The Asian Awards - Grosvenor House Hotel 4 April 2014
Article by Gina Chrysanthou & Poem below by Amita Chatterji
Key Asian figures from across the globe in Business, Arts & Entertainment, Human Rights, Sports, Science and Politics were honoured at the highly successful 4th Asian Awards ceremony. The high-profile Awards event was extensively covered by international media and, a phalanx of photographers took snaps of guests arriving at the red carpet entrance of Grosvenor House Hotel.
The cream of Asian society and other VIP guests converged at The Asian Awards:- captains of industry, entrepreneurs, millionaires/billionaires, lawyers, doctors, IT experts, artistes, film producers, haute couture designers, impresarios, reality TV celebs, presenters, media, writers, event organisers/promoters.
Global investment bank UBS was the headline partner of The Asian Awards, Accenture was the Official Category Partner while several leading luxury brands also linked up with the Awards event.
Paul Sagoo Founder of The Asian Awards and driving force behind the event launched the Awards in 2010. He's continued to develop the Awards ‘Honouring Asian Excellence' which includes people from South Asia extending to Far East Asia. This is a good move in terms of cultural relations and creating financial investment opportunities. During Paul's introduction of the Awards he stated ‘'Today it's 4.4.14 so welcome to the 4th Asian Awards...'' Paul wore a kitsch jacket with spangled shoes looking like he'd just stepped out of a 70's Bollywood film set about to break into a dance routine.
While dinner was served, a Live Auction and Silent Auction took place raising £30,000 for the charity Oxfam. Auction items included jewellery, collectables, luxury items, experiences, art work and holidays. Reflecting on the dinner menu, though the sea bass starter and creamy dessert were well presented and very palatable, the entrée rack of lamb was not enough and quite tough lacking imagination.
Actress/Singer Preeya Kalidas performed her song from Bombay Dreams 2002 ‘Shakalaka Baby' and music producer Rishi Rich joined Preeya on stage afterwards for her second song.
TV broadcaster Nikki Bedi who is often seen at Asian showbiz events presented The Asian Awards.
Actor Idris Elba who starred in the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom was ‘'so honoured and humbled'' to present the Founders Award to South African anti-apartheid political crusader Ahmed Kathrada.
Ahmed remarked ‘'I don't think I've done much to deserve this'' and he received a standing ovation during his emotional acceptance speech ‘'I dedicate this award to all those who did not live to see freedom.''
Structural Bioligist and Nobel Prize Winner Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan gratefully accepted the Outstanding Achievement in Science & Technology award, adding ‘'it's not often that scientists are recognised except by other scientists.''
One of our favourite popular TV fashion stylists Gok Wan won the Outstanding Achievement in Television award. Through fashion & creativity Gok has helped changed the lives of many people by boosting their confidence and re-styling their image.
The Awards ceremony closed with Dr Cyrus Poonawalla winning Business Leader of The Year award whose Indian Biotech company produces paediatric vaccines. His comment ‘'the blessings that I've got from millions of children and their parents whose lives I've saved over the years'' is a fulfilling factor in his life.
Other winners of The Asian Awards 2014 were:
Outstanding Achievement in the Arts - Sir David Tang
Outstanding Achievement in Cinema - Irfaan Khan
Outstanding Achievement in Music - Norah Jones
Outstanding Achievement in Sport - MS Dhoni
Public Servant of The Year - Salil Shetty
Entrepreneur of The Year - Lui Che Woo
Fellowship Award - Jackie Chan
I like to attend, support and create Asian functions & festivals and have done so over the years. Have connected with Asians in various professions so it was fantastic to see many of the people I already know at The Asian Awards celebrating Asian talent.
The Awards met expectations, a spectacular event and line-up of an Asian Who's Who. The well-deserved winners were rewarded at a glittering occasion exhibiting not only Asian but international style and glamour. Pukka PR was glad to have been part of the Asian Awards experience marketing and covering the event with our own photography.
© Article by Gina Chrysanthou
Poem: The Asian Awards 2014
They came to celebrate from many a town
Preened in national dress or some fine gown.
The Awards, created to honour and fête
Asians from all fields, some were late...
Man behind the scenes, founder Paul Sagoo,
With charm, his VIP guests, he did woo.
A favourite and winner Gurinder Chadha,
Pleasant, approachable, eating her vada.
Trio of Kristensens, Emanuel and Gok,
The latter also able to cook with a wok.
A big smile appeared ‘twas Yasmin Alibhai Brown,
With glint in eye, she was letting her hair down.
Pretty Preeya, sweet Sharon and Lads from Essex,
Pity, event missed by an A-lister from Wessex.
Was happy to see friends Raj & Pablo
Bollywood Knights, the dynamic duo.
Guests enjoyed unlimited drinks and good food
People at the Awards left in very good mood.
© By Amita Chatterji
Met and spoke to various people inc old acquaintances -
Fun poem features some of the people I met and photographed
© Photos below by Gina Chrysanthou & Amita Chatterji
Asian Awards Founder Paul Sagoo Gok Wan
Preeya Kalidas Isabell Kristensen
Laura Mvula Nicola Kristensen
Roshni Jogia (r) & friend Venkatraman Ramakrishnan & Paul
Bipin Desai & friends Raj, Amita and Pablo
Simon Hughes MP & Mark Ramprakash Awards Hostesses
Awards Hostesses Chrystianna Filis & friends
Guests Lizzie Cundy & Jasmine Dotiwala
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown & Amita Kiran Sharma & Gina Chrysanthou
Rick Lay of Oxfam Elizabeth Emanuel
Adil Ray (L) guest & Mark Guest, Conrad Baker & Emma Noble
Guests Vuyisa Akuchie (r) & guest
Magic Singh & guests Cerys Matthews & Nikki Bedi (r)
Fehintola Bekitu & Nicholas Douglas Amita Chatterji
Neishaa Gharat Sunny & Shay Grewal
Sharon Prasad (m) & Gina Terry Mardi & Gina
Amita & Gina Valentina, Isabell & Nicola Kristensen
Sheila Singh (r) and guest Ameet Chana & Gina
Preeya Kalidas
Paul Sagoo
Idris Elba Ahmed Kathrada
Gok Wan Dr Cyrus Poonawalla
Auction items: 'Charles Edwards' 'Muhammad Ali' Boxing robe
Taittinger 'Nebuchadnezzar' 'Pablo Picasso Mourlot Cover IV'
Valentina, Isabell, Nicola and Amita
Gurinder Chadha, Amita and Gina
Kalpesh Patel (middle) with guests
Amita, Kiran and Gina
Glenn Lowe and Curt Almond
Marie Boateng and Sam
Jay Mhajan, Naima Ahmed and Gina
Auction item Collectable: 'Ultimate James Bond'
Auction item collectable: 'Nelson Mandela'
View full photo collection in the Gallery by clicking link below:
Asian Awards 2014 at Grosvenor House Hotel