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Tue, Oct 12, 2010: The world's first awards to recognize Sikh contributions across society took place this weekend in London.
This long awaited initiative is the brainchild of Sikh Directory, Director Navdeep Singh, the awards recognize the special contribution Sikhs have made to British society in the fields of business, sport, entertainment, charity, the media, service and education.Bhai Sahib Ji, the brainchild of the first Sikh Free School, which received the Prime Minister's backing at the Conservative Party Conference last week in Birmingham, was present at the Sikh Lifetime Achievement Award. Bhai Sahib Ji, based in Birmingham, is one of the most prominent Sikhs in the world - earlier this year, he was designated the rarest, highest honor for his global service to the Sikh religion, at a special ceremony at the Golden Temple in India.
A diverse audience of 600 attended the awards hosted by Sonia Doel.
Eastern Media Groups Editor in Chief, Dr Gurjeet Kaur Bains won the Media award, other nominees in this category were Davinder Singh Bal from Sikh Channel and Teji Singh from Sterling Media. The award was presented by Gurinder Kaur Chada, film director.
“We are very proud of Gurjeet’s achievements, they have allowed The Sikh Times to flourish and become not only Britain’s first English/Punjabi publication but an international title, that has helped to empower Sikhs around the world” said Jaspal Singh Chairman of Eastern Media Group.
The first recorded Sikh settler in Britain was in 1849. Since the migration from the Punjab in the 1950s, the UK Sikh population has grown to 750,000 according to Brent Council. Sikhs have quickly become one of the wealthiest and most successful communities in Britain. According to the National Equality Panel, the average Sikh household income is higher than Christians and every other religious community in Britain except Judaism.
The UK's first Asian judge, Sir Mota Singh QC, was among the judges for the Sikh Awards, joined by Mrs Harminder Kaur Chahal ACCA, Dr. Surinder Kaur Hundal (Bsc MBA Ph, Mr Ranjit Singh Baxi (Bsc MBA FRSA) and Peter Singh Verdee.
Navdeep Singh of the Sikh Directory, and founder of the Sikh Awards, says 'Sikhs have been in the UK for over 160 years, and have made some of the most significant contributions to British science and industry. Today’s multicultural Britain is showing unity in diversity and if we can say that we all belong to one heavenly Father, then we are all brothers and sisters.'
The winners were :
Sikh Lifetime Achievement
Mr. Fauja Singh, Fauja Singh holds the 10,000m record (64 mins - Lahore Marathon January 2005), 1/2 Marathon (2 hrs 29 mins and 59 secs) and the Marathon record (5 hrs 40 mins and 1 sec) both at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in September 2004 and September 2003 respectively. 94 year old Fauja Singh was to run 100m, 200m, 400m, the mile and 1500m, and a 3000m continuing on to finish the 5000m. Six races covering eight distances in a time limit of 94 mins. Impossible? – nothing is impossible for the ex-farmer from the Punjab ! Fauja Singh clocked 19.97 for the 100. In the 200m he obliterated the UK M90 age group 200m clocking an amazing 45.13sec. The 400m he covered in 1.49.28sec, to become the first in Briton ever to contest this distance.
Sikhs in Education
Professor Tejinder Singh Virdee, Tejinder is a particle physicist at Imperial College London and at the CERN laboratory in Geneva. He is distinguished for his contributions to experimental particle physics. In particular, starting with a handful of colleagues in 1990, he was responsible for setting up the worldwide CMS experiment collaboration. This is one of the two largest and most complex experiments in science with over 3000 scientists and engineers from about 180 institutes in over 38 countries. Professor Virdee has been a leader of the CMS experiment since the early nineties.
Sikhs and Charities
United Sikhs UK, Volunteers, staff and supporters work behind the scenes for an organization they feel is theirs. Our volunteers have led 15 humanitarian relief missions in disaster zones; we provide legal services to defend civil and human rights and we run educational and personal development programs. Our mission is to provide selfless service to the underprivileged and dispossessed regardless of their religion or belief, ethnicity, nationality or gender. We are now a UN affiliated NGO with offices in 10 countries across the world, including the UK
Sikhs and Seva
Dr. Manjit Kaur Birdi, Manjit Kaur is a health practitioner and has worked within the community for over 20 yrs. She has been deeply touched by the suffering of fellow human beings and has always set out to help them in whichever way she can. She has presented on various TV & radio stations to raise the profile of health and religious affairs within the Sikh community. Six years ago she travelled out to Kenya to help build clean water supplies with irrigation system for people living in Kenya. In Africa she also travelled to Uganda and set up safe farming areas for families so they could grow and develop their communities. She is now working with local families and hospitals in India treating illnesses, promoting Sikhi and setting up an educational programme for children.
Sikhs in Business
Dr. Kartar Singh Lalvani OBE, Dr. Kartar Singh Lalvani founded Britain’s fastest growing major nutraceutical company 39 years ago with a portfolio of UK’s No. 1 brand leading supplements, including Pregnacare, Perfectil, Osteocare, Wellman and Wellwoman. Kartar, a fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, with a doctorate in medicinal chemistry, has built his business on his patented scientific innovations. The company now sells its products in over 120 countries. In the UK, over £60m worth of products are sold through retail chains, at Boots and nationwide. Dr. Lalvani’s group employs over 2000, worldwide, with a global turnover of over £200m and further double-digit growth is forecast. Vitabiotics is a private family business and has twice won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Sikh Business Women
Dr. Rabinder Kaur Buttar, Dr. Rabinder Buttar is a highly successful British entrepreneur and the founder, President and CEO of ClinTec International. Included in Real Business’ List of Britain’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women, Dr. Buttar is the recipient of several prestigious business awards, such as Ernst & Young Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 and The Institute of Directors (IOD) Director of the Year for Glasgow & the West of Scotland. ClinTec has a growing presence in the major markets of Europe, India and the Middle East. Dr. Buttar has a PhD in Immunology, which she gained in 1988 from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. Dr. Buttar received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland for her 20 years' contribution to Life Sciences.
Sikh Entrepreneur
Jaswinder Singh Sehmbi, Arriving in London aged 11 and armed with an unstoppable passion and drive, Jaswinder Sehmbi has always been an entrepreneur. From a very young age he learnt he could turn his hand to almost anything and make something from it. Reassembling a bicycle to sell on while at school, using his talent to decorate homes while at college, supporting a family of five in all ways possible and then realizing a dream to create a business that has taken him all over the world. And it doesn't stop there. His intuitive way with others and constant strive for learning new things and sharing knowledge has lead him to sponsoring and mentoring young hopefuls, inspiring them to become the creative forces of tomorrow.
Sikhs in Entertainment
Jazzy B, Jaswinder Singh Bains, aka Jazzy B, was born in Punjab and was raised in Vancouver, Canada, a transatlantic superstar who has introduced a fresh new image to the world of Bhangra music. Since his debut album in 1993, has become one of the most important names in the Punjabi music world. Jazzy B is one the most prominent stars of Punjabi music in the 21st century, having proved his credentials with a string of worldwide smash hit songs.
Sikhs in Media
Dr Gurjeet Kaur Bains, Dr Gurjeet Kaur Bains is Editor in Chief of Britain’s first English/Punjabi publication, The Sikh Times. Amongst her other accomplishments is the role of Non-Executive Director of Europe’s largest hospital, she is also Governor of a consortium of colleges in Birmingham. Gurjeet was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Aston University. Gurjeet was the first woman to Chair the Institute of Asian Businesses. She is CEO of Women of Cultures and founder of British Asian Hafta, an initiative that celebrates the success and contributions of the Asian community to Britain. Gurjeet strives to be a positive role model and mentor.
Sikhs in Sports
Satnam Singh Dhillon, Satnam Dhillon has played polo all his life from the first time he could walk to bicycles to horses. His father started playing in his early thirties and Satnam has had the fortune to follow in his fathers footsteps. Satnam is now rated as one of the top four rated English polo players, but Satnam unlike any other player on the same 7 goal handicap he plays as a professional / amateur as he his employed full time in the family property firm. Currently he is also the highest rated Indian player in the game. Satnam also plays for England and is part of the England squad.