Author Saurav Dutt's passion to help others has taken him from the law text book to writing his own novel which shines a spotlight on a subject often stigmatised in his own community - domestic abuse.
The 36-year-old moved from Calcutta when he was just six months old. While his career path entered the legal world, it also opened doors into the taboo of domestic abuse and discrimination against LGBT communities in south east Asian communties.
Three years after his novel, The Butterfly Room which encompasses interviews with survivors, the writer is now being recognised for his work which explores healing, forgiveness and happiness.
After interviewing up to 200 women who endured years of torment, manipulation and abuse - physical and psychological, Mr Dutt encapsulated their experiences into his first book - The Butterfly Room.
The novel which follows a family in Britain explores LGBT rights, the stigmatisation of domestic abuse and how attitudes filter down into modern society.
However it is his most recent novel, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out which has sparked a second wave of recognition.
The book was published earlier this year and brings to life the real experiences of three women who have survived domestic abuse.
The campaigner also regularly donates proceeds of his book sales to charities supporting the issues he explores.
Refuge, Southall Black Sisters, Women’s Aid, Stonewall UK, and Amnesty International are among the charities which benefited from book sales of The Butterfly Room.
Mr Dutt is one of the 32 finalists in this year's Asian Awards set to take place on September 14 in London's Grosvenor House Hotel.
The Ealing author and lawyer said he is "honoured" to be along the star-studded line up and has previously been shortlisted by Guardian Books and LA Times.
