Asians asked to volunteer for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials

Asians asked to volunteer for
COVID-19 vaccine clinical
trials
Researchers are calling on more people from Black, Asian and
minority ethnic backgrounds and the over 65s to volunteer for
clinical studies through the NHS Vaccine Registry to ensure
potential candidates work for all.

     270,000   people   across   the   UK   have   signed   up   to
     participate in vital COVID-19 vaccine studies – but
     thousands more needed
     researchers are specifically calling on more people from
     Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to take
     part in clinical trials to ensure COVID-19 vaccines work
     for all
     Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups are currently
     under-represented in trials, along with vulnerable
     groups such as those with chronic diseases and over 65s

Currently, ethnic minorities are under-represented in vaccine
clinical trials taking place across the UK. Of the 270,000
people who have already signed up to the NHS Registry, only
11,000 volunteers are from Asian and British Asian
backgrounds, and just 1,200 are Black, African, Caribbean or
Black British. This is in contrast to 93% people from non-
ethnic minority groups that have already signed up.

Large-scale clinical studies with a diverse pool of volunteers
will help researchers better understand the effectiveness of
each vaccine candidate. With 6 different COVID-19 vaccines
currently progressing in the UK, including the University of
Oxford/Astrazeneca and US biotech company Novavax candidates,
thousands of people from different ages and backgrounds are
urgently needed to help speed up their development and ensure

they work effectively for the whole population.

This includes people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic
communities who are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
According to Public Health England, people from Black
backgrounds are statistically more likely to be diagnosed with
COVID-19, while death rates are higher for Black and Asian
ethnic groups.

In addition, other vulnerable groups such as people with
chronic diseases or over the age of 65 years are needed to
take part in trials and also being urged to volunteer for
clinical trials.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma yesterday said:

“Coronavirus can affect anyone regardless of their background,
age or race. To ensure we can find a safe and effective
vaccine that works for everyone, we all need to get involved.

That’s why we are urging more people to support our incredible
scientists and join the 270,000 people who have already
signed-up so we can speed up efforts to find a vaccine to
defeat this virus once and for all.”

Minister for Equalities Kemi Badenoch, who is volunteering for
COVID-19 vaccine trials being conducted by US biotechnology
company Novavax at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust,
London, yesterday said:

“The UK is leading the world in the search for a Covid-19
vaccine. At home, we have to ensure every community trusts a
future vaccine to be safe and that it works across the entire
population.

But with less than half a percent of people on the NHS Vaccine
Registry from a Black background, we have a lot more work to
do.

That is why I am urging more people from the ethnic minority

backgrounds to join me in signing up to the NHS Vaccine
Registry and taking part in a trial. Together we can be part
of the national effort to end this pandemic for good.”

The NHS Vaccine Registry was launched in July to create a
database of people who can be contacted by the NHS to take
part in clinical studies, to speed up the development of a
safe and effective vaccine.

The Registry has been developed by the government, in
partnership with the NIHR, NHS Digital, the Scottish and Welsh
governments and the Northern Ireland Executive.

People who volunteer may be approached by researchers to
discuss taking part in research studies in the UK.

Chair of the Government’s Vaccine Taskforce, Kate Bingham
yesterday said:

“The only way to check how well a coronavirus vaccine works is
to carry out large-scale clinical trials involving thousands
of people. Researchers need data from different communities
and different people to improve understanding of the vaccines.
The only way to get this is through large clinical trials.

We want to ensure the data we get actually represents the
different people from different backgrounds in the UK. This
includes people who are over 65, frontline healthcare workers,
or have existing health conditions, and we need people from
the communities which have been disproportionately affected by
the pandemic from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic
backgrounds.”

Dr Maheshi Ramasamy, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and
Acute General Medicine and Principal Investigator at the
Oxford Vaccine Group yesterday said:

“We know that people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic
backgrounds are disproportionately affected by COVID in terms

of severe disease and mortality. So when we do have a vaccine
that we roll out to the general population, it’s really
important that we can demonstrate to people from these
communities that we have evidence that the vaccine works.”

Black, Asian and minority ethnic participation in vaccine
research is explored in detail in the latest podcast in the
series COVID-19: the search for a vaccine.

The UK public can support the national effort to speed up
vaccine research and receive more information about
volunteering for clinical studies by visiting the NHS website.

The Office for National Statistics has reported that people of
black ethnicity were 1.9 times more likely to die from a
COVID-19 related death than those of white ethnicity.
Bangladeshi and Pakistani men were 1.8 times more likely to
have a COVID-19 related death than white men, and for women
the figure was 1.6 times more likely. Read Coronavirus
(COVID-19) related deaths by ethnic group, England and Wales:
2 March 2020 to 10 April 2020 from the Office of National
Statistics for more information.

Volunteering for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials

People wishing to volunteer to support clinical trials can
sign up for information on COVID-19 vaccine trials with the
NHS COVID-19 vaccine research registry, developed in
partnership with NHS Digital. It is helping large numbers of
people to be recruited into trials rapidly over the coming
months – potentially meaning an effective vaccine for
coronavirus can be found as soon as possible.

The service was commissioned as part of the UK
government’s Vaccine Taskforce in conjunction with the
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the Northern
Ireland, Scottish and Welsh Governments.

Anyone living in the UK can sign up online to take part in the

trials through the NHS, giving permission for researchers to
contact you if they think you’re a good fit. Once you sign up,
you can withdraw at any time and request that your details be
removed from the COVID-19 vaccine research registry. The
process takes about 5 minutes to complete.

More information can be found on the NHS website.

About the Vaccine Taskforce

The Vaccine Taskforce (VTF) was set up under the Department
for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in May
2020, to ensure that the UK population has access to
clinically effective and safe vaccines as soon as possible,
while working with partners to support international access to
successful vaccines. This is to place the UK at the forefront
of global vaccine research, development, manufacture and
distribution.

The Vaccine Taskforce comprises a dedicated team of private
sector industry professionals and officials from across
government who are working at speed to build a portfolio of
promising vaccine candidates that can end the global pandemic.
It is chaired by biotech and life sciences expert Kate
Bingham, who was appointed by the Prime Minister Boris
Johnson.

The Vaccine Taskforce’s approach to securing access to
vaccines is through:

     procuring the rights to a diverse range of promising
     vaccine candidates to spread risk and optimise chances
     for success
     providing funding for clinical studies, diagnostic
     monitoring and regulatory support to rapidly evaluate
     vaccines for safety and efficacy
     providing funding and support for manufacturing scale-up
     and fill and finish at risk so that the UK has vaccines
     produced at scale and ready for administration should

any of these prove successful

Asians recognised in the
Queen’s Birthday Honours list
2020
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2020, published on 10th
October 2020, awarded 1,495 honours to people across the whole
of the UK for their outstanding contributions to UK society.

A number of honours this year are given to recognise
exceptional contributions during the Covid-19 pandemic. The
list showcases exceptional contributions of unsung heroes in
all four nations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is
the most ethnically diverse list to date, with 13% of
recipients from a minority ethnic background.

Philanthropist Professor Nasser David Khalili has received a
Knighthood for his services to Interfaith Relations and
charity, whilst founders of the EG group Zubair and Mohsin
Issa, who recently made headlines for buying supermarket chain
Asda in a multi-million pound deal, have received CBE’s for
services to business and charity. Farmida Bi, the UK’s first
female chair of a major law firm, received a CBE for her
services to law and charity.

The majority of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List was compiled
before the ongoing pandemic. The List was deferred in order to
consider nominations for people playing crucial roles during
the first months of the COVID-19 effort and has prioritised
frontline and community heroes who went above and beyond their
duties to help others.

The inspiring 100 year old Dabirul Choudhury receives an OBE.
Choudhury challenged himself to walk 100 laps around his
garden whilst fasting during Islamic holy month of Ramadan to
raise money for Covid-19 relief. Also among the list of
community heroes is Sandeep Singh Daheley who received his MBE
for taking the initiative to create an online portal for
prayers whilst the Gurdwara was closed during Covid-19, to
keep the essence of community alive for the Sikh community
across the UK.

Of those who have been awarded, 72% go to those who have
worked tirelessly for their local community. This reflects the
huge voluntary effort across the country in response to
COVID-19, with recipients cumulatively supplying millions of
free meals to those shielding, delivering care packages to NHS
frontline workers and clocking up countless voluntary hours to
support those at risk.

Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 Awards – (Covid-19)
Recipients
Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Professor   Ramesh       Pulendran   ARASARADNAM,    Consultant
Gastroenterologist, University Hospitals Coventry and
Warwickshire NHS Trust. For services to the NHS during
Covid-19 (Stamford, Lincolnshire)

Dabirul Islam CHOUDHURY ,For charitable          service   during
Covid-19 (London, Greater London)

Ganeshalingam SUNTHARALINGAM, President, Intensive Care
Society & Consultant, London North West University Healthcare.
For services to the NHS during Covid-19 (London, Greater
London)

Members of the Order of the British Empire

Sufina   AHMAD,   Director,   John   Ellerman   Foundation.   For

charitable service particularly during Covid-19 (London,
Greater London)

Hans AHMED, Sessional Muslim Imam, Her Majesty’s Prison/Youth
Offenders Institution Brinsford. For services to Her Majesty’s
Prison and Probation Service during Covid-19 (Wednesbury, West
Midlands)

Harmohinder Singh BHATIA, For services to Race Relations in
the West Midlands particularly during Covid-19 (Smethwick,
West Midlands)

Zahid Hussain BHATTI, Managing Chaplain, Her Majesty’s Prison
Wormwood Scrubs. For services to Her Majesty’s Prison and
Probation Service during Covid-19. (London, Greater London)

Dr Sarbjit CLARE, Deputy Medical Director, Clinical Lead Acute
Medicine, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust. For services
to the NHS during Covid-19 (Birmingham, West Midlands)

Sandeep Singh DAHELEY, For services to the Sikh community
during Covid-19 (London, Greater London)

Imran Rashid DAVJI, Human Resource Administrator, Asda Ltd.
For services to the Covid-19 response (Batley, West Yorkshire)

Jatinder Singh HARCHOWAL, Chief Pharmacist and Head of Quality
Improvement, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. For
services to the Pharmaceutical Profession particularly during
Covid-19 (London, Greater London)

Manvir HOTHI, Social Worker, Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
For services to Social Care particularly during Covid-19
(Biggleswade, Bedfordshire)

Oli KHAN, For services to the Hospitality Industry and charity
in the UK and Abroad particularly during Covid-19 (Luton,
Bedfordshire)

Sanjeev KUMAR, For services to the BAME community during

Covid-19 (Luton, Bedfordshire)

Lavina MEHTA, For services to Health and Fitness during
Covid-19 (Watford, Hertfordshire)

Mohamed OMER, For services to the British Muslim community
during Covid-19 (London, Greater London)

Reza RAHNAMA, Director, Core Voice Services, BT. For services
to Telecommunications during the Covid-19 response (London,
Greater London)

Dr Gurjinder Singh SANDHU, Consultant, Infectious Diseases,
London North West University NHS Trust. For services to the
NHS during Covid-19 (Slough, Berkshire)

Chandni SEJPAL SHAH, For services to the community in North
West London during Covid-19

Dr Carter SINGH, General Practitioner. For services to
Healthcare in Nottinghamshire particularly during Covid-19
(Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire)

Rajinder SINGH HARZALL, For services to Health and Fitness
during Covid-19 (London, Greater London)

Vinod Bhagwandas TAILOR, For services to the community in
Bedfordshire during Covid-19 (Luton, Bedfordshire)

Ashraf UDDIN, For services to the St John Ambulance during the
Covid-19 response (Chelmsford, Essex)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

Ibrar AKRAM, Service Delivery Manager, Transport for London.
For service to Transport and the community in London during
Covid-19 (London, Greater London)

Dr Mahaboob BASHA, External Relations and Engagement Manager,
Energy Safety Research Institute, Swansea University. For
services to the community in Sketty, Swansea during Covid-19

(Swansea, West Glamorgan)

Rita CHOHAN, For services to the NHS during Covid-19 (Swansea,
West Glamorgan)

Dr Hareen DE SILVA, For services to General Practice during
Covid-19 (London, Greater London)

Ahmud Raza DOMAH, General Manager, Hill House Care Home. For
services to Social Care during Covid-19 (Watford,
Hertfordshire)

Ghulam FARID, For services to the community in Grangemouth
during Covid-19 (Grangemouth, Stirling)

Theivandiram JEEVATHASAN, For services to the community in
Graffham, West Sussex during Covid-19 (Petworth, West Sussex)

Rani KAUR, Food Services Assistant, J Sainsbury’s plc. For
services to the community in Bedfordshire during Covid-19
(Bedford, Bedfordshire)

Hasnain Qamar Rashid Bhatti KHAN, Medical Student Volunteer
Coordinator. For services to Healthcare in South Yorkshire
during Covid-19 (Nuneaton, Warwickshire)

Vajid MAHMOOD, PPM Strategy and Implementation Lead, NHS
England and NHS Improvement. For services to the NHS during
Covid-19 (Bury, Greater Manchester)

Manju MALHI, For services to the community in London during
the Covid-19 response (London, Greater London)

Nilima RAHMAN, Bank Employee, Virgin Money. For services to
the Financial Services Sector and the community of South
Shields during Covid-19 (South Shields, Tyne and Wear)

Ajitha SAJEEV, Street Population Manager, Newham Council. For
services to the Vulnerable and Homeless in Newham during
Covid-19 (London, Greater London)

Shagufta SHAMIM, For services to the community in Grangemouth
during Covid-19 (Grangemouth, Stirling)

Neeraj Kumari SINGADIA, Branch Manager, Lloyds Banking Group.
For services to the Financial Sector and the community in
Birmingham during Covid-19 (Birmingham, West Midlands)

Faisal TUDDY, Superintendent Pharmacist, Asda Ltd. For
services to the Pharmaceutical Sector during Covid-19 (Leeds,
West Yorkshire)

Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 Awards
Knighthoods

Professor Nasser David KHALILI, Philanthropist. For services
to Interfaith Relations and charity (London, Greater London)

Companions of the Order of the Bath (CBE)

Farmida BI, Chair, Norton Rose Fulbright (Europe, Middle East
and Asia). For services to Law and charity (London, Greater
London)

Katharine BIRBALSINGH, Founder and Headmistress, Michaela
Community School. For services to Education (London, Greater
London)

Zuber Vali ISSA, Co-Founder, EG Group. For services to
Business and charity (Blackburn, Lancashire)

Mohsin ISSA, Co-Founder EG Group. For services to Business and
charity (Blackburn, Lancashire)

Mohammed KHAN OBE, Leader, Blackburn with Darwen Council. For
services to Local Government (Blackburn, Lancashire)

Professor Yadvinder Singh MALHI FRS, Professor of Ecosystem
Science, University of Oxford. For services to Ecosystem
Science (Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Neeta PATEL, For services to Entrepreneurship and Technology
(London, Greater London)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Abu AHMED, Head, Local Delivery and Communications, Office for
Security and Counter Terrorism, Home Office. For public
service (London, Greater London)

Dr Deesha CHADHA, Co-Chair, Faiths Forum for London. For
services to Faith communities (London, Greater London)

Herminder Kaur CHANNA JP, Principal, Ark Boulton Academy. For
services to Education (Birmingham, West Midlands)

Yasmine CHINWALA, Partner, New Financial, HM Treasury. For
services to the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter (London,
Greater London)

Muhammad Naveed IDREES, Headteacher, Feversham Primary
Academy, Bradford. For services to Education (Halifax, West
Yorkshire)

Danny JEYASINGAM, For services to Governance and Devolution
(London, Greater London)

Ali Akbar MOHAMMED, Founder and Trustee, Ansar Finance. For
services to   Finance      and   charity   (Manchester,   Greater
Manchester)

Dr Sanjiv NICHANI, Founder and Chief Executive Officer,
Healing Little Hearts. For services to Medicine and charity
(Leicester, Leicestershire)

Mehri NIKNAM MBE, For services to Jewish-Muslim InterFaith
Relations (London, Greater London)

Alpesh Bipin PATEL, Founder, Praefinium Partners. For services
to the Economy and International Trade (London, Greater
London)

Sarabjit Singh PUREWAL, Principal Specialist Inspector, Health
and Safety Executive. For services to Health and Safety and to
Cyber Security (Stockport, Greater Manchester)

Luthfur RAHMAN, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure,
Manchester City Council. For services to Local Government
(Manchester, Greater Manchester)

Imran RASUL, Professor of Economics, University College
London. For services to Social Sciences (London, Greater
London)

Ahmereen REZA, Founder and Trustee, Developments in Literacy
Trust, and Director, Conservative Friends of Pakistan. For
public and political service, and Interfaith Work (London,
Greater London)

Professor Nilay SHAH FREng, Professor of Chemical Engineering,
Imperial College London. For services to the Decarbonisation
of the UK Economy (London, Greater London)

Anant Meghji Pethraj SHAH, For services to Education, Health
and Animal Welfare (London, Greater London)

Farouq Rashid SHEIKH, Founder, CareTech. For services to
Specialist Social Care (London, Greater London)

Mohammed Nizam UDDIN, Senior Head, Mosaic, The Prince’s Trust.
For services to Social Mobility and Community Integration
(Barking, Essex)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Shanika AMARASEKARA, General Counsel, British Business Bank.
For services to Business and the Economy (London, Greater
London)

Neeta Avnash Kaur ATKAR JP, Non-Executive Director, British
Business Bank. For services to Small Business Finance (Marlow,
Buckinghamshire)

Rashida BAIG, Head of Service, London Borough of Croydon. For
services to Child and Family Social Work and Race Equality
(Slough, Berkshire)

Yadvinder BOLINA, Lately Area Communications Manager, Crown
Prosecution Service, West Midlands. For services to Law and
Order (Birmingham, West Midlands)

Islamuddin CHOWDHARY, Barrister. For services to the Legal
Profession in London (London, Greater London)

Dr Bijna Kotak DASANI, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley. For
voluntary services to Diversity and Inclusion in Finance
(Leicester, Leicestershire)

Selvarani ELAHI, Deputy Government Chemist. For services to
Food Measurement Science (Walton-On-Thames, Surrey)

Aurangzeb FAROOQ, Mentor, North West Regional Leadership
Group, Mosaic. For services to Young People in Manchester
(Manchester, Greater Manchester)

Manjit Kaur GILL, Founder, Binti. For services to the
Provision of Menstrual Products to Women in Developing
Countries, the UK and the US (Weybridge, Surrey)

Pushkala GOPAL, Dance Teacher. For services to South Asian
Dance (Chigwell, Essex)

Dilip Kumar GURUNG, For services to the Nepalese community in
the UK and Abroad (Blackpool, Lancashire)

Rita HINDOCHA-MORJARIA, Executive Principal and Director of
Secondary Education, Mead Educational Trust. For services to
Education (Leicester, Leicestershire)

Councillor Mohammed IQBAL, Member, Pendle Borough Council and
Lancashire County Council. For services to Local Government in
East Lancashire (Nelson, Lancashire)

Farrah KHAN, Head, Service Delivery, Children’s Services,
Leeds City Council. For services to Children and Families
(Wakefield, West Yorkshire)

Nasir Ahmed KHAN, Co-Founder, Muslims in Rail. For services to
Muslim Representation in the Rail Industry (Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire)

Parminder Kaur KONDRAL, Co-ordinator, UK Sikh Healthcare
Chaplaincy. For services to the Sikh community (Ilford, Essex)

Dr Ibrar Mohammed MAJID, For services to Healthcare and
Community Development in Manchester (Stockport, Greater
Manchester)

Sajjad MIAH, For services to the community in the London
Borough of Tower Hamlets (London, Greater London)

Asgher MOHAMMED, Managing Director, Abbey Chemist, Paisley and
Founder, Scottish Sadaqah Trust, Glasgow. For services to
Pharmacy and charity (Glasgow, Lanarkshire)

Vasant PATEL, Senior Policy Officer, Department for Education.
For services to Adopted Children and their Families (Mirfield,
West Yorkshire)

Hemantkumar Kiritbhai PATEL, Lately Trustee and Interim Chair,
Royal Armouries. For services to Museums and Heritage
(Ingmanthorpe, North Yorkshire)

Baljeet Kaur SANDHU, Founder, Centre for Knowledge Equity. For
services to Equality and Civil Society (London, Greater
London)

Jayantilal SHAH, Founder, Positive Message Ltd. For services
to promoting Anti-Racism in Southampton and Hampshire
(Southampton, Hampshire)

Qaisra SHAHRAZ, Founder, Curator and Executive Director,
Muslim Arts and Culture Festival. For services to Gender

Equality and     Cultural   Learning   (Manchester,   Greater
Manchester)

Julie SIDDIQI, Founder, Sadaqa Day. For services to Promoting
InterFaith understanding(Slough, Berkshire)

Gurpreet SINGH, Non-Executive Director and lately Consultant
Urologist, Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust. For
services to Healthcare, Equality and Fairness (Southport,
Merseyside)

Kiruba SRI SHANMUGANATHAN, Executive Support, Department for
Exiting the European Union. For public service (London,
Greater London)

Syed Afsar UDDIN, Teacher of Bengali, Oaklands Secondary
School. For services to Education and the community in the
London Borough of Tower Hamlets (Ilford, Essex)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Mohammed AZIZ, Chief Inspector, Bedfordshire Police. For
services to Policing and Diversity (Luton, Bedfordshire)

Amolak Singh DHARIWAL, CFO Global Supply Management and
Service Operations, Sodexo. For services to Business (Langley,
West Midlands)

Hera HUSSAIN, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Chayn. For
services to charity (Manchester, Greater Manchester)

Parbir Kaur JAGPAL, Lead for Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion, University of Birmingham. For services to Diversity
and Inclusion in Health (Birmingham, West Midlands)

Sufu MIAH, For services to the community in Oswestry,
Shropshire (Oswestry, Shropshire)

Kurshida MIRZA, Volunteer Organiser, Great Get Together Iftar
and Truby’s Garden Tea Room (Inter Faith Cafe). For services

to InterFaith and Community Cohesion in Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire (Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire)

Parminder Singh PUREWAL, Director, The Normandy Hotel. For
services to Hospitality in Renfrew (Bearsden, Glasgow)

Dr Satyavir SINGHAL, For services to the community in Belfast
(Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim)

Rina SURJAN, For services to the BAME community in Greater
Manchester (Oldham, Greater Manchester)

Bharat THAKRAR, For voluntary and charitable services in the
UK and Abroad (Harlow, Essex)

Rekesh    Chauhan’s                              video
celebrates   World                              Mental
Health Day
To celebrate World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2020,
British pianist and composer Rekesh Chauhan is releasing a new
music video production. Inspired by a British Asian Trust
mental health case study, the music video highlights the
importance of mental health awareness not just within South
Asia but amongst the South Asian diaspora in the UK as well.

Keeping    in   mind   the    current    pandemic   and    the
disproportionately high rate of BAME (Black, Asian and
Minority Ethnic) communities being affected, conversations
about mental health have become even more important. According
to a recent report by the Public Health England:

• An analysis of survival among confirmed COVID-19 cases shows
that people of South Asian origin have up to 50% higher risk
of death when compared to White British individuals.

• A survey of over 14,000 adults by the mental health charity
Mind has revealed that existing inequalities in housing,
employment, finances have had a greater impact on the mental
health of people from BAME groups during the coronavirus
pandemic.

The music video production, kept in regional language of
Hindi, widely spoken by the South Asian diaspora, portrays the
true story of a young girl, Neelam (name changed to protect
her identity). Neelam was able to receive the crucial mental
health services that she required thanks to the British Asian
Trust. The British Asian Trust runs projects in South Asia to
raise awareness, end stigma and transform support for people
with mental health needs.

With a full BAME production team, the music video stars BBC
Young Dancer of the Year Winner and NHS frontline worker Shree
Savani, directed by award-winning director Sima Gonsai and
BAFTA Crew cinematographer Daniel Alexandra featuring
classical vocalist Saylee Talwakar and produced by Rekesh
Chauhan.

Chauhan said, “As we know, Covid-19 has affected our community
disproportionately and mental health is already a topic we
don’t speak about enough. I realise the power of music as a
means of release. I wanted to focus my efforts on spreading
positivity to make a difference through arts.”

Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive of the British Asian Trust
said, “It is crucial that we act now to tackle the desperately
under-reported and under-resourced mental health crisis in
South Asia. The British Asian Trust is working to raise
awareness and challenge stigma around mental health, both in
Pakistan and internationally. As well as providing much needed

services, lifting the silence on mental health and educating
communities is paramount to achieving real long-term change.”

Neelam’s Story, premiers on YouTube on 10th Oct 2020, World
Mental Health Day.

About Rekesh Chauhan

Rekesh Chauhan is a British Indian pianist and composer and a
TEDx speaker. He is the winner of the NIAA Young Musician of
the Year 2018 award at the Southbank Centre London and an
iTunes world charts top 3 artist. He holds a first class
degree in Economics and as a 4th generation of the Indian
diaspora, his influence is pivotal in shaping and representing
British Asians.

Rekesh was invited by the University of Oxford on a featured
research production as part of the university’s Hilary Term
exploring the research and amalgamation of Hindustani
Classical Music with other cultures. In 2018 Rekesh was
selected as one of the 35 under 35 India-UK Young Leaders. He
has performed internationally including at the Royal Albert
Hall and his collaborations range from Mercury Prize winner
Talvin Singh OBE to Nobel Peace Prize performer Rahat Fateh
Ali Khan

For further information visit http://www.rekeshchauhan.com/

About The British Asian Trust

The British Asian Trust is an innovative international
development charity driven by the British
Asian diaspora to address poverty and inequality across South
Asia. It was founded by His Royal Highness, The Prince of
Wales and a group of visionary British Asian entrepreneurs and
philanthropists to deliver large-scale, sustainable solutions
that enable those in poverty to achieve their full potential.
Since it started in 2007, the British Asian Trust has had a
positive impact on the lives of 4.8 million people in India,

Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

For         further          information                visit
http://www.britishasiantrust.org/

Hina Jilani named Stockholm
Human Rights Award laureate
Pioneering lawyer, pro-democracy campaigner and avid civil
rights activist Hina Jilani was announced today as the
recipient of the 2020 Stockholm Human Rights Award which is
bestowed annually by the Swedish Bar Association, the
International Bar Association (IBA) and the International
Legal Assistance Consortium.

IBA President Horacio Bernardes Neto said, ‘I can think of no
more deserving recipient of this award than Hina Jilani. She
has dedicated her life to the protection of the vulnerable
through her commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
She has worked tirelessly and in situations of great adversity
to uphold democracy, to challenge injustice and to defend the
defenceless. Her ceaseless endeavours have made both Pakistan
and the wider world a better, safer and more just place.’

Ms Jilani grew up in Pakistan. Her father was a politician and
an outspoken critic of the country’s military dictatorship,
who spent much of her childhood in prison. Injustices and
human rights abuses witnessed first-hand sparked a lifelong
commitment to challenging social norms and promoting human
rights and democracy in Pakistan, and around the world, in Ms
Jilani. She said, ‘I always had this feeling that if you see
injustice, you have to speak out against it; otherwise you are
not in a position to complain.’

In 1980, Ms Jilani founded Pakistan’s first all-female law
firm, providing legal aid to women. The scope of her practice
grew to include legal education, research and protection from
exploitation. The same year she established the Women’s Action
Forum, a campaign group that advocated for women’s rights and
challenged the discriminatory laws with which she had grown
up.

Secretary-General of the Swedish Bar Association Mia Edwall
Insulander, commented: ‘To reach new places one cannot follow
beaten paths, but diverting from the beaten paths is seldom
easy – it takes great resilience and courage. Hina Jilani
founded the first women-only law-firm in Pakistan as well as
put up Pakistan’s first legal aid centre. She is a true
pioneer and her battle against systematic injustice, standing
up for the human rights of the most vulnerable in society;
women, children and minorities is of utmost importance and an
inspiration for all of us who believe in democracy, the rule
of law and equal opportunities for all citizens of the world.
As a fellow lawyer, woman and human being, I feel the highest
admiration for this year’s laureate.’

In 1986 Ms Jilani set up Pakistan’s first Legal Aid Centre,
going on to conduct many landmark cases and setting new
standards for human rights in Pakistan. Her focus has always
been the most vulnerable sections of society. In the same
year, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan was established
with Ms Jilani as one of its founding members. Today, it has
branches throughout the country and is the most renowned
national body for the monitoring of human rights violations.

In 1990, Ms Jilani co-founded Dastak, a shelter providing free
legal counsel and support to women fleeing gender-based
violence. It also raises awareness on issues such as domestic
abuse, child marriages and ‘honour killings’. Her work often
makes her vulnerable to hostile propaganda, arrests, abuse and
intimidation, but she continues to live and work in Lahore,
where she remains committed to social change and at the heart

of the human rights movement.

IBA Executive Director Dr Mark Ellis commented: ‘Hina Jilani’s
extraordinary courage in speaking truth to power, tirelessly
fighting injustice wherever it occurs and giving a voice to
the most marginalised groups in society, including women,
children, minorities and prisoners, distinguishes her not only
as a lawyer of great repute, but a human being of great
fortitude and integrity. Ms Jilani’s accomplishments are
numerous and ground-breaking, inspiring people beyond her
native Pakistan. I am delighted that she has been selected as
the 2020 awardee.’

The new millennium brought further achievements including her
appointment as the first Special Representative of the United
Nations Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders in 2000. A
position that saw her spend the following eight years working
to empower and protect those campaigning for civil rights. In
2013, Ms Jilani joined The Elders , a group of independent
global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela. Their vision is to
work together for peace, justice and human rights, to promote
ethical governance, to resolve conflict and address its root
causes and to challenge injustice. Ms Jilani’s first mission
was to Myanmar in 2014, when the delegation met with
government officials, the militia and civil society, calling
on the warring parties to end their fighting and discuss
opportunities for change.

Ms Jilani remains an Advocate of the Supreme Court of
Pakistan, having been appointed in 1992. She also currently
serves as President of the World Organisation against Torture,
Co-Chair of the World Refugee Council and Co-Chair of the
International Task Force on Justice.

About The Stockholm Human Rights Award
The Stockholm Human Rights Award was established in 2009 by
the Swedish Bar Association, the International Bar

Association and the International Legal Assistance Consortium.
It is awarded annually to a person and/or an organisation for
outstanding services in the support of human rights and the
rule of law.

Past recipients of the Award:

     2019: David Miliband and the International Rescue
     Committee
     2018: Thomas Buergenthal
     2017: International Criminal Court
     2016: Mary Robinson
     2015: Prince Zeid Ra‘ad Zeid Al-Hussein
     2014: B’Tselem
     2013: Professor M Cherif Bassiouni
     2012: Thomas Hammarberg and European Roma Rights Centre
     2011: George Soros and Aryeh Neier
     2010: Navi Pillay
     2009: Richard Goldstone

The Award will be presented to Ms Jilani on Monday 30 November
2020 at the Swedish Bar Association, Sweden.

For         further          information                visit
https://www.advokatsamfundet.se/SHRA-engelska/

Cardiff           celebrates
anniversary    of    Mahatma
Gandhi’s Birth
Social distanced celebrations took place in Cardiff last week
(Friday 2nd October) for the anniversary of the birth of

Mahatma Gandhi. The day was marked by official Indian
government event at the statue of Gandhi near the Millennium
Centre at the end of Lloyd George Avenue in Cardiff Bay. Rose
petals were laid at the feet of the statue by Indian Honorary
Consul Raj Aggarwal and there was only one photographer in
attendance as well, in observance of strict Covid regulations.

Today’s event was attended by Indian Honorary Consul Raj
Aggarwal, Gurmit Randhawa President Sikh Council of Wales and
Taraksnathan Dasa President of ISKCON Wales. There were also
members of the armed services in attendance in a separate
group Lt Cdr Suzanne Lynch Royal Navy, Major Pete Harrison
from the Army and Warrant Officer Steve Perham RAF. It marks
the 151th anniversary and it was a low key event unlike the
previous year which was held at Cardiff City Hall and which
had over 400 guests and projections and lights around the
building in the colours of the Indian flag. There were also
signs and flags all over the city to celebrate the landmark
anniversary of Gandhi’s birth.

The event has been organised by Raj Aggarwal the Honorary
Consul for India in Wales.

At the event Raj Aggarwal said: “In these times of Covid it’s
more important that ever to remember the teachings of Gandhi
and remind ourselves of his wisdom. Many of his words are
extremely poignant at this time, in particular Gandhi said:
‘The future depends on what you do today,’ and that has such
important relevance to our current situation. He also added:
‘There is more to life than simply increasing its speed’, and
we should pause and reflect and use this time to reset our
priorities to the things that really matter in our lives.

This is a major celebration for a man that the whole world
recognises as a great leader and wise soul. Mahatma Gandhi not
only left a legacy of freedom to India but also a message of
one of non-violence, religious pluralism and tolerance of all
peoples, races and creeds.

In these days when sustainability and the environment are at
the forefront of our minds it’s important to point out that
Gandhi lived by the principles of a cleaner less wasteful life
way before it was a mainstream issue.”

Mohandas K Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869 in present day
Gujarat, India, he was later given the name Mahatma
“venerable” and he led India to independence through a non-
violent civil rights movement. Gandhi’s birthday is
commemorated in India as a national holiday Gandhi Jayanti and
worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence.

Barnardo’s launches the UK’s
first   helpline   for  BAME
children
Barnardo’s has launched the UK’s first helpline supporting
Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) children and families,
who have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis.          The
helpline will provide therapeutic support and a live webchat
facility to communities struggling to deal with issues such as
sickness and bereavement and rising hate crime due to the
pandemic, on top of entrenched existing inequalities,
including poverty, financial hardship and health problems.

This vital support service is the result of a new partnership
with the National Emergencies Trust, (NET) whose funds are
ring-fenced to target specific at-risk groups across the UK.
The £900,000 grant will be drawn from £20 million pledged to
the Coronavirus Appeal by the COVID-19 Support Fund,
established by the insurance and long-term savings industry.
The Fund aims to support those hardest-hit by COVID-19,

including families and children living in poverty.

Barnardo’s new helpline will provide advice, signposting and
support from trained specialist advisors and therapists – who
are from a diverse set of cultural backgrounds and able to
speak a range of languages.

The charity’s specialist frontline workers have reported
supporting increasing numbers of young people from these
communities during the pandemic, demonstrating the need for a
UK-wide support service.

Official statistics show Black people are over four times more
likely to die from COVID-19 related illnesses than white
people of the same age. And nearly double the number of
children from Black and Asian families are in poverty compared
with white children. These children are 1.5 times more likely
to be young carers, with little access to support over the
last six months, leaving many to fall behind at school.

Barnardo’s CEO, Javed Khan, said: “As thousands of vulnerable
children and families across the UK bear the brunt of the
COVID-19 crisis, the urgent need for specialist advice and
support has never been greater.

“I know from personal experience that families in Black,
Asian, and minority ethnic communities have been hit hardest
by the virus. Black people are four times more likely to die
of the virus compared to white people, while the pandemic and
recession are worsening existing inequalities. As a result,
children are suffering bereavement, mental health problems and
fear for the future – yet many remain hidden from essential
support services and have been left to suffer in silence.

“Our new helpline for children and families is the first of
its kind, offering a UK-wide support service to help these
families tackle a unique and complex range of issues.

“Barnardo’s is proud to be at the forefront of responding to

the challenges faced by vulnerable children and young people.
In these uniquely challenging times we are working in
partnership with Government, business and other charities to
support those who need us most.”

Gerald Oppenheim, Deputy Chair, National Emergencies Trust,
said: “This pandemic continues to have far-reaching impacts on
family life, from bereavement through to financial challenges.
This unique helpline offers a real lifeline for children and
young people who often can’t access support through other
routes, so we’re extremely pleased to be able to support
Barnardo’s vital services at this difficult time.”

Yvonne Braun, ABI Executive Lead, Covid-19 Support Fund said:
“The ambition of the insurance and long-term savings industry
in establishing the Covid-19 Support Fund was to get help to
those who need it most, especially children and families
living in poverty. Barnardo’s work is vital in this area and
it’s fantastic to see that our donation to the National
Emergencies Trust is being used to support the first UK-wide
helpline for Black, Asian and minority ethnic children.”

Barnardo’s knows from its See, Hear, Respond, therapeutic
support service in England funded by the Department of
Education, that Black, Asian and minority ethnic children have
suffered increasing levels of trauma, and are afraid for their
futures, their families and communities due to the pandemic.

Three quarters of these children, young people and families
reported an increase in discrimination and hate crime within
schools and communities, while mental health, isolation and
loneliness, and barriers back into education were the main
reasons for contacting the service.

Barnardo’s wants to work in partnership with other charities
and community organisations through this initiative. This
could include secondment opportunities, taking on associate
counsellors, or being part of an advisory group.

The helpline number for children from Black, Asian and other
minority ethnic backgrounds is 0800 151 2605 or visit
https://helpline.barnardos.org.uk.

Amnesty International hounded
out of India by harassment
Amnesty International has today been forced to close its
offices in India, when a two-year-long sustained campaign of
harassment by the Indian Government culminated in the freezing
of Amnesty’s bank accounts.

The complete freezing of Amnesty International India’s bank
accounts by the Enforcement Directorate, an investigative
agency of the Government in India, brings all the work being
done by the organisation in India to an abrupt halt. Amnesty
has been compelled to let go of staff in India and pause all
its ongoing campaign and research work.

Among Amnesty’s focuses in the country, was research on human
rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and a recent report on
the Delhi riots in February which claimed the lives of at
least 53 people, with a focus on the conduct of the Delhi
police.

Responding to the closure, Julie Verhaar, Acting Secretary
General of Amnesty International, said:

“This is an egregious and shameful act by the Indian
Government, which forces us to cease the crucial human rights
work of Amnesty International India for now. However, this
does not mark the end of our firm commitment to, and
engagement in, the struggle for human rights in India. We will

be working resolutely to determine how Amnesty International
can continue to play our part within the human rights movement
in India for years to come.

“The Amnesty movement is very proud of the vital work carried
out by our outstanding colleagues in India regardless of the
risks they faced, including their unequivocal calls for
accountability for the actions of the authorities during the
Delhi riots and in Jammu and Kashmir and their work on gender
based violence. Sadly, this enormously important work standing
up for victims has been met with the heavy-handed tactics that
Indian civil society has become increasingly familiar with –
part of the government’s drive to silence critical voices and
stoke a climate of fear.

“The staff of Amnesty India have shown great dignity in the
face of a concerted and vicious smear campaign of spurious
allegations, raids by various investigative agencies,
malicious media leaks, and intimidation without an iota of
credible evidence of wrongdoing. No laws have been broken.

“It is a dismal day when a country of India’s stature, a
rising global power and a member of the UN Human Rights
Council, with a constitution which commits to human rights and
whose national human rights movements have influenced the
world, so brazenly seeks to silence those who pursue
accountability and justice. As many of our colleagues have
lost their jobs this week thanks to the actions of the
Government of India, we will look for ways to continue our
support to them as we continue to call on the Government to
end its shameful crackdown on those who stand up for human
rights of Indians.”

For further background and information on the situation click
here.

UK  Charity  Penny Appeal
provides aid to flood-hit
Pakistan
The UK-based international humanitarian charity Penny Appeal
has given aid and launched an appeal for the flood-hit victims
of Southern Pakistan, who have been struggling to cope with
intense monsoon rains since the beginning of August. There has
been significant flooding in the majority of the Southern
Districts of Sindh province, including Karachi, Dadu,
Hyderabad, Thatha, Badin, Umerkot and Tharparkar. Dadu
district has been severely affected, with damaged
infrastructure and destroyed crops.

Throughout these districts, both rural and urban settings have
been severely affected by the floods. Karachi, Pakistan’s
largest city with more than 23 million residents, is the
biggest victim of urban flooding. Meteorological officials
have said that the torrential downpours in August have
shattered 89-year-old records for the city of Karachi, with
some 484mm (19 inches) of rain. Major roads and infrastructure
across the city were submerged under several feet of water,
with residents unable to reach hospitals and rescue workers
deployed to attempt to save those whose homes had been
destroyed. As water levels rose, the city’s electricity
utility company (K-Electric) shut down power to large parts of
the city to protect citizens from electrocution due to
malfunctioning wires or other machinery. Motorists abandoned
their cars on major roads and were forced to walk, as many
vehicles were washed away by the flooding water.

With the support of their partners on the ground, Penny Appeal

have taken the immediate following steps:

        Providing cooked food on a daily basis for approximately
        500 individuals for at least 10 days
        Providing food packs to affected families, which will
        feed a family of 5 for an entire month
        Providing 10,000 litres of safe drinking water to flood
        victims for at least 10 days
        Providing 1,000 20-litre jerry cans for water
        collection, 2 per family

In order to ensure the provision of appropriate shelter and
long-term water supply, as well as sturdy health
infrastructure and availability of latrines for affected
families, Penny Appeal have planned the following relief and
recovery activities:

   1.   Provision of basic healthcare facilities
   2.   Latrine construction for affected families
   3.   Rehabilitation of damaged shelters of affected families
   4.   Rehabilitation of ground water tanks
   5.   Rehabilitation of water supply schemes/sources

Harris Iqbal, Penny Appeal CEO says: “We launched our campaign
immediately to help the many people in Southern Pakistan who
have either lost their houses, are without food and
electricity, or are at serious risk of water borne diseases.
Our partners on the ground are providing basic needs including
cooked foods, water, flour and rice; all this is possible with
your donations, so thank you for your continuous support in
helping people in crisis.”

About Penny Appeal

Penny Appeal, the award-winning international humanitarian
charity, was set up in 2009 to provide a range of life-saving
solutions in over 30-crisis hit countries. As one of the
fastest growing charities in the sector, Penny Appeal has
transformed over 20 million lives and empowered communities

around the globe, helping to break the poverty cycle through
their simple vision; taking your small change and making a big
difference. Penny Appeal is a twice Guinness-World-Record
holder and works closely with leading celebrities and globally
renowned institutions in the UK and worldwide in the fight
against poverty.

Penny Appeal have an extensive Emergency Response programme,
through which they provide urgent, humanitarian aid to
countries facing conflict and natural disaster. Often
delivered in multiple phases, the charity provide immediate,
life-saving aid, before moving into providing sustainable
support as survivors rebuild their lives.

Penny Appeal is a British Muslim-led charity whose staff and
beneficiaries hail from all backgrounds and walks of life.
They have launched a Pakistan Emergency Floods Appeal, which
people can learn about and support by calling 03000 11 11 11
or

To donate, visit www.pennyappeal.org/appeal/pakistan-floods

Arjun becomes an Ambassador
for Cardiac Risk In The Young
As part of its 25th anniversary year, Cardiac Risk in the
Young (CRY) has appointed singer and songwriter, Arjun, as an
official Ambassador. He will help by raising awareness of key
messages across his fan base and millions of social media
followers and with fundraising initiatives.

Arjun has a very personal and poignant reason for becoming
involved with CRY. In September 2018, his wife Natasha died

suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
Natasha was a young GP, and her sudden death came just 7
months after her marriage to Arjun. As a result of this
tragedy, Arjun has already demonstrated huge commitment and
dedication to raising awareness of CRY’s work and ongoing
mission to help prevent young sudden cardiac death.

Earlier this year, he organised a huge fundraising concert at
Hammersmith Apollo – #ForNatasha – in aid of CRY and more
recently took part in the UK-wide ‘2.6 challenge’. The
#ForNatasha charity concert which took place in February,
which featured incredible live performances from international
music stars such as Guru Randhawa, Mickey Singh,Vidya Vox and
a heartfelt tribute on stage by Arjun, with proceeds raising
over £32,000 for CRY.

Arjun says; “Natasha and I had been together for ten years,
and she had been closely involved in every aspect of my life,
both personal and musical. I was so thankful to my fellow
artists for taking time out of their madly hectic lives to
perform at our #ForNatasha concert in February, as we
celebrated her life on what would have been our second wedding
anniversary. Through events such as this, and my association
with CRY, I know Natasha’s life and legacy will continue to be
an inspiration to others.”

Arjun adds; “I am immensely proud to be taking on this role of
Ambassador and working with CRY towards raising even more
awareness and doing what I can to help prevent these
devastating and so often preventable, tragedies.”

Every week in the UK, around 12 young people (that is, aged 35
and under) die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart
condition. 80% of these deaths will occur with no prior
symptoms – which is why CRY is so committed to the importance
of specialist cardiac screening. Indeed, CRY’s pioneering
screening programme aims to test around 30,000 young people
(aged 14–35) across the UK every year.

Chief Executive of CRY, Dr Steven Cox, comments: “It is a real
privilege to have Arjun support CRY. It will mean so much to
so many people that Arjun has shared his experience of losing
Natasha.

“This year – in tandem with a 12-month partnership with
Sunrise Radio – will be the first time that CRY has reached
out so specifically to the British Asian audience with our key
messages and future plans and it’s wonderful to have Arjun on
board in this official capacity. We are all looking forward to
working with him now and in the future.

“Young sudden cardiac death is indiscriminate – it takes young
people, at the prime of their lives from every community and
ethnic background across the UK. It is our duty – more so than
ever in our 25th year – to ensure we have a strong voice in
the British Asian community and to spread our messages widely
about the importance of cardiac screening, research and
bereavement support.”

For further details about CRY UK visit www.c-r-y.org.uk

PM condoles the passing of
former    President Pranab
Mukherjee
The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled
the passing away of former President Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab
Mukherjee. The Prime Minister said, “India grieves the passing
away of Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He has left an
indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation. A
scholar par excellence, a towering statesman, he was admired

across the political spectrum and by all sections of society.

During his political career that spanned decades, Shri Pranab
Mukherjee made long-lasting contributions in key economic and
strategic ministries. He was an outstanding Parliamentarian,
always well-prepared, extremely articulate as well as witty.

As India’s President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made Rashtrapati
Bhavan even more accessible to common citizens. He made the
President’s house a centre of learning, innovation, culture,
science and literature. His wise counsel on key policy matters
will never be forgotten by me.

I was new to Delhi in 2014. From Day 1, I was blessed to have
the guidance, support and blessings of Shri Pranab Mukherjee.
I will always cherish my interactions with him. Condolences to
his family, friends, admirers and supporters across India. Om
Shanti.”

Vice President expresses profound grief on the passing away of
Shri Pranab Mukherjee

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has
expressed profound grief on the passing away of former
President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee today. In a message, he said
that Shri Mukherjee was a statesman and an illustrious son of
India who brought dignity and decorum to every post held by
him.

“I learnt with profound grief the passing away of former
President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He was a statesman and an
illustrious son of India, who rose from humble beginnings to
occupy the country’s highest constitutional position through
hard work, discipline and dedication.

Shri Pranab Mukherjee brought dignity and decorum to every
post held by him during his long and distinguished public
service. Known for his administrative acumen and deep
understanding of India’s parliamentary system, he held several

important positions including Finance Minister, Defence
Minister, External Affairs Minister and Deputy Chairman,
Planning Commission. As President, he encouraged people to
participate in innovative programmes at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He was an encyclopedia on parliamentary processes,
contemporary political and other matters and was known for his
scholarly knowledge. He was an excellent parliamentarian and
known for his oratorical skills. His phenomenal memory and
quick grasp of the issues were legendary. He took an abiding
interest in deepening democracy and strengthening various
institutions. He was one of the great consensus figures and
used to reach out to everybody across the political spectrum.

In his death, India has lost one of the outstanding leaders. I
convey my deepest condolences to bereaved family members and
pray to God to give them strength and fortitude to the bear
this huge loss.”

About Shri Pranab Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee is an Indian politician who served as the
13th President of India from 2012 until 2017. In a political
career spanning five decades, Mukherjee has been a senior
leader in the Indian National Congress and has occupied
several ministerial portfolios in the Government of India.
Prior to his election as President, Mukherjee was Union
Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012. He was awarded India’s
highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2019 by the
President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.

Mukherjee got his break in politics in 1969 when the then
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi helped him get elected to the
Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament of India, on a
Congress ticket. Following a meteoric rise, he became one of
Gandhi’s most trusted lieutenants and a minister in her
cabinet in 1973. Mukherjee’s service in a number of
ministerial capacities culminated in his first stint as