Leicester Mercury, February 1993

Tribute to Asians at Who’s Who event
By Ather MIRZA

ACCOLADES for members of the Asian community from all walks of life were bestowed at a top event in Leicester at the weekend.

Prominent figures gathered at a reception marking the re-launch of the eighth edition of the Asian Directory and Who's Who International.

For the first time regional merit awards for services to the Asian community were presented at the event attended by business leaders, lawyers, doctors, journalists and others.

Three of the merit awards went to people from Leicestershire and two recipients were from Birmingham.

More than 200 people from across the country gathered at the Stage Hotel, Wigston Fields, were told that Leicester had the most entries in the Asian Who's Who compared with any other county in the UK.

Leading city practitioner Dr Akram Sayeed, the co-editor of the Asian Who’s Who, said: “It is a matter of pride that the Asian community has done so well in Britain, contributing to the trade, commerce, industry and every other aspect of life in Britain.

Proud history
"This Who's Who is a testament to the success of the Asian community in UK. It includes 1,500 names of which 150 come from Leicestershire.

"This county has a proud history of hosting people from different cultures and communities and has pioneered work in the field of community relations."

The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Coun Bob Wigglesworth, described the Who's Who, published by the Asian Observer Publication, as the definitive international reference book as far as the Asian community is concerned.

He said that without the vitality of the people who have come to the city over the last 30 years, Leicester would have been economically far worse-off.

Leicester East MP Mr Keith Vaz, Shadow Minister for the Environment, said he was delighted the Asian Who's Who had come to Leicester.

He said it was vital for Asians to remember their history, to preserve their culture and to educate future generations.

Paying tribute to the Managing Editor of the Asian Who's Who, Mr Jasbir Sachar, he said: "This excellent book has brought the Asian community together."

Mr Sachar said: "This book reflects the positive side of the Asian community. It shows how Asians, in spite of the numerous difficulties confronting them, have been able to achieve and contribute in social, cultural, educational, literary, commercial, religious and political activities in Great Britain."

Tributes were paid to Mr Jaffer Kapasi and other organisers for making the regional event a success.