THE ASIAN WHO'S WHO AWARDS 2005
(Thursday 24th November)

The Asian Who's Who Awards this year celebrated its 30th anniversary of publishing the Asian Who's Who annual guide to the great and good of the Asian community. Asian Who's Who International was established in 1975 as a direct result of negative press associated with the perceived high levels of immigration at the time. Its mission was to highlight the contribution made by Asians to the fabric of UK.

This year's guests included previous award-winners from the very first 'Asian the Year' - Lord (Biku) Parekh (prof.) to Sir Gulam Noon, and Karan Bilimoria CBE DL. Other previous winners include Imran Khan, Raj Loomba, and Baroness Shreela Flather. Winner of Asian of the Year is decided every year by a specially commissioned panel. This panel has included Sir Anwar Pervez OBE, Sir GK Noon, Lord (Navnit) Dholakia, Dr Kartar Lalvani and Lord (Swaraj) Paul.

ASIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2005 - SURINA NARULA

In the past fifteen years, Surina has organised over 20 major events to raise both funds and more importantly, the profile of street children and their needs at local, national and international levels. She has received several awards for her contribution to causes for street children. In 2003 was highly commended for The Beacon Prize in recognition of her outstanding contribution to charitable and social causes.

ASIAN LEADERSHIP IN EUROPE AWARD - R S BAXI

R S Baxi arrived in the UK, from his native Tanzania in 1974, and with the support of his wife & co-Director, Harvinder, founded, in 1980, their own company J & H Sales (International) Ltd., of which Mr. Baxi is Chairman & Managing Director.

ASIAN LEADERSHIP IN DIVERSITY AWARD

Dr Avtar Lit. Founder of Sunrise Radio, Avtar Lit, arrived in the UK at the age of 12 and could not speak a word of English but today he is the boss of the largest commercial radio network in the world. He has pioneered Asian Radio for over 20 years, setting up successful Radio Stations in the USA, UK, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

This year, 500 specially invited guests attended, including leading businessmen and women, UK politicians and peers as well as performances by Priya Kalidas (Bombay Dreams) and Rouge.

The event is highly significant as not only does it mark the launch of this prestigious publication but it is also the forum for the announcement of the Asian of the Year Award 2005 and two new awards for 2005: the Asian Leadership in Europe Award and Asian Leadership in Diversity Award.

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