The Asian Awards 2014

With the Asiana Magazine girlies & Nina Wadia

When it comes to award titles, this is about as broad as it gets.
But what does it actually mean and is there any point to it? Are there any points to awards  when quite frankly there are so many awards where results are 'fixed' or worse still, the winner 'pays' to win.....? 

The awards underway

The Asian Awards took place at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London's Park Lane which is considered the quintessential Asian venue - British Asians (of the South Asian variety at least) are obsessed with this hotel, it's considered the ultimate place to have an event or wedding, because it's on Park Lane. I have to admit apart from its well organised cloakroom I've never understood the fascination with the building or Park Lane. London is home to some much more impressive five star hotels and as for Park Lane, it's such an ugly road and so difficult to cross.

My table - if you look closely you can see Gok Wan on the table in front

Now in its the 4th year the purpose of the awards is to 'recognise exceptional success in business, culture, sport and public life'...from Asia as a whole. Which translate as a night out for rich, wealthy types where some of them take home a piece of acrylic with their name inscribed on it for their mantlepieces.

Starters was either fish or a giant puri

As well as handing out awards to the great and the good, the organisers also launched the Asian Awards Top 100 which is basically like a rich list. To be honest I found that part soooo dull. Ok it's nice for such people to get recognised but near enough everyone in that list is so well-known already that there is absolutely no point to being given a book with their name. It basically lists every countries Prime Minister, richest business leader and most famous celebrity....I mean that stuff is general knowledge.

The awards themselves were a disappointment on the grounds so few receivers were there in person to pick up their prizes - a video conference of Jackie Chan is one thing but video messages from 1/2 the recipients is embarrassing as was the entertainment. They wheeled out Preeya Khalidas (ex Eastenders actress who also does musicals) who sung her 'flop' single which was released several years ago). Seriously, how can that be the best they could do?

It's so sad that the people honoured at the awards have achieved so much yet generally they get missed off mainstream  ward lists and that's the main reason why yes it is important that there is an 'Asian Awards' but I can't help feeling they are too exclusive. 

With TV presenter Tasmin Lucia-Khan

Lots of successful, wealthy people in a room, celebrating eachother's success is one thing but that doesn't make them role models. They become role models when they go into schools and inspire people - show the younger generations that they can achieve their goals and dreams by working hard.

My favourite outfit of the night - her mum designed it!

Just to get glammed up at an event sponsored by luxury brands whilst raising a bit of money with a charity auction isn't enough.

Instead of wasting resources creating pointless 'top 100 lists' I think the organisers should spend the rest of the year celebrating the success of the winners by arranging for them to have better public profiles - getting them to talk at community events, going to school sports days and assemblies across the country, that's when these people are actually at their most useful. That's my view anyway. Doubt I'll get another ticket to the event after saying that but quite frankly, until it becomes more relevant to real people, I'm not bothered! 

(Thanks Sadco & Illy for letting me be your guest!)

You can watch a short clip of the event on The Asian Awards website. 

Dick Bruna

Inspired by Crafty Chica's recent blog post on random photos I woke up this morning (I'm having a day off so it's ok to indulge) and decide to post all the photos I have of me and famous people. Not that I've met many but if I was on Facebook I would post them there and since I'm not, they are just hidden away on my computer....but no more!! I shall be adding any future ones to this post so I can have a gallery condensed in one place. 

Sadly there are no dates (I forgot to do that) and they are in no order of importance apart from image number 1....Dick Bruna, the man who invented Miffy. He is a genius and for me, the most exciting famous person ever. When I heard he was in Londinium I literally had to chase him around town to all the various bookshops he was at until I could finally get in the queue to meet him. What a legend!

Abhishek Bachchan

 Abhishek Bachchan was the first Bollywood star I interviewed and what struck me was that when he entered the room he commanded instant attention. He was like a hologram, and probably the most well dressed person I've ever seen - totally pristine suit, expensive watch, all round A'List vibe around him.

John Abraham

Where to begin? Bollywood hunk John Abraham is the best looking man on the planet, when I heard he was filming in Brick Lane one Sunday morning I dropped everything and hung outside his trailer until the lovely crew knocked on his door and asked him to come out and meet me!!!! I'm not ashamed, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Hrithik Roshan

I interviewed Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan about his waxwork that had just been unveiled at Madam Tussauds and he looked like a waxwork himself. He was the perfect interviewee, a total talker but very interested and switched on.

Raj&Pablo

Raj & Pablo are my favourite DJs, without them my life wouldn't be the same, their weekend show on BBC Asian Network is a must listen and their monthly Bollywood clubnight is one of the most fun nights out in town. That's my good friend Bosun with us.

Soha Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore

 Soha is Sharmila's daughter who is a Bollywood super sensation. Someone as A'List as this is hard to talk to as there really is nothing to say but her daughter, also a Bollywood actress was sooooooo approachable, I wish she was one of my friends.

Sarfraz Manzoor

I met Sarfraz when I recently filmed a snippet for BBC Newsnight - he's a journalist but I only got myself photographed with him because my sister is a big fan!

Tasmin Lucia Khan

And another journalist, this time a TV newsreader - she's currently on ITV's Daybreak. I interviewed her about what it was like to care for someone who has cancer and I was very impressed. She spent all morning at a photoshoot then went to work (she was presenting BBc 60 Seconds then) until midnight whilst she was fasting for Ramadan. 

?????

This is a random desi rnb? hiphop? dance music star? I interviewed him in Birmingham at an Asian music awards event. I can't remember his name but I'm sure he had a Canadian accent and his music had a Sean Paul/Jamaican vibe?? Anyone recognise him?

Barbie

When I heard Barbie was at my local toy store I had to get down their with my niece who was only a few months old (she's 6 years old this month!) Note her hat, it's a pink wollley one with curly blonde hair attached, this is what they sell in Bangladesh to make kids look pretty!

Rastamouse

This Radio 1 DJ and TV presenter said to me last week when I took this at Hampstead Theatre 'you do know I'm actually not Rastamouse, I'm Reggie Yates?'......who is he fooling.....he IS Rastamouse whether he admits it or not (he voices the character, that's enough for me).


So there you have it, some photos of me and famous people. I know, I haven't met many but I'm proud of these pics anyway! More to follow maybe if I ever meet any more!!