The evening of Thursday 2 March saw the Members Dining Room in the Palace of Westminster bursting with excitement, to celebrate the achievement of 19 individuals from different walks of life at the 11th Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards. Winners included popular names like campaigner Gina Miller, actor Dev Patel, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police and the UK-lead for counterterrorism, Mark Rowley and 2016 UK Premier League Champion- Leicester City Football Club's former Manager Claudio Ranieri. The compere for the evening was Sheena Bhattessa and Chief Guest was Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Eleanor Laing MP.
The Deputy High Commissioner of India to UK, Ambassador Dinesh Patnaik, calling the winners 'the heroes we need today' said, “It is very important in today's world, when there is so much turmoil all over, that, we have heroes to look up to and to incentivise to do better... The awards are a great way to tell people that we recognise the fact that we are doing well in a community, system, society, in a country and in the world at large...” His Excellency gave away the Philanthropists of the Year award to brothers Vijay and Bhiku Patel.
Accepting her award as the Campaigner of the Year, Ms Miller, whose fight against this Government over Brexit will go down in the annals of legal and parliamentary history, a story perhaps worthy of the Oscars, in her true spirit said, “Every single of us have a responsibility and a mind to speak our minds...I am here not because of my successes but because of my failures...Do not ever underestimate the strength of your voice, conscience and actions. One person can take on those who talk about things that are morally and intellectually indefensible and if we all come together in a stream of consciousness which means that we will preserve what makes our society so great...”
Mark Rowley, the Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police and the UK-lead for counterterrorism was introduced as the 'reason we can sleep soundly at night'. Accepting his awards and attributing a great deal of the success to the unique relationship between the Police and community, he said, “I take this award on behalf of all the policemen and women in this country.”
The Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards represent a modest effort to honour number of outstanding individuals who serve society in their own special way, and who contribute significantly, in whatever they do, towards making a better world today and for the future.
Owing to the century old tradition of participation in the political process in the UK, Women and People equally participate in political and public life in a number of ways, from holding office as political representatives, to exercising citizenship rights such as voting, and to playing an active role in community and voluntary organisations.
These awards are given annually to individuals who have made a special impact in the preceding 12 months, ranging from international politicians to individuals who have made a big difference in their local communities.
As in previous years, the competition for awards is extremely strong. This is a unique event where readers nominate and an independent panel of judges comprising of eminent personalities selects the winners.
CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice said: “On the 10th anniversary of our awards, like every year, we have recognised some incredible people who have made enormous contributions to politics and public life.
“I am so thrilled that we can celebrate the achievements of those who have made a positive difference to Britain, regardless of their political party, race, colour or religion. Congratulation winners, please keep up your good work.”
Chief Guest Eleanor Laing said, “It is my great honour to be involved and I am delighted to present the awards. It's wonderful to see so many people coming together who have made such difference in all they have done over a lifetime's work and service, and not just for themselves but for the communities around them.
“I had the very great pleasue of visiting Gujarat (Surat) last week, and I could see that it has a wonderfully vibrant community. The thing that delighted me the most while I was there, was the importance of the close ties, the brotherhood between the United Kingdom and India and indeed the whole of Asia and Subcontinent...
“It's wonderful to have these celebrations this evening. I would like to thank Mr Patel and Asian Voice, for all you do, by bringing all our communities together, through out the world. I congratulate everyone who have won an award tonight and also all those who have supported everyone who has won an award.
“I am delighted that the House of Commons could provide with the backdrop for this wonderful celebrations.”
This year's distinguished winners are:
- Campaigner of the Year: Gina Miller
- Minister of the Year: Rory Stewart MP OBE
- Sports Personality of the Year: Claudio Ranieri
- Shadow Minister of the Year: Rt Hon Diane Abbott MP
- Public Service Award: Mark Rowley QPM, Assistant Commissioner
- Actor of the Year: Dev Patel
- International Diversity Award: Mary Ellen Powers
- Philanthropists of the Year: Bhiku Patel and Dr Vijay Patel
- Political Book of the Year: Sir Craig Oliver
- Conservative Backbencher of the Year: David Morris MP
- Lifetime Achievement Award: H. S. Rao, The Press Trust of India
- Northern Ireland MP of the Year: Jim Shannon MP
- Peer of the Year: Baroness Brady CBE
- Award for Community Service: Dipti Mistry, Bhaarat Welfare Trust
- Pharmacist of the Year: Jimmy Desai
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Harnoop Atkar
- Business Performance and Innovation in Health Industry: St George's Medical Ltd
- Doctor of the Year: Professor Nadey Hakim
- Liberal Democrat of the Year: Tim Farron MP
