The shortlist has been announced for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2008. A total of 44 Asian women have been short-listed for this year's prestigious awards and the judging is now underway. Asian women in line for the coveted awards range from entrepreneur Hasfa Abubacker, who has generated a turnover of £8.5m in just four years for Pitchwell, a company she started in the spare room of her flat, through to Iran-born Mehri Niknam MBE, who has worked tirelessly on Muslim-Jewish relations for the past two decades, most recently as founder and executive of the Joseph Interfaith Foundation. Other candidates include choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh, actress Nina Wadia, journalist and broadcaster Navdip Dhariwal, and Kiss Radio's DJ Neev.

The winners will be announced at London's Park Lane Hilton on 20 May 2008. Co-founded by Pinky Lilani OBE and organised by Real Business magazine, the Asian Women of Achievement Awards is an inspirational event now in its ninth year. The awards recognise all levels of achievement made by Asian women in the UK - whether professional or personal - within the commercial, professional, artistic and humanitarian sectors.

The full shortlist is split into eight categories:

THE ARTS & CULTURE AWARD

For women flourishing in the world of performing arts, management of the arts and creative writing.

• Shobana Jeyasingh
• Wasfi Kani OBE
• Janet Steel
• Stella Subbiah
• Manjinder Virk
• Nina Wadia

BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR - CORPORATE AWARD

For an individual thriving in corporate Britain who has made, and is making, a significant contribution to the success of their organisation.

• Julie Chakraverty
• Naeema Choudry
• Ruby McGregor-Smith
• Fiona Owen
• Sayeda Rafiq

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD

For a woman who has taken the risk and has successfully set up and is running her own business.

• Hasfa Abubacker
• Nahid de Belgeonne
• Dr Rabinder Buttar
• Imtaz Khaliq
• Pally Pagliuca

MEDIA PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD

Unique individuals working in the areas of broadcast, print or electronic media.

• Kishwar Desai
• Navdip Dhariwal
• Arti Lukha
• DJ Neev
• Teji Singh

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD

For women who have trained and qualified in their chosen professional practice and have become a leading practitioner - setting an example to other women and having their contribution acknowledged by their peers.

• Gauri Advani
• Amrita Ahluwalia
• Afshan Ahmed
• Sue Ashtiany
• Sharmila Mehta
• Nina Salooja

THE PUBLIC SECTOR AWARD

For women who have achieved success within senior executive and non-executive roles in the civil service, quangos, universities and national institutions.

• Professor Soraya Dhillon
• Mumtaz Kassam
• Nargis Khan
• Asha Khemka
• Sabeena Qureshi

THE SOCIAL & HUMANITARIAN AWARD

For special women involved in social and humanitarian work, whether they are individuals working for non-profit organisations or the corporate world contributing to the voluntary sector.

• Abida Iqbal
• Rajinder Mann
• Mehri Niknam MBE
• Parveen Sheikh
• Bala Thakrar

YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Any woman under 30 who has done something incredible, inspirational or is simply the best at what she does.

• Aliye Ninon Cornish
• Nishma Gosrani
• Rachel Liew
• Snigdha Singh
• Nikita Thakrar

ABOUT THE ASIAN WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Co-founded by Pinky Lilani OBE and Munir Samji in 1999, the Asian Women of Achievement Awards is a truly exciting and inspirational event that takes place annually in London. The awards applaud and celebrate the commitment, dedication and determination of Asian women from all over the country and from all walks of life. The awards have grown in strength and scope to become a sell-out each year.

Tickets to the awards ceremony are available from the Asian Women of Achievement Awards office on 020 7368 7129 or via the awards' website www.awaawards.com.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Click here to read about Pinky Lilani, founder of the AWA Awards.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2007 winners.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2007 shortlist.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2007 picture gallery.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2006 winners.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2006 shortlist.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2005 winners.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2005 shortlist.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2005 picture gallery.
Click here for the AWA Awards 2004 winners
Click here for the AWA Awards 2004 picture gallery.
Click here to read about the AWA Awards 2004 shortlist
Click here to read about AWA Awards 2003 winners.
Click here to read about the AWA Awards 2003 shortlist.
Click here to read about AWA Awards 2002 winners.
Click here to read about the AWA Awards 2002 shortlist.
Click here to read about AWA Awards 2001 winners.
Click here to read to about the AWA Awards 2001 shortlist.