A 78-year-old Indian-origin British obstetrician and member of the UK Parliament has been honoured by a leading publishing group for his work in the medical profession and being incredible role model for social justice, equality and those less fortunate.
Lord Narendra Babubhai Patel was given the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' during the Asian Achievers Awards last night for his work in the medical profession and public life in Britain over the years.
Other winners included Selva Pankaj, CEO of Regent Group - a London-based education skills and training development group; Manjit Gill, CEO of Binti, a social enterprise that works for women's causes in India and Africa; and Paralympian Ryan Raghoo, a long jumper who suffers from cerebral palsy.
"This is a celebration of the enormous contribution British Asian make to our country. We see their success in sports, in enterprise and running of multi-million-pound businesses, media, public services and our Armed Forces," British Prime Minister Theresa May said in her message issued for the awards night.
"This is a real honour. It feels like the bigger the award, the less deserving we may be," said Patel, member of the House of Lords who also serves as Chancellor of the University of Dundee.
The Asian Achievers Awards are organised by Asian Business Publications Limited (ABPL) every year to honour British Asian achievements across different fields. This year, the occasion coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday.
"It is a very special day for Prime Minister Modi, whose birthday has already begun in India. We send him our best wishes," said C B Patel, publisher and editor of of ABPL Group.
"As in years gone by, the winners this year are exemplary individuals who not only have excelled in their chosen professions, but also are incredible role models who work for social justice, equality and those less fortunate," he said.
The event raised 180,000 pounds (USD 2.34 lakh) through a live auction for its charity partner, Indian Ocean Disaster Relief, set up after the 2004 Tsunami to provide immediate relief and long-term projects in case of natural disasters.
Over 650 people including business tycoons, entrepreneurs, MPs and the uniformed services, attended the awards now in its 16th year.
Celebrity guests included cricket legend and former England captain Mike Gatting and West Indies cricketer Gordon Greenidge.
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