British Asian Trust celebrates fund-raising for South Asia Covid recovery

BRITISH chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak and home secretary Priti Patel joined Prince Charles and his wife Camilla at an event hosted by the British Asian Trust in London, the UK, on Wednesday (9) night.

Leading business, political and community leaders from the subcontinent attended the trust’s annual dinner at the British Museum, where Lord Jitesh Gadhia was named as the new chair of the charity.

Guests included Adar Poonawalla who runs India’s leading vaccine maker, the Serum Institute, and his wife Natasha; the new CEO of Barclays, CS Venkatakrishnan; music producer Naughty Boy and chairman of Pakistan’s Nishat Group, Mian Mohammad Mansha.

Prince Charles said, “I cannot quite believe it is almost two years to the day that my wife and myself were able to be with all of you to celebrate the work of the British Asian Trust. Since then, across the globe, there has been terrible loss of life from Covid-19 and we have especially seen the devastating impact throughout south Asia.

“In these most challenging times, the British Asian Trust has run four significant fundraising appeals which have so far raised almost £20 million. A truly remarkable achievement in such a difficult environment.”

During the pandemic, the trust raised £5m through its “Oxygen for India Appeal” to support the country during its devastating second wave.

Prince Charles speaks to chancellor of exchequer Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy at the British Asian Trust’s Annual Reception and Dinner held at the British Museum, London, on February 9, 2022. (Photo: British Asian Trust)

It also secured £2m of matched funding from the UK government for the trust’s Women’s Economic Empowerment programme, which will help 10,000 Pakistani women to find a job or start a business.

Founded in 2007 by Charles and British Asian business leaders, the trust seeks to tackle poverty, inequality and injustice in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Outgoing chair Manoj Badale said, “The funds raised will help us continue to deliver large scale outcome-focused programmes in the fields of education, livelihoods, mental health, anti-trafficking and conservation in south Asia post-Covid-19.”

(From left) Pakistani industrialist Mian Mohammad Mansha, Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Prince Charles and Mansha’s wife Naz Mansha at the British Asian Trust’s Annual Reception and Dinner held at the British Museum, London. (Photo: British Asian Trust)

The event was hosted by trust ambassadors, BBC broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake, BBC, and Reshmin Chowdhury, sports presenter for BT Sport and the BBC.

The Prince of Wales with the Duchess of Cornwall (Phoro: British Asian Trust)

Guests who attended to event included filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, actor Nitin Ganatra, former Liverpool and Wales footballer Ian Rush, fashion designers Shantanu and Nikhil, Vimlesh Maru of Lloyds Banking Group, Lakshman Narasimhan of Reckitt and DJ Neev.