Publication and Gala Dinner reaches New Heights

By Rashed Belal ::

The British Bangladeshis have made their own place in multicultural Britain with contributions in their respective fields and have been playing a major role in the growth of this country. The British Bangladeshi Who’s Who publication emphasises the success of the Bangladeshi community and showcases it to both the British and Bangladeshi community in the UK. This year British MP and Leader of House of Commons, Chris Grayling MP , Tory Mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith MP , Deputy Mayor of London Roger Evans, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs, Bangladeshi High Commissioner to UK Md Abdul Hannan, Speaker of Tower Hamlets M A Mukit MBE, Bob Blackman MP, Paul Scully MP and Company Secretary of Canary Wharf PLC, John Garwood were present as special guests along with other dignitaries and leaders of Bangladeshi community at the 8th annual British Bangladeshi Who’s Who award ceremony and gala dinner. The enormous event was held on 5th of November at Meridian Grand in North London.

In his speech, Chris Grayling MP said that, one can easily obtain a portrait of community contribution by reading the British Bangladeshi Who’s Who. Leader of the House of Commons also praised the senior and young British Bangladeshis who are contributing to the development of the community hugely.

In his speech, Tory Mayoral candidate, Zac GoldSmith said that Bangladeshis are playing a very significant role in the British economy. Bangladesh has an imperative role in global politics. Especially in UN missions and Climate change campaign, Bangladesh is an important partner of the UK. Bangladesh has advanced significantly in women’s education, child death and poverty alleviation. However, there are lots that still could be done.

The programme was presented by three most outstanding and highly accomplished presenters of present time, Lisa Aziz, Barrister Anwar Babul Miah, Zakir Khan and Rez Kabir to make announcements.

Barrister Shahadoth Karim, the Editor of British Bangladeshi Who’s Who delivered the welcome speech where he thanked everyone for their co-operation and said “The community has taken this publication as their own and indeed it is not a publication produced for one or two individuals or even a team, it is a publication produced, showcased and supported by the whole community and that makes it unique.” He also highlighted the fact that this publication would inspire future generations.

Special guests included ; Founder of Channel S Mahee Ferduos Jalil, renowned community activist Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari MBE, , prominent businessman and Curry award founder Enam Ali MBE ; Country Manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines UK Shafiqul Islam; Chairman of UK BCCI Bajloor Rashid MBE; Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets Cllr Sirajul Islam, Managing Director of NTV Sanbrina Hossain; Cllr Ohid Ahmed, Bangla Post Editor Tareque Chowdhury, President of BCA Pasha Khandakar, Secretary M A Munim; Managing Director of Janomot Amirul Choudhury; Renowned community activist Faruque Ahmed; journalist and Community activist Nazrul Islam Bashon, Editor of Weekly Desh Taysir Mahmud; Ex President of BBCC Mukim Ahmed; Managing Director of Al- Amin Travels Nazrul Islam; Managing Director of Hillside Travels Helal Uddin Khan; Cllr Nasim Ali OBE; renowned businessman Ahfaz Miah; renowned businessman Harun Miah; Director of Eastern Pride Mazhar Ali; Cllr Ayesha Chowdhury; renowned businessman S I Azad Ali; renowned businessman M Altab Syed, renowned businessman Mohammad Abul Lais, Renowned businessman Monir Ali; Managing Director of Prime Estate Agent Kazi Arif to name but a few.

The British Bangladeshi Who’s Who 2015 publication were distributed as an insert into the UK’s no.1 British Bangla newspaper, the Bangla Mirror and was available from the 14^th November nationally across the UK. Readers can also log on to www.bbwhoswho.co.uk and find the 2008 to 2015 list. The British Bangladeshi Who’s Who is also available to read on board the Biman Bangladesh airline. The publication also achieved one of its many recognition of success from Biman, the national flag carier of Bangladesh.

The awards were given to those who made significant contributions in the community as well as in the mainstream.

Akhlaq Choudhury QC is one of the leading barristers in the UK and is only the second barrister of Bangladeshi heritage to achieve the rank of Queen’s Counsel, received an award from Zac Goldsmith, Mayoral candidate for the Conservative party who was accompanied by Mohammed Shofiqul Islam, Country Manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines UK and Ireland.

Mahmud Hasan MBE who was awarded with for his extensive community work in the UK and a pioneer in social care received an award from Chris Grayling, Leader of the House of Commons, who was accompanied by Nikkita Mulchandani Managing Directors of Meridian Grand.

Mahbub Murshed who has made a name for his role in making Accountancy an Art, bringing accountancy into the Drawing room and creating a new dimension to his profession received an award from Roger Evans AM, the Deputy Mayor of London, who was accompanied by Taj Choudhury, Managing Director of Channel S.

Dr Rupa Haque a prominent academic and Member of British Parliament, received an award from John Biggs, the Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, who was accompanied by Kazi Arif, Managing Director of Prime Estate Agent.

Kamru Ali, currently the Managing Director of the District One Estates Group, which focuses on property investments received an award from Md Abdul Hannan, Bangladeshi High Commissioner to the UK, who was accompanied by Monir Ahmed, Managing Director of JMG Cargo.

Mr Munsur Ali, an International film Director, Producer and writer from London and Graduate in BA in Film and TV Production in 2004 and owner of his own film production company, received award from John Garwood, Company Secretary of Canary Wharf, who was accompanied by Taj Shah, Principal of Taj Solicitors, UK.

The Bangla Mirror Group has been publishing the British Bangladeshi Who’s Who since 2008. The publication and event was the brainchild of the father and son who are the Editor in Chief and Editor respectively. This year’s publication consists of 275 individuals including medics, journalists, lawyers, businessmen, accountants and others from various walks of life.

The Bangla Mirror group who were behind the publication boast an impressive team which include Barrister Anis Rahman, Zakir Khan, Koyes Uddin, Mohammed Ali, Mujibul Islam, Barrister Anawar Babul Miah, Zakir Karim, Sheikh Tuahid,Mazhar Ali, Sabia Khatun, Suhana Ahmed, journalist Mizanur Rahman and Ibrahim Rahman, H M Shahajahan.

The lead partner of the event was Canary Wharf Group and in association with Meridian Grand.

The event was organised by Media Link and the catering courtesy of Eastern Pride. The filming and photography was done by Film Asia.

The 2015 publication and gala dinner is sponsored and supported by numerous organisations and businesses.

The media partners of the gala dinner included Channel S, G10 Design & printer, Bangla Post, London BanglaTV, Medialink, Eastern Pride, Film Asia, Impress Media, UKBD News and Probash Bangla.

Organisations who are supporting the 2015 event are: Biman Bangladesh Airlines, JMG  Cargo, Prime Estate Agent, Taj Solicitors, Stirling & Co, Excelsior Sylhet, Hillside Travels, UKAY Jewelers Group, Energise Health Club, Regent Lake Banqueting, Chef Online, PCO Claims, General Auto, Tarana Group, Air Express, Eurasia food Service, Southall Mela, Hussain Travels,  Careworld London Ltd, AL-Amin Travels, Rose View Hotel, Al-Haramain Group, Everard Construction Management, Unisoft, Quilfords Accountancy, Jol Drink, Sangeeta, Henna Events and Zara Events Management.

The evening was capped off with excellent entertainment by prominent singers Selim Chowdhury, Rubayyat Jahan, Raja Kaasheff and lavish dinner served by outstanding catering enterprise Eastern Pride.

The Bangla Mirror Group is indebted to those who have supported this publication and are continuing to do so, as without the community’s support the publication and gala event of such magnitude would not be possible.