Sujan Katuwal is the owner of Panas Gurkha Restaurant in Lewisham and founder of Panas Helping Hands: a charity based in South East London dedicated to helping those who need it most within the community. Sujan has lived and worked in the UK for 24 years, having left his homeland of Nepal behind. He is proud of both his Nepalese roots and his life in London.
As COVID-19 struck, Sujan was forced to close his restaurant like so many others. Seeing the awful scenes around him, he was determined to do something to support his community. Using the resources of his restaurant and industry contacts, Sujan began to provide hot meals for the NHS and other key workers, as well as the most vulnerable within the local community. This included the Greenwich Gurkha Ex-Serviceman Association, providing both food and clothing.
The Charity successfully delivered 100,000 meals - with Dame Joanna Lumley delivering it personally and becoming Patron of the Charity. The work of the Charity continues to support all within the SE London community who need it.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
Great Britain is where I feel most at home. I’ve lived here for 24 years and I’ve never once looked back or regretting it. My children were born and raised here and to me it feels very much like home.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
One of my proudest achievements is undoubtedly becoming a Freeman of the City of London – a huge honour I could not have dreamt of 24 years ago when I first arrived in London. Of course, our 100,000 meal drive for the NHS and other Key Workers alongside Dame Joanna Lumley will always be up there too!
3) What inspires you?
I am inspired most by the responses we receive whenever delivering food to those who need it – whether that be homeless shelters, community centres, food banks or hospitals, it always makes me realise how important what we do is.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
COVID undoubtedly was a huge obstacle for my career, as it was for many restaurant owners at the time. I was closed to giving up everything. However, it did also inspire me to begin my charity journey so it isn’t all bad!
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
Without a doubt, my parents have been my biggest influence. I come from a very humble beginning, but my parents always worked hard to make sure this did not hold us back and taught me that anything is possible in life if you’re willing to work for it.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
It is so rewarding and humbling that everyday we are able to see real change in our local community through our work. Very few jobs offer you that opportunity and we are very blessed to have that.
7) And the worst?
It can be frustrating at times when people overpromise and under deliver. Ultimately, this does not impact me personally but can have huge ramifications to those we are trying our hardest to help. It isn’t fair on them.
8) What are your long term goals?
I want to keep growing Panas Helping Hands; expanding our work and also expanding the area in which we help people. We have so much energy and drive to help others and we want to share that with as many people as we can.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
If I was Prime Minister I would work to cut down on homelessness and eradicate poverty. We see first hand those who are caught in this awful life and I would want to make sure no one ever has to live like that.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
I would want to spend my time on a desert island with Sadhguru if I could. He would help me keep calm through his teaching of meditation and yoga, which I would probably need!
