Awards galore for British NRIs

By Kul Bhushan Sep 18, 2007, 9:55 GMT

Most NRIs who have distinguished themselves in Britain have a cupboard full of awards. These British Asians, as they are called in Britain, have awards for being the top in almost every field: politics, showbiz, fashion, food (read curry), social service and business, which of course means just being rich. And of course 'The Most Powerful British Asian Women'!

It was the British Asian newspapers that launched most of the award-giving events to promote themselves and also to earn extra income. Following the British tradition of 'The Sunday Times Rich List', they started to compile and publish the list of the richest British Asians.

Since the Gujarati community has the highest number of businessmen, it was no wonder that the leading Gujarati newspapers came up with the idea. 'Gujarat Samachar' and its English language publication 'Asian Voice' award the Asian Achievers Awards.

Usually, chartered accountants are roped in to calculate the net worth of the individuals, so that the lists are credible. The accountants were happy to oblige with the free publicity their firms garner. This annual Asian Rich List instantly became the talk of the cocktail circuit and has remained so.

Other ethnic media companies joined the annual exercise of identifying the richest among the rich Asians. The logical extension was to publish the lists of Asians who had excelled themselves in other fields and professions. These awards were announced at a gala dinner, with VIP guests giving away the awards with a high dose of razzmatazz and entertainment.

Thus any British Asian who has made a mark has the drawing room fireplace groaning under these awards. Of course, the British government has its own list of awards announced every year on the queen's birthday that includes the OBE. Interestingly, OBE stands for Order of the British Empire that ceased to exist some time ago but the award is still coveted by British Asians as an acknowledgement of their contribution to Britain today.

Among the awards by the Asian media, the new kids on the block have scored well. 'The Eastern Eye' newspaper joined this game 11 years ago with Asian Business Awards and included new fields in which Asians have achieved success.

Some years ago a roomful of Asian professionals would mean doctors, accountants, lawyers and professors. Today the list also includes mediapersons; IT professionals; radio, TV and film stars; sports stars; artists; fashion designers, property dealers and politicians.

All these and more, like The Most Powerful Women, are also included.

Congratulating the 2007 winners of these awards, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: 'Britain's rich mix of communities do not just make our country a better place to live in, they also give us a competitive advantage in the global economy. And there is no better place to see this than the British Asian community.

'Up and down the country, we see British Asian entrepreneurs taking advantage of Britain's economic success to build up their businesses and create more jobs and wealth.'

The leader of the Conservatives, David Cameron, said: 'British Asians make a contribution out of all proportion to the size of their community living here.'

He added that two things stand out in this success: over three-quarters of the Asian businesses are family-run organisations; second, the success of the Asian business is often founded on sustained hard work.

This hard work started with the first generation of immigrants that landed in Britain over half a century ago. Now their children have grasped the baton from them and are breasting the tape in new arenas.

Generation Next is evident from the ages of these top Asians. In most cases, these are in the 40s and 50s and they have made it to the top. Among the top 10 richest Asians, no less than six came from East Africa. Reading their brief career profiles, it seems so easy to make millions in Britain! Obviously, there is much more to their success than what is published.

These lists and awards recognize and honour Asian achievements in Britain; They are a public pat on the back for all those who excel. But they are also an indication of how the Asians create wealth.

Asians traditionally made money in manufacturing, retailing and textiles. The new rich have made their money in pharmaceuticals, IT, fashion and media, according to Spinder Dhaliwal, a lecturer at Surrey University who has studied Asian entrepreneurship and edits these lists of achievers.

Before they are recognized and honoured at the national/international level, these Asians relish the spotlight beamed at their community level. Many have challenged the stereotype image of the Asian as the owner of the corner shop. They have moved up the road to the high street, the Town Hall, the Commons and the Lords.

(A media consultant to a UN Agency, Kul Bhushan previously worked abroad as a newspaper editor and has travelled to over 55 countries. He lives in New Delhi and can be contacted at: kulbhushan2040@gmail.com)

© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service