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Asian Voice - Saturday 17th July 2010
British Punjabis 2010
British Punjabis 2010 By Maninder Kaur
The evening of July 8th 2010 saw Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar launch a one of it's kind project at Cavendish Banqueting Suite, London. The special magazine issue, 'British Punjabis 2010' was launched with the crème de la crème of the Punjabi community. Amongst the high profile names, Baroness Sandip Verma, Minister for International Development and Equalities and Women was the Chief Guest for the occasion, while Deputy High Commissioner for India, Shri Rajesh N Prasad presided over the events of the evening. From 6.30pm esteemed guests graced their presence, adding to the buzzing atmosphere of the evening. The event was opened by compere Nikki Bhogal, who called on to stage Shri Rajesh N Prasad, Baroness Verma, Jagdish Chander (Director of India Tourist Office UK), Mrs Tarlochan Suri (wife of Mr Ranbir Suri founder of British Asian Conservative Link) and Mr CB Patel (Publisher and Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar) to light the ceremonial lamp, followed by Sikh and Hindu prayers. The 68 page glossy magazine was formally launched by Shri Rajesh N Prasad and Baroness Verma. It is one of the most comprehensive compilations on British Punjabis. It traces the history of Punjab and subsequent migration of Punjabis to UK, right from ancient Indus Valley civilisation to the modern-day Southall. It also profiles current Punjabi icons from all walks of life such as public figures Sir Mota Singh and Paul Uppal, business barons Joginder Sanger, Surinder Arora and Nat Puri. It even features the new generation such as Kulveer Ranger and artists-The Singh Twins, who proudly wear
L - R: Mr C B Patel (Publisher/Editor Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice), Mr Jagdish Chander (Director for India Tourist Office UK), Mrs Tarlochan Suri (wife of Mr Ranbir Suri Chairman of British Asian Conservative Link), His Excellency Shri Rajesh N Prasad (Deputy High Commissioner for India), Baroness Sandip Verma (Minister for International Development and Minister for Equalities and Women in House of Lords) in the Deep Ceremony for the Launch of "British Punjabis 2010"
their Punjabi identity on their sleeves. With many successful Punjabis in the audience, a few selected names took to the stage to represent
International Limited opened the speeches, talking about Punjabis in banking. This was followed by Ranbir Suri on politics, Avtar Lit (Owner
Raj Loomba then gave a touching speech about his personal journey in setting up the Loomba foundation, which cares for widows around India. A renowned Bengali jourGuest List for “British Punjabis 2010” nalist, Mr Ashis Ray Baroness Sandip Verma: Chief Guest for launch of “British (President of Indian Punjabis 2010” Journalist Association) His Excellency Shri Rajesh N Prasad (Deputy High spoke on the print Commissioner for India): Event was presided by His media. He also added Excellency how the spirit of Mr Jagdish Chander: Director for India Tourist Office 'Indianess' is bigger Mr S R Sharma: Managing Director for Punjab National Bank than any communal Lord Daljit Rana: House of Lords feeling in Britain, as the Mr Ranbir Suri: Chairman for British Asian Conservative Link evening witnessed a Dr Gurdip S. Gujral: President for International Punjabi history in the making- a Society European Divisio Gujarati launching a Mr Chander Goyal: Far Fillimore Care Homes Ltd magazine for the Mr Raj Loomba: Founder and Chairman of “The Loomba Punjabis. Foundation” The evening then Mr Krishan Bhatiya: Independent Journalist turned to Honey Dance Mr N S Shergill: Editor, Indians Abroad Academy for a enerMr & Mrs Ram Jaggi: Moon Travels getic Bhangra Mr Paul Riat: Lotus Worldwide Bollywood dance which Mr Ashis Ray: President, Indian Journalist Association lit the pristine white Dr Avtar Litt: Chairman of Litt Corporation banqueting hall with Mr & Mrs H S Luther: The Mortgage Power the sounds of the Mr Kuldeep and Mr Paul: Kool Cakes Punjab. Mr Manjit Mr Dak Patel: London SAM Singh from Amar radio Mr Rajen Sehgal: Skylords Travels PLC kept up the spirits with Mr Hiren Patel: Seven Home and Away a passionate and upliftMahendra Gohil: Hari Om Holidays ing speech in Punjabi, Mr Manuram: Bhagwanji and Sons highlighting the sacriMrs Ritu Sethi: Sethi Partnership Solicitors fices Punjabis have J S Sacher: Asian Who’s Who made through history. Nick Parmar: Premier House Banqueting CB Patel then folMr Manjit Gehdu: Amar Radio lowed with a short Mr Rami Ranger: Sunmark Ltd speech, regretfully Debarshi Pandit: Sony TV informing that editor in Miss Shalini Bhargava: Anderson Ross Solicitors chief Virendra Sharma Mr T S Sahani: President for Punjabi Society of Brit Ilse was unable to attend Mr Vinod Thakrar: Louhana - Hon Secretary the event due to his Mr Chamanlal Chaman: Punjab Radio parliamentary obligaMr Sathi Ludhiyanvi: Sunrise Radio tions, and proceeded to announce the upcoming of Sunrise Radio) on elecPunjabis in prominent magazine special 'British tronic media, Gurdip professions. Mr S R Tamils.' He thanked Gujral (President of Sharma, Managing everyone for their presInternational Director of Punjab Punjabi ence in supporting the National Bank Society) on business. Mr
L - R: Mr Chander Goyal (Far Fillimore Care Homes Ltd) , Mr Romy Nayar( Holiday Mood), Vikas Puri (Academic College) and L. George(ABPL Group)
L - R: Mr Akbar Lakhani (Cavendish Banqueting), Waitering Staff, His Excellency Shri Rajesh N Prasad (Deputy High Commissioner for India) and Extreme Right MR Jiten Gokani (Exquisite Events UK)
L - R: Mr C B Patel (Publisher and Editor for Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice), His Excellency Shri Rajesh N Prasad (Deputy High Commissioner for India) and Miss Nikki Bhogal (Master of Ceremony) inaugurating "British Punjabis 2010" A4 size Glossy Magazine
launch of British Punjabis magazine. Chief guest Baroness Verma followed with an inspiring speech who whilst accredited the successes of the Punjabi community, drew on issues yet to be addressed. “We actually have very little voice politically, because when one Punjabi gets up to do something, very often instead of supporting that Punjabi we tend to say, why should he or she succeed and I get left behind? United is the way we succeed. If we don't because we get envious of other people's success, I'm sorry to say, we will stay outside of the main system.” Baroness Verma then closed her speech thanking her 'brother' CB Patel, and expressing their shared mission. “Our mission is to make sure that everybody understands that whether they are from the Punjabi community or Gujarati community, they are from one community that originates from the greatest land on earth.” Jagdish Chander, followed with a short but effective speech expressing his thanks for a lovely evening and congratulating CB on the launch of the British Punjabis magazine. The speeches of the evening came to a close with Shri Rajesh N Prasad. “The people from the Punjab are one lot of people who dare to experiment and innovate, they have moved from
their homeland to other parts of the world to seek a new life. The association of people of the Punjab to the UK conveys our independence. This evening is a fine tribute to arguably two of the most enterprising communities in the UK today of Indian origin.” Finally Project coordinator of British Punjabis 2010, Nikhil Gor gave a vote of thanks to guests and all those who contributed to the magazine and organisation of the event. Nikhil also announced the prestigious 2010 Asian Achievers Awards, which will be held on Thursday 30th September at the Wembley stadium. While the formal proceedings had ended, the event went on as a traditional vegeterian Punjabi buffet was served and guests mingled for the remainder of the evening. Mr Sathiji and Chamanlalji entertained the guests with Punjabi poetry and Shayris, while the guests enjoyed the dinner and readings of 'British Punjabis 2010.' The event was a stupendous success, broadcast live on Amar radio and photographed by Raj D. Bakrania. Coverage of the evening will also be shown on B4U very soon. It was a fine tribute to the Punjabis throughout history as well as those who have built on those strong foundations today.
Audience during the launch of "British Punjabis 2010" A4 size Glossy Magazine