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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 26th October 2013
Keith Vazwith MP
Keith Vaz MP
Dame Anne
- but I’ve never forgotten the people I worked with first at JCWI and who taught me so much. Vishnu Sharma’s calm wisdom developed over decades, Ann Dummett’s perceptive analysis of racism, Ian Martin’s leadership – all gave me models of what was important and how to tackle it.
Dame Anne Owers was appointed Chair of the IPCC in February 2012 for a five year term. Her role is part time and non-executive. Anne was HM Chief Inspector of Prisons from 2001 to 2010 with a remit that included inspections of prisons, immigration removal centres and police custody. Between 2010 and 2011 she chaired an independent review of the prison system in Northern Ireland. She is currently a non-executive director of the Criminal Cases Review Commission and holds a number of voluntary roles, mainly in the area of penal policy and activity. 1. Please tell me about your current position? I am currently Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, and was previously Chief Inspector of Prisons 2. What are your proudest achievements? As the first person in my family to go to university, I’m very conscious of how much I owe them, and I hope they would be proud of what I’ve done
with that inheritance. 3. What inspires you? The people I meet – both those who have lived through painful or difficult experiences, and those who are committed to changing systems for the better.
children – but it was worth it, and I was very lucky to be given opportunities within the voluntary sector.
4. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career? Getting back into the job market at the age of 34 after spending time with my three small
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date? There are so many, as I’ve worked with some great people
6. What is the best aspect about your current role? The fact that the IPCC’s work can make a real difference – for individuals, and to policing as a whole. 7. And the worst? When we fail to live up to the expectations, particularly of bereaved families – and when our work is misrepresented or misunderstood.
goals? To spend more time with my husband and six lovely grandchildren – but in the meantime, to develop and expand the IPCC, and the public’s trust in us. 9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change? I would invest more in the neglected area of mental health. Not only does this cause huge distress to individuals and families directly affected, but it also drives crime and criminalisation of the mentally ill, who too often end up in prisons or police stations because of a lack of proper care outside. That affects us all. 10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why? Leonardo da Vinci – both for the breadth of his knowledge, and also because he might be able to invent a wonderful machine for getting us off the island.
World Punjabi Organisation hosts Inspirational Annual Dinner
The luxurious Park Lane Hotel was host to the World Punjabi Organisation's Annual Dinner on Wednesday 16th October, where four World War Veterans from the Sikh regiment were presented with the Jewel of Punjab (Punjab Ratan) award. Britain’s Secretary of State for Community Welfare, Rt Hon Eric Pickles presented the coveted awards to 100year-old Samitter Singh, 93-year-old Gulzara Singh, 92-year-old Rajinder Singh Dutt and 89-year-old Mukhtiar Singh Rai, for their patriotism and dedicated service during the Second World War. A Charitable services award was presented to A P S Chawla, founder chairman of the Roko Cancer, for raising awareness of Breast Cancer. Also a cheque for £2,000 was presented to Gurpal S.Oppal who ran the London Marathon to raise funds for Bowel Cancer Charity. The Award ceremony was attended by many dignitaries including Lord Andrew Feldman, Chairman, Conservative Party, Lord Navnit
8. What are your long term
tributions of Sikhs particularly during the World War.” Mr Shailesh Vara, also in attendance, was welcomed as the First Conservative Gujarati Minister in Her Majesty’s government & was specially garlanded on the occasion. Son of a Gujarati carpenter, Shailesh said though the ethnic community from South Asia accounted for four per cent of the population, their contribution to the Exchequer was over ten per cent. He told the youths that “if you work hard you can achieve your dream in this country. Take it from me, a carpenters son who is now a gov-
called the British people this is our country, have your ambitions and I promise you, you will be able to achieve them.” Rt Hon Eric Pickles said: “You deserve a lot of credit, you're the people here who pay taxes, who give that commitment to Britain, set up businesses and that is what is making Britain great again. We need to understand that we are changing for the better, we are stronger because of the Punjabi population. We are stronger because of the Chief Guests Lord Feldman, Sec. Of State Rt Hon Eric Pickles , Minister Shailesh Vara, roots of the Punjab.” President WPO R S Baxi & committee members with the recipients of Punjab Ratan “We want to be friends Dholakia, Deputy Leader of sacrifices, patriotism extended an invitation to with India because of of Liberal Democrats in and dedication of the Sikh Rt Hon Eric Pickles to what India offers. It is a the House of Lords, Warriors and the British visit Punjab and especially new democracy, a fresh Minister Shailesh “our most Holiest exciting place. Vara, Judge Mota Shrine, Amritsar” on Whether it is going Singh, Lord Diljit his next visit to India. to be an Indian Rana, Lord Raj “We still remember Century or not, I Loomba and Lord with pride, the recent can guarantee that Indarjit Singh. visit of Prime we will be standing Speaking on the Minister David side by side with occasion, R S Baxi, Cameron to Amritsar, India in the coming President of WPO and we would love to decades” (European Division) see you visit there Lord Feldman “A lot more needs Lord Dholakia presenting cheque also,” he said. lauded the contributo be done to restore to Mr Gurpal Oppal with Minister Lord Dholakia tion of Sikhs to the Shailesh Vara the legacy of our falllauded the efforts of British economy, en heroes as we preBaxi in keeping the saying “the times Minister Shailesh Vara welcomed by Punjab community pare to commemorate in soldiers who fought are changing and the President Mr R S Baxi, Dr M S Duggal together and high- Senior V President , Dr M S lamba Gen Sec C o n s e r v a t i v e s 2014, 100 years since the together for a better and lighting their achieveoutbreak of the first world safer today.” believe in the family ments. He said “one war. ”The visit certainly On behalf of the values and hard work just ernment minster. We are can never forget the conbrought heroic memories Punjabi Community, Baxi as you do.” part of the community
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