Aman Bhutani, CEO of GoDaddy.com and N.P. Singh, CEO of Sony Television were honored amongst others at the eleventh Sikh Awards. The grand event took place on Saturday 8th October 2022 at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge, London.
This event was attended by over 400 guests of all faiths, from elite international dignitaries to public figures, community heroes, sports stars, celebrities and elite businessmen from India, Canada, Kenya, UK and USA.
“The Sikh Awards is now in its 11th glorious year. This was our first event back in London since 2016. It really was unique event and one I will always remember. Our purpose with the awards is to recognize, honor and celebrate the enormous achievements of the Sikh community who continue to contribute immensely to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of societies globally, as well as making a difference to people’s lives through philanthropy. I would also like to congratulate all of this year’s winners. May they continue to be a beacon that shines out to future generations, who will continue to strive for excellence in their chosen professions”.
The Sikh Awards recognises the pivotal contributions made by the Sikh community across a variety of fields, from business, charity, education, entertainment, professional services, selfless service and sport, with winners selected across the globe from Asia, USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. This year’s winners included:
• SIKHS IN PROFESSION – AMAN BHUTANI
• SIKHS IN MEDIA – N.P. SINGH
• SIKHS IN ENTERTAINMENT – STEEL BANGLEZ
• PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD – NEELAM GILL
• SIKHS IN SEVA – VIKRAMJIT SINGH SAHNEY
• SIKHS IN BUSINESS – BUSINESS MAN – TONY MATHARU
• SIKHS IN BUSINESS – ENTREPRENEUR – KULJINDER BAHIA
• LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – SARDAR RAJINDER SINGH JI
• SIKHS IN CHARITY – MIDLAND LANGAR SERVICE SOCIETY
• SIKHS IN SPORTS – JHALMAN SINGH BASI
• SIKHS IN EDUCATION – SHEILA SINGH
• SIKHS IN BUSINESS – BUSINESS WOMEN – SHARON KAUR
The successful entrepreneur, Navdeep Singh who founded the Sikh Awards said:
The Sikh Awards 2022 Winners are:
SIKHS IN CHARITY – MIDLAND LANGAR SEVA SOCIETY
Randhir Singh took the initiative to set up Midland Langer Service Society to start feeding people in the midlands. The feed quickly expanded to 26 towns in the UK which currently provide 46,000 hot meals a week. MLSS was present in India throughout the Farmers Protest setting up Langar (free food) camps, educational camps, healthcare/medical camps and getting the youth and elders to bond together through sport. Sikhs make a minority in Walsall and bus drivers, or those in public facing roles who wore turbans previously were mocked and were subject to racial abuse. Today the same people would look at a turban wearing man and salute and praise how the Sikh community work together and help those less fortunate.
SIKHS IN SEVA – MR VIKRAMJIT SINGH SAHNEY
A self-made man with humble beginnings who has today made the entire Sikh community proud. Newly selected as Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, he is a Padma Shri Awardee and a Social Entrepreneur. As the President of World Punjabi organisation, he has been actively putting his efforts to unite all Punjabis across borders through multiple cultural and social events. His NGO Sun Foundation has been involved in humanitarian work towards helping the incapacitated and under privileged of the society. During the pandemic he donated oxygen plants, ECMO Machines, 1000 oxygen concentrators and 2000 oxygen cylinders to various districts in Punjab and has also been Instrumental in setting up of a 400 bed Covid Care Centre at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi. Mr. Sahney has set up World Class Skill Centres in Delhi providing skill courses for free to over 2000 students. Recently, Vikramjit Singh chartered 3 flights to Kabul to evacuate over 500 Afghani’s.
SIKHS IN SPORTS – MR JHALMAN SINGH BASI
Jhalman Singh known as ‘Jumbo’ to friends boxed for Fairbairn House ABC from 1969 to 1983 he had 150 contests: W-105 L-45. Since retirement he has been coaching and refereeing. Jhalman’s involvement in boxing since 1969 until today, has been voluntary and he still strives every day to help others. His aim is to keep the youngsters off the streets and to rehabilitate them. Keeping them from straying into crime, especially knife crime and creating an environment where they can enjoy coming, keeping them safe, and fit and healthy at the same time. He runs his own boxing Gym to make all this possible – voluntarily. He is currently head of Referees and Judges appointments for the Nation and is coaching countless people to become qualified boxing judges, referees and volunteer amateur boxing officials.
SIKHS IN MEDIA – MR N.P. SINGH
N.P. Singh is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Network and an industry veteran who rose from the post of CFO of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) in 1999 to CEO in 2014. With over 41 years of varied experience in the corporate world and in his current role, NP is focused on building leadership equity of Sony Pictures Networks India. Before joining SPNI in 1999, NP held several leadership positions across Finance and Operations in leading organizations including Modi Xerox and Spice Telecom. Presently, besides being the MD and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India, NP is on the Board of Directors of the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation and Director on multiple company boards. NP is an earnest Indophile with a special interest in Indian cuisine, music and movies.
SIKHS IN ENTERTAINMENT – STEEL BANGLEZ
Pahuldip Singh Sandhu was born 5 February 1987, known by his stage name ‘Steel Banglez’, is a British record producer and musician of Indian Punjabi descent. He is currently signed to Warner Bros. Records. Best known for his production work with artists including Mist, MoStack, J Hus and Wiley, Steel Banglez achieved his first chart hit as a lead artist when his track “Bad” reached the top 30 on the UK Singles Chart in February 2018. His highest charting single on the UK Singles Chart is “Fashion Week” featuring British rappers AJ Tracey and MoStack which peaked at number 7. He was given the nickname Steel Banglez by a Jamaican friend in reference to the Kara (steel bracelets) that he wears as a Sikh.
SIKH PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD – MS NEELAM GILL
Neelam Kaur Gill is a British fashion model. She has worked with Burberry, Abercrombie & Fitch and appeared in Vogue. At the age of fourteen she signed with NEXT Model Management. She has appeared in Vogue India. In September 2013, she made her debut on the catwalk for Burberry’s fashion show during London Fashion Week. In 2014, Gill became the first Indian model featured in a Burberry campaign. In November 2015, she became the face of Abercrombie & Fitch. More recently she has walked for Kanye West’s Fashion Week Show and Dior. 2020 Neelam was featured in The Sikh 100 under 30 list which profiles 100 Sikhs under the age of 30 who are role models for the younger generation.
SIKHS IN EDUCATION – MS SHEILA SINGH
Sheila Singh, an award winning professional, a Mother of four, Managing Director and Principal of London School of Academics (LSA) established in 2010, specialising in bespoke Teacher Training. Sheila holds various prestigious awards: Gold Medal of Excellence for Teacher Training. Britain’s Bravest Women, Barclays Trading Places Award, Women’s Business of the year and Entrepreneurial of Excellence Award for Gender at the National Diversity Awards. Sheila was awarded the City and Guilds Lion Award 2018 (highly commended Centre of the year Globally). And most recently in 2021 was given the Lifetime achiever’s award. She has worked in many international and government funded colleges teaching full time and part time over the last 25 years. Sheila has trained over 4000 teachers many of which who faced adversity through their disabilities and other barriers which hindered opportunities to study.
SIKHS IN PROFESSION – MR AMAN BHUTANI
As CEO of GoDaddy, Aman brings over 20 years of experience in technical, management, and leadership roles ushering brands into new eras of innovation and global growth. Prior to joining GoDaddy in 2019, Aman spent nearly a decade at Expedia Inc., where he served as Brand Expedia Group president from 2015 to 2019, and leadership roles of the worldwide engineering team culminating as chief technology officer from 2010 to 2015. Prior to joining Expedia, Aman held multiple technology roles at JPMorgan Chase and Co. and Washington Mutual, Inc. Prior to that, Aman founded and was the technical lead at a startup, and was a senior engineer at a consultancy. In 2018, Aman was elected to the board of directors of The New York Times Company and currently serves on the Audit and Finance committees. He earned his MBA from Lancaster University in Lancashire, England and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Delhi University.
SIKHS IN BUSINESS – ENTREPRENUER – MR KULJINDER BAHIA
Kuljinder Bahia is a peerless figure in the hospitality and travel industry. The entrepreneur was appointed Southall Travel’s managing director in 1997. Since then, Kuljinder’s management has propelled revenue from half a million dollars to over one billion. In 2008, he was honoured with the young entrepreneur award for his work at Southall Travel. Kuljinder was inducted into the UK travel hall of fame in 2013, becoming one of the youngest inductees in the organisation’s history. Three years later, he became the youngest recipient of the Institute of Travel & Tourism’s prestigious Odyssey Award. Under his stewardship, the company was the only travel company to feature in the Sunday times 2010 Top Track of the UK’s 250 most successful companies. Southall Travel has remained in the list ever since, ranking 18th in 2017, and rising to 11th in 2018. acquisitions, IT and strategy. A former venture capitalist and global consulting partner he has worked with IBM, SGI, KPMG, and The White House.
SIKHS IN BUSINESS – BUSINESS WOMEN – MS SHARON KAUR
Sharon Kaur founded Sahara Care in 1997 to provide residential care and support to women with learning difficulties. Now, 25 years later, the company has grown organically, providing specialist support for people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs, with a keen focus on enabling people to maximise their potential. Sharon is passionate about her company and the community she serves. Through The Sahara Care Charitable Trust, she has been a major contributor to local and national charities with an emphasis on those supporting young and vulnerable people. The Trust helped found The Terence Brown Arc in the Park that provides invaluable services and opportunities to East London communities. Sahara Care also actively supports young people following a career in care through its work with local community colleges and The Prince’s Trust. Sharon’s core belief is that the smallest act of caring has the potential to turn a life around.
SIKHS IN BUSINESS – BUSINESS MAN – MR TONY MATHARU
Tony is the Chairman and Founder of the Integrity International Group. He is a Lord’s Taverners Trustee and the Chairman of the London City Region. Tony combines his passion for hospitality with philanthropy and community engagement. He is committed to caring for, respecting and engaging with the local community. Tony Matharu’s total assets currently stand at approximately 1.5 billion pounds. He is a keen supporter of the Arts, Sport & Culture, assisting many London and global initiatives and is actively involved as a player and board member of various sporting clubs & cultural organisations. Tony has received a Special Recognition Award for his Contribution to London’s Success and a Technology and Innovation Award. A recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Letters and a Fellow of ESCP Europe Business School, Tony is a regular adviser and commentator on entrepreneurship, hospitality and philanthropy. Finally, Tony has just added Blue Orchid Hotels chain to his portfolio.
THE SIKH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – SARDAR RAJINDER SINGH JI
In lockdown 2020 Rajinder Singh aka Skipping Sikh aged 74 became a worldwide hero as he started the skipping challenge which encouraged people globally to start skipping. He raised £15,000 for the NHS. His fund-raising exploits earn him an MBE from the Queen. He also received a points of light award by the PM. He is an ambassador for Age UK local and one of their storytellers. He then went onto doing his first full London Marathon and raised thousands for Mencap. He is now doing the second London Marathon this year raising money for Age UK. He has always been into fitness, having run several marathons. Rajinder Singh born in India, came to the UK in the 1970’s as an immigrant, worked in passenger services at Heathrow for most of his working career, he then retired and did part time work as a bus driver.
