EducAtion Voice
www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 2nd March 2013
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Lord Gulam Noon appointed as the Chancellor of UEL Family hosts gala dinner to celebrate their Dad’s success Rupanjana Dutta
What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories - George Eliot
“He (Lord Noon) stands for everything that is best about our country. Those of us who came as first generation immigrants in Britain, his story is even more remarkable. He has achieved so much. He shows what the next generation can achieve. That's why his life is so important and he remains the ultimate role model,” added Keith. Lord Bhikhu Parekh structurally analysed the complex characteristics of the relationship viz. 'friendship' in the light of his bond with Lord Noon and paid tribute to his towering commitment. “Behind Gulam's success not only there is wonderful Mohini, but his entire family- children and grand children. I take this opportunity to salute Gulam's family and all his friends who made this occasion successful,” said Lord Parekh. Daughter Zarmin, who flew in from Singapore, in a very emotional speech said, “...Dad we don’t say Lord Noon addressing the audience at the dinner enough, but we love you and admire in 2-3 months a factory will be opened in you. As actress Hedy Lamarr rightly said, India. He also spoke about charitable 'I am not ashamed to say that no man I work, his Charitable Trust that has eduever met was my father's equal, and I cated 20,000 youngsters in India, and never loved any other man as much.'” said, “the only thing you will ever leave Speaking about his newly acquired behind is what you do for the underprivirole, Lord Noon told Asian Voice, “I am leged” and emphasised that his narrow both proud and excited to be taking on escape from death in the 2008 Mumbai this role at UEL. This is a great institucarnage was due to the prayers of those tion, with a strong record of providing souls he touched through his charitable opportunities for all to improve and work. develop. I am looking forward to helping Talking about his recent visit to India them continue their good work, encourwith PM Cameron, Lord Noon said that aging diversity and developing entreprehe signed a MoU with the Sahara Group neurship alongside academic excellence.” to open an India Centre in the University
Photo courtesy: Ash Bosamia, Kee Photographics
It was a cold Monday evening. While the city went to sleep early in anticipation of a grey and busy week ahead, the Edwardian room in Crown Plaza Hotel, St James’s, gleamed with warmth, love and respect from family, friends and colleagues, celebrating the recent achievement of Lord Gulam Noon. The leading and famous entrepreneur Lord Gulam Noon was appointed as the new Chancellor of the University of East London (UEL) in a ceremony at the House of Lords on Monday 28th January. To commemorate this fantastic achievement, Lord Noon's daughters Zeenat and Zarmin, grand daughter Natania, son in laws Arun Harnal and Manraj Sekhon threw a gala dinner for their Dad's close ones. Invited were leading businessmen, family friends, cousins, UEL colleagues, students and fellow politicians including Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP, Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Lord Prof Kamlesh Patel, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Baroness Shreela Flather, Baroness Usha Prashar, Stephen Pound, MP, Barry Gardiner, MP to name a few. The MoC for the evening was Lord Prof Kamlesh Patel, a personal friend of the Noon family, who entertained the guests with his exceptionally witty comments and observations. There were speeches by family and fellow colleagues and everybody highlighted a particular aspect of their fond relationship with Lord Noon. Messages were read out from Rt Hon Hazel Blears, MP and Hinduja brothers, who could not be present on this joyful occasion. Natania, Lord Noon's grand daughter was the first one to speak and she said“It was not very long ago when my grandad or dad as I call him was knighted and I said that time it was the pinnacle of his fabulous life. And how wrong I was! For a man who has many many feathers in cap, obviously there was one missing. So congratulations Chancellor. For those who don’t know him very well, his belief in life has always been to give back to the society, to the needy and the deserving. This desire of helping he has inherited from his elders, in particularly from his mother who always supported the local schools, hospitals for 70 years in their home village Bhawani Mandi, in one of the most underdeveloped part of Rajasthan at the time. They never dreamt that this passion will be so heavily ingrained in him that actually one day not only will he expand on their vision but take it to a higher level. I am sure my great grandmother and others will be extremely proud of him as we all are in the family. His new role will lead him through many challenges and I know he will fulfil them with new renewed vigour and passion. He often said that this comes from the fact he never graduated himself, due to pressing family obligations at that time. But as a very famous American jury once said, formal education will make you a living, self education will make you a fortune... Lord Noon's commitment to mentor-
ing and encouraging young brains to explore the world of education for achieving their goals is well documented by, supporting education at institutions here and in India. He is more of a believer of Nelson Mandela's view that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world. So here's to ‘dad’ and lots of success in your role as Chancellor.” Following a short video on UEL, Pro Vice Chancellor Selena Bolingbroke said that everyone from UEL was absolutely thrilled that Lord Noon accepted their invitation to become their Chancellor. “UEL has been well served over the years by Lord Brian Rix as our Chancellor, and when he decided to step down last year, he left us a very very difficult task of filling his shoes. Finding a suitable Chancellor is never an easy task. They must be inspirational, must be passionate about education, and they must share University's values. And it is in Lord Noon we have found someone who more than fulfils those criterion. He is a perfect match for UEL with his entrepreneurial spirit, his drive to succeed against the odds, his international angle and of
Lord Gulam Noon with wife Lady Mohini Noon, daughters Zeenat and Zarmin, grand daughter Natania, son in law Arun Harnal, friend Lord Prof Kamlesh Patel and family
course his keen interest in sport...,” she added. Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP cheering for the family's support behind Lord Noon's success, especially that of Lady Mohini Noon, narrated stories from the past, about his visit to Lord Noon's Southall factory with his late mother, just after it burned down and spoke about the values Lord Noon has been renowned for.
He told the audience about his commitment to his company, his values, ethics and social service. He narrated how his mother valued 'giving back to the society' by doing something for the poor. He also said, “No one can say you alone achieved everything. Your success is owed to the people who you work with.” He shared the news of his latest curry food venture in India and confirmed that
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of East London. He also spoke about the greatness of this country (Britain) and the equal opportunity it gives to all, irrespective of any race, religion or caste. The vote of thanks was given by his daughter Zeenat, and the evening came to a close with a toast raised to celebrate Lord Noon's extraordinary life and many more successes to come.