“I love
the GG2 awards – and what an honour it is to be
at the top of this phenomenal list.
“Just
look at this list, from Leena Nair to Adar
Poonwalla, Indhu
Rubasingham to CS Venkatakrishnan, Vis
Raghavan to Ambika
Mod. It is absolutely bursting with
legends and rising stars – leaders in business,
the arts, academia, law and much more.
“It is a
reminder of the incredible contribution of south
Asian people to our economy and our society.
It’s a reminder too of the values we share: hard
work, family, education and enterprise.
“I am so
proud of everything you have achieved. I am so
proud to be part of this special community.
There is so much for us to celebrate.”
He then
joked, “But I must tell you that there’s been a
mistake, as the dad of two daughters, I’m not
the most powerful Asian in the country, I’m not
even the most powerful Asian in my home!”
The GG2
Leadership and Diversity awards celebrate high
achievers among Britain’s ethnic communities.
They are hosted by the Asian
Media Group, publishers of Garavi
Gujarat and Eastern
Eye news weeklies, as well as Asian
Trader and Pharmacy Business magazines.
Lord
Jitesh Gadhia, chairman of the British Asian
Trust, was recognised for over three decades of
public and community service with the
GG2 Hammer Award.
Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the
Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)
Council was named the GG2 Woman of the
Year.
