Asian Business Awards honour over a dozen business personalities; pay tributes to Ugandan-Asian community
The annual award ceremony, which was hosted by the Asian Media Group, saw several dignitaries gathering at the Westminster Bridge Park Plaza in central London.
By Eastern Eye staffNov 24, 2022
AN industrialist whose business encompasses textiles, fertilizers and PET resin, a hotelier who advocates for London and an accomplished healthcare entrepreneur were among top winners at the Asian Business Awards in London last night (23).
Indorama’s Sri Prakash Lohia; Tony Matharu; and LycaHealth’s Prema Subaskaran were recognised for their high achievements at the annual event, which celebrates the best of Asian businesses in the UK.
More than a dozen businessmen and women were honoured on the night, which also saw the launch of the 2022 Asian Rich List, featuring the 101 wealthiest Asians in Britain.
London mayor Sadiq Khan at Asian Business Awards 2022
And in a year that marked the 50th anniversary of the expulsion of Asians from Uganda, the Asian Business Awards paid tribute to key members of the community through the presentation of the Pearls of Ugandaawards.
Pharmacy businessman Dr Nik Kotecha and trade envoy Lord Dolar Popat and four others were honoured with the special awards.
Dr Nik Kotecha (second from left) receiving the Pearls of Uganda award
Chief guest of the evening, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden said, “It truly is an honour to be here in a room of so many talented and esteemed guests. The sheer dynamism is incredible, a driving force to inspire the next generation of British entrepreneurs and professionals.
“The British Asian community continues to grow in stature. But of course, this comes as no surprise to me personally (Dowden’s mother worked in a pharmacy run by Asian family and his first job was working in a warehouse run by Asians).
“So throughout my life, I have seen firsthand the hard work, determination and entrepreneurship of the British Asian community.”
The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden
More than 500 guests gathered at the Westminster Bridge Park Plaza in central London for the annual celebration of Asian businesses. The awards are hosted by the Asian Media Group, publishers of Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat newsweeklies.
AMG’s group managing director, Kalpesh Solanki, said, “Asian businesses are the vital engine of growth for every economy. For 24 years, the Asian Business Awards has been seen as the most significant and important way of recognising, celebrating and encouraging excellence in the Asian business community.
“As we celebrate success, we must remember that entrepreneurship is a noble endeavour, creating jobs and providing employment is to give someone a livelihood, a purpose, an opportunity to fulfil their dreams. And the Asian community has been at the forefront of this endeavour.”
Kalpesh Solanki, Managing Director, Asian Media Group
London mayor Sadiq Khan, who unveiled the 2022 Asian Rich List, said, “The fact that the Asian Business Awards, the biggest celebration of Asian business success in Britain, is now in its 24th year really illustrates the colossal contribution Asian businesses make to our city and our country.
“London and the UK surely are better served stronger and more successful because of the efforts and accomplishments of everyone in this room.”
(L to R) Shailesh Solanki, Inderneel, Sadiq Khan, Kalpesh Solanki
In all, 13 Asian Business Awards were presented on the night.
Westcombe Group’s founder Vraj Pankhania and his sons Kamal and Sunil took part in a panel discussion about how they built one of the most recognisable and successful luxury property development companies in the UK.
“My father started working for the British Army in the construction industry, building camps and he was always been in the construction industry. So the property runs in, in the blood,” said Vraj.
(L TO R) Shailesh Solanki, Kamal Pankhania, Sri Prakash Lohia, Kalpesh Solanki, Nihal Arthanayake
“I was only 17 When I came here, and obviously had no money at all and had to start working buying and selling cars, until such a time that I have about £1000 depsoit and I managed to buy a £10,000 house in Westcombe. We tidied it up and sold it for £14,000.
“And from there on, I've never had to look backwards, buying buildings after buildings after buildings.”
Winners included hotelier Koolesh Shah, whose eponymous foundation has supported charities tackling poverty, homelessness and mental health. The Koolesh Shah Foundation won the Asian Business Philanthropy Award.
Newly appointed home secretary Shabana Mahmood arrives at Number 10 at Downing Street as Keir Starmer holds a cabinet reshuffle on September 5, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
The King approved a series of new appointments on Friday. David Lammy becomes lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice, and will also serve as deputy prime minister. Yvette Cooper has been named secretary of state for foreign, commonwealth and development affairs.
Mahmood moves from justice secretary to the Home Office. Lisa Nandy will stay on as culture secretary despite months of speculation about her future.
Steve Reed is the new secretary of state for housing, communities and local government. Pat McFadden has been appointed secretary of state for work and pensions.
Peter Kyle is the new secretary of state for business and trade and president of the Board of Trade. Liz Kendall takes over as secretary of state for science, innovation and technology. Emma Reynolds becomes secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs. Douglas Alexander has been named secretary of state for Scotland.
Jonathan Reynolds has been appointed parliamentary secretary to the Treasury (chief whip) and will sit in cabinet. Sir Alan Campbell becomes lord president of the council and leader of the House of Commons, and will also attend cabinet.
Darren Jones has been appointed chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and will continue as chief secretary to the prime minister.
Angela Rayner, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray have left the government.
Rayner resigned earlier after admitting she had underpaid stamp duty on a seaside flat. In a letter to Starmer, ethics chief Laurie Magnus said Rayner had failed to "heed the caution" of legal advice and considered the ministerial code to have been breached.
"I accept that I did not meet the highest standards," Rayner wrote in her resignation letter, adding she would also step down as housing minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party. "I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice. I take full responsibility for this error."
In his reply, Starmer said he was "very sad" to see her leave government but added: "You will remain a major figure in our party."
Rayner confirmed she had underpaid stamp duty following reports that she had saved £40,000 ($53,000) by removing her name from the deeds of another property.
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Essex Police said the two men driving the cars, both from Barking in east London, were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. (Representational image: iStock)
TWO students from Telangana, India, have died in a two-car collision at a roundabout in Essex, south-east England. Five other students were seriously injured in the crash, police said.
The accident took place early Monday at the Rayleigh Spur roundabout on the A130. Chaitanya Tarre, 23, died at the scene, while Rishi Teja Rapolu, 21, died later in hospital.
Essex Police said the two men driving the cars, both from Barking in east London, were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. They have since been released on bail until November 20.
“Sadly, one man died at the scene while another died in hospital. Specialist officers are supporting their families. Five other people were taken to hospital with serious injuries,” Essex Police said in a statement.
“Our investigation into the collision is ongoing,” the statement added, while appealing for information, including CCTV or dash cam footage from the area.
The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK issued a statement expressing condolences. It said the students were believed to have been returning from a Ganesh Visarjan celebration with their peer group.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Essex, UK, involving nine students from the Telugu community,” NISAU UK said.
“The accident has claimed the precious lives of two young students, Chaitanya Tarre and Rishi Teja Rapolu. Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” it added.
NISAU said several other students remain in hospital and under urgent medical care. “We are keeping them and their families in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope for their swift and full recovery.”
The group said it is working with the Telangana community and consular authorities to provide support after the accident.
(With inputs from agencies)
Suggested tags: essex car crash, indian students, telangana, nisau uk, uk accident
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India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure would be simplified from four slabs to two, with reductions across several sectors. (Photo: Getty Images)
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India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure would be simplified from four slabs to two, with reductions across several sectors. In some cases, levies have been reduced by more than half.
The tax changes will make a range of consumer goods, including soap bars and motorbikes, cheaper. However, the move could add pressure on government finances.
The announcement comes after US president Donald Trump imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent on imports from India, raising concerns of a slowdown.
Sitharaman said the GST cuts were not linked to the tariff issue. "These reforms have been planned for a long time," she said.
India's prime minister Narendra Modi welcomed the measures. "The wide ranging reforms will improve lives of our citizens and ensure ease of doing business for all, especially small traders and businesses," his office said in a social media statement.
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The protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping triggered a series of demonstrations across the country during heightened tensions over immigration. (Photo: Getty Images)
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The protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, about 20 miles (30 km) from London, triggered a series of demonstrations across the country during heightened tensions over immigration.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was convicted at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman. He was also found guilty of attempting to sexually assault the girl, inciting her to engage in sexual activity, and harassment.
"This was an incident which became a cause of deep concern for the local community," said prosecutor Rebecca Mundy.
Immigration has become the main political issue in Britain, overtaking concerns about the economy, with record numbers of asylum claims and migrant arrivals by small boats across the Channel.
Prosecutors said that on July 7 the girl had offered Kebatu pizza because he looked hungry. He then tried to kiss her, touched her thigh, said he wanted a baby with her and her friend, and invited them back to the hotel.
The next day, when the girl was in her school uniform, he again attempted to kiss her.
District Judge Christopher Williams said the girl’s evidence was consistent and he did not believe she or other witnesses fabricated their accounts.
Kebatu, who had moved to the Bell Hotel about a week before the incident, denied the charges, telling the court he was "not a wild animal".
The asylum seeker said he was a teacher in Ethiopia and claimed the woman had given him her phone number and repeatedly invited him to her home.
His arrest sparked protests outside the hotel, some of which turned violent. The local council obtained a temporary injunction to prevent asylum seekers from being housed there, but it was overturned last week after a government appeal.
Opposition politicians accused prime minister Keir Starmer of prioritising migrants’ rights over those of local residents.
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Rayner, 45, announced she would step down as deputy prime minister, housing minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party. (Photo: Getty Image)
Rayner steps down after admitting underpaying property tax
Resigns as deputy prime minister, housing minister and Labour deputy leader
Becomes eighth minister to leave Starmer’s government, and the most senior so far
Her departure comes as Labour trails Reform UK in opinion polls
DEPUTY prime minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after admitting she had underpaid property tax on a new home. Her resignation is a fresh setback for prime minister Keir Starmer, who had initially stood by her.
Rayner, 45, announced she would step down as deputy prime minister, housing minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party. She becomes the eighth minister to leave Starmer’s team, and the most senior departure so far.
"I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice... I take full responsibility for this error," Rayner wrote in her resignation letter to Starmer.
Starmer said he was very sad her time in government had ended in this way but that she had made the right decision.
Labour under pressure in polls
The resignation comes as Labour trails Reform UK in opinion polls. Starmer has already faced criticism over his party’s image, with accusations of hypocrisy linked to accepting costly gifts such as clothing and concert tickets from donors.
Rayner’s exit is seen as a major blow, as she had played a key role in keeping Labour’s left and centrist factions together and was considered more broadly popular than Starmer himself.
From potential successor to resignation
Rayner had been mentioned as a possible successor to Starmer. On Wednesday, she referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards after acknowledging a mistake in her tax payment.
In an interview, Rayner appeared close to tears as she explained that she had set up a trust for one of her sons, who has lifelong disabilities caused by an injury. She sold her share of her family home in northern England to the trust, using the money to buy an apartment in Hove. She believed she did not need to pay the higher tax rate for a second home.
Rayner’s departure adds to a series of losses for Starmer’s government. Eight ministers have now resigned, five over wrongdoing. This is the highest number of ministerial resignations outside cabinet reshuffles for any prime minister at the start of their tenure since at least 1979.
Even Boris Johnson, who later faced widespread criticism over lockdown-breaking parties, saw fewer resignations at the same stage.
Challenges ahead for Starmer
The resignation leaves Starmer weakened as he faces the end of the year, when his government must prepare a budget that is expected to include further tax rises. At the same time, Nigel Farage’s Reform is mounting a growing challenge.
Starmer had hoped to signal a new phase of leadership with a reshuffle on Monday after returning from his summer break. But that effort was overtaken by the allegations against Rayner and by Farage’s claim that the prime minister was stifling free speech.