Winners of the coveted Asian Achievers Awards 2012 were announced at the esteemed award ceremony on Friday 14th September amid the fitting grandeur of Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London W1. The awards recognise the outstanding work of individuals from across all businesses and professions and acknowledge the accomplishments of the finest of the UK’s Asian community.
Hosted by Asian Business Publications Ltd (ABPL), the event marked its 12th year, more resplendent than ever before as 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the publishing group’s newspapers, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.
Before introducing Hema Malini onstage, Mr. Vijay Poddar, Chairman of The Sarvam Trust, said, “Sarvam is a unique rural development project not only because it seeks to empower the community and to create a model which is sustainable, replicable and scalable, but also because it is integral in its approach embracing all aspects of village life like education, health, livelihoods, housing, and tries to base itself on deeper values where the outer transformation is the expression of an inner change. In Sarvam there are no benefactors and no beneficiaries. We are all partners in development, supporting, helping and learning from each other.”
In her stage address, Bollywood actress, Hema Malini, said, “It is a great pleasure to be invited here at the 12th Asian Achievers Awards and on the 40th anniversary of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice to support its success and excellent community service. How am I connected to Shri Aurobindo Society? I have a very beautiful connection with my Guruma Indiradeviji and Shri Dilip Kumar Roy, those who are disciples of Shri Aurobindo. I was told some years back when Pondicherry Ashram was made, they needed some funding. Dadaji, who was a very great singer, sang at various places and collected funds to establish the Ashram. If such great people can do so much work, why not you and me? This prompted me to be a part of Sarvam. I immediately spoke to Vijay Poddar and I wanted to adopt a village, somewhere in the north of India, and be a part of Sarvam. I wanted both my daughters, Esha and Ahana, to be a part of it. If we all can adopt one village, what a beautiful future we can bring for our nation (India). I am here to support Sarvam, to be a part of Sarvam.”
