Outstanding Sikhs from across the world acknowledged at the third Annual Sikh Awards!
London – The Third Annual Sikh Awards ceremony to acknowledge and honour the incredible accomplishments of outstanding Sikhs from across the world took place at the Park Plaza Hotel, London.
At the glamorous awards ceremony, newly minted “Doctor” Gurmant Singh Grewal was announced the winner in the Professional category out of over 300 nominations from around the world. Other notable winners in various categories were Laxmi Mittal, Suneet Tuli and Dr. Inderjit Kaur and other categories were Business, Charity, Education, Entertainment, Media, Selfless Service and Sport.
British Prime Minister David Cameron acknowledged the Sikh Awards saying, “I very much recognise that the Sikh community has played an important role in shaping British Society though its service to business, the Armed Forces, the professions and other fields, and I would like to take this opportunity to offer my congratulations and best wishes to all the award winners”.
Grewal, former Deputy Opposition House Leader of Canada and who was recently awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Science and Diplomacy (Honoris Causa) said, “Sikhs are successful in all professions and have made tremendous contribution to make the world a better place. Sikhs are very hardworking, courageous and peace loving people who respect all religions and ethnicities, and they live in over 160 countries. I’m proud to be a Sikh. While we celebrate our accomplishments, we must be reminded of the challenges that global Sikhs are facing and our leadership must come up with an effective strategy to tackle them. I challenge all Sikhs to continue living up to their name, high character and moral values and integrate well into the global village as its first class citizens.”
Mittal, the world steel tycoon and the richest person in the UK said, “Being a non-Sikh, I’m surprised and honoured to get this award. I’m proud to have invested in the Guru Gobind Singh Refinery in Bhatinda, Punjab.”
Parm Kaur Sandhu, Superintendent for the Metropolitan Police and member of the judging panel said, “It’s a very humbling experience reading the nominee backgrounds. We have been presented with numerous inspirational role models”.
Dr. Mohinder Singh, Chairman of GNNSJ and the recipient of the Knighthood of the Pontifical Order of Pope St Gregory, was the keynote speaker and he highlighted the principles of Sikhism. Dr. Iqbal Singh, an educator and the other keynote speaker, emphasized the importance of education.
The third annual award ceremony was attended by over 900 prominent business persons and dignitaries including many British ministers, MPs and other politicians. The total net worth in the packed hall was over 17 billion pounds (US$ 20 billion). A list of 100 most influential Sikhs in the world was also published marking the occasion.
