London: The UK Asian Business Council (UKABC) hosted its much-anticipated Christmas Networking Event and the inaugural Rising Bharat Awards at the historic House of Commons, London. The event, organized by Forty Green Media Group, brought together diplomats, business leaders, and industry pioneers from across the globe to celebrate excellence, foster connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Themed “Your network is your net worth!”, the evening was hosted by UKABC Chairman Taha Coburn-Kutay along with key team members Sudeep Sakalle and Junaid Ahmed, underscoring the transformative power of meaningful connections.
A Platform for Growth and Collaboration
Sudeep Sakalle, in his opening address, highlighted UKABC’s achievements since its 2016 launch at the House of Commons. Over the years, UKABC has built partnerships in 45+ countries, helping UK businesses expand globally while supporting international enterprises entering the UK market.
Key discussions focused on the potential of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India. Neil Lal detailed the economic benefits such an agreement could bring, including job creation, enhanced exports, and the exchange of technology and services. Madhur Temle provided insights into the Rising Bharat initiative and shared India’s vision for 2047.
During the event, Taha Coburn-Kutay encouraged attendees to share personal stories about how UKABC has influenced their professional journeys. This exercise further reinforced the strength of the UKABC network and inspired new ideas for collaboration.
Rising Bharat Awards: Honoring Excellence
The evening also marked the launch of the Rising Bharat Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions across various industries. A special category, the Chairman’s Awards, was introduced to recognize individuals who self-nominate by sharing compelling personal stories of achievement.
The winners of the 2024 Rising Bharat Awards were:
1. Sudeep Sakalle – UKABC Chairman’s Superman
2. Junaid Ahmed – UKABC Chairman’s Superman
3. Erin Coburn-Kutay – UKABC Chairman’s Superwoman
4. Aditi Chourey Sakalle – Rising Cake Artist of the Year
5. Kamal Prabhakar, Transact World Group – Rising Payment Service Provider
6. Ms. Smita Patil, SSPL Group – Rising Real Estate Group of Maharashtra, India
7. Shreyansh Jain, Admissions Overseas Consulting Group – Rising Ethical Overseas Education Service Provider
8. Sagar Shah, Shobha’s Rasoi – Rising Indian Restaurant in Harrow
9. Mamit Agarwal, Furnishings UK Ltd – Rising Entrepreneur of the Year 2024
10. Vahid Jain, Green Bell Packaging – Rising Packaging Service Provider
A Star-Studded Event
The event attracted a distinguished audience, including diplomats, business leaders, and changemakers. Notable attendees included: Stanley Johnson & Linda Bell, CEO of Upcycled Plastics Ltd…..
