• Friday, March 29, 2024

News

Navin Shah receives CBE award from King Charles III at investiture ceremony, dedicates honour to community

(L-R) Navin Shah receives CBE from King Charles III and Navin Shah shows his award (Picture: Navin Shah)

By: Shubham Ghosh

British Labour Party politician and community leader Navin Shah was on March 14 conferred the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by His Majesty King Charles III at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The Indian-born leader received the award for his ‘public and political service’ spanning more than four decades.

Shah was accompanied for this prestigious ceremony at the Palace by his wife Cllr Rekha Shah, son Neil Shah and granddaughter Amari Shah-Levy. His daughter Cllr Aneka Shah-Levy and son-in-law Daniel Levy joined the family after the ceremony to celebrate the occasion.

Shah said after receiving the award, “What an honour to have received beautiful badge of CBE from HM King Charles. What an occasion too that I was in the company of Sir Brian May the ‘Queen Rocker’ who received his knighthood from the King.’

“I dedicate this recognition to our wonderful culturally and religiously diverse community. I’ve also been fortunate to have received support from my family during ups and downs for all these years. Most excited and animated member of my family was my seven year old granddaughter Amari who was beaming with happiness and pride – what an exceptional experience and education for her. She was thrilled to see the King but a bit disappointed that she couldn’t shake his hand!”

The veteran said he has immensely enjoyed his voluntary community work which he started since the mid 1970s. He added that community cohesion has always been close to his heart and his lifetime obsession.

“It’s been a true privilege to work with and on behalf of Londoners and in particular my residents and stakeholders in Brent and Harrow. Throughout my public service as an elected member of Harrow Council for 20 years and as London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow, I’ve strived to make a positive and meaningful contribution to shape and support communities. I see the award of CBE as a success of my endeavours over the last 45 years and tribute to communities and voluntary organisations I’ve worked with,” Shah said.

He also said that the award is a mark of success “in reaching out to communities and stakeholders, working in the spirit of partnership to promote social justice, combat racism and discrimination in all forms, support the deprived and to protect and enhance the environment”.

Shah also said that he is currently working on a number of campaigns that reflect the continuation of his passion to serve the community and make a difference. He added that his five key campaigns relate to accessibility, equality, fire safety in homes and planning and environment.

“My campaign related voluntary work includes projects such as step-free access at train stations; emergency evacuation amenities for disabled people; mandatory sprinklers in homes; promoting equality / social justice through work with community & faith organisations and evaluating planning and environmental issues such as high-rise development in outer London areas,” Shah said, adding that he was grateful to the King and would do his best to live up to the privilege and recognition bestowed on him.

Related Stories

Loading