Internationally acclaimed actress Manisha Koirala was one of the inspirational South Asian people awarded with a distinguished award during a historic event for the UK media sector. The award celebrated Koirala’s exceptional achievements in the Indian film industry and her ability to overcome hardship. On Friday, October 27, the Asian Standard newspaper’s London edition was launched, and the award ceremony was held in the Houses of Parliament in London. Burnley’s MP Wajid Khan, Baron Khan, hosted the event.
With the innovative leadership of Rokaiya and Fatima Patel, an indomitable mother-daughter combo, RF Media & Publishing has established Asian Standard London. The newest regional edition of the newspaper has arrived in the Capital, fulfilling a goal that dates back ten years and was inspired by the lively South Asian population in London. The inaugural event demonstrated the continuing strength of tenacity and fortitude in addition to introducing the city’s free South Asian weekly newspaper.
The idea of showcasing the variety of tales from the South Asian community in the centre of London was devised by Fatima Patel in 2013. Nevertheless, destiny stepped in and caused a personal setback with a damaged tendon and a benign tumour that temporarily interfered with her vision. Fatima persevered in the face of these difficulties and found strength in her loved ones’ encouragement. After a decade, Asian Standard London is the next significant accomplishment in the history of the newspaper series.
The strategy used by RF Media & Publishing is to regionalize their publications in order to give voice to the underrepresented, grassroots voices of South Asian communities and to deliver news that speaks to the unique needs and interests of each local community. There are now four print versions of the newspaper available: Bradford, Kirklees, Leeds, and the North East. The publishing business aims to release six additional titles by 2025. The London edition will be the next in line for UK-wide distribution, hitting newsstands on November 1.
The Asian Standard is a monument to the resilience of people who rise above hardship and serve as an inspiration to the world, as it starts to document the experiences, accomplishments, and goals of London’s South Asian population. The announcement of the London edition and the acknowledgement of Manisha Koirala’s accomplishments serve as a reminder that aspirations are not constrained by restrictions or distance.
Koirala is a well-known actress from Nepal who has captured the attention of people all over the world with her remarkable skill and commitment to the film business. She received recognition for her excellent contribution to the Indian film industry. Her path has inspired many budding performers and has crossed boundaries. The esteemed honour is proof of her unmatched accomplishments and unwavering quest of perfection, as well as her ability to overcome serious health challenges, including cancer. Regarding the honour, Manisha stated, “I feel so fortunate to be here and have met so many incredible individuals. I appreciate you including me today; I will always have a special place in my heart for this. Although my career has been amazing, there have also been low points. I had time to think after learning I had cancer. I began to wonder if I had lived properly. Have I lived this life to the fullest? I also hadn’t. I had a lot of time to think when I was in the hospital, especially about the things that mattered to me: my profession, my relationships, and my health. Now that I’ve been cancer-free for ten years, when death knocks on my door once more, I want to pass away knowing that I wasted my time here on Earth. I have lived wholly in accordance with my emotions.
Dr. Sulochana Segera, a social entrepreneur and motivational speaker from Sri Lanka, who is the chairperson of the worldwide brand Women In Management, was also awarded at the inaugural event. The celebration honours individuals from the subcontinent who have achieved remarkable success and have surmounted significant personal and professional hurdles. “It’s an honour to be here and a little emotional to receive the award,” she remarked, acknowledging the accolade. I usually talk about other women, so my work has been pretty quiet. However, I’ve been encouraged to come out of hiding and join the platform. I was taken aback when Fatima sent me a letter about the prize because I usually write to honour other women. The prize Fatima received is not just for me, but also for all women and my nation.
Hasina Momtaz, a Bangladeshi-born news presenter, founder of the faith-based jewellery firm Soul Gems, former PR advisor to the mayor of London, and deputy director of media, campaigns, and public engagement at ActionAid, a worldwide organisation, was also awarded. “I’m incredibly honoured to receive this award; thank you to Fatima and the Asian Standard,” she remarked. Kindly keep up your disruptive behaviour, Fatima, as these individuals are the ones who bring about change. We require change in light of the current state of affairs in the globe.
Ayaz Bhuta MBE, an Indian-born British wheelchair rugby player and Paralympic Gold Medallist, was also given an accolade. At the ceremony, he talked about overcoming difficulties, saying, “I tried to prove myself from a young age; I started playing cricket as a young boy and they couldn’t get me out.” I was not permitted to do sports at school, but I overcame this restriction and started taking physical education in a wheelchair. He went on to say, “We played the USAParalympic Final and beat them by five points to win the gold medal for Team GB at the Paralympics.” While receiving a gold medal was my goal, many disabled people just want to be treated with respect and seen as completely able-bodied individuals. For them, that would entail bounds and leaps.
Speaking on the debut of the London edition and Asian Standard’s ongoing journey, Fatima Patel remarked, “We embrace the vibrant tapestry of our community as we launch the Asian Standard London.” The stories of resiliency, the melodies of civilizations, and the power of togetherness are all captured in the ink that flows through these pages. The stories of resiliency, optimism, and fortitude in the face of hardship that each of us carries inside us are represented in The Asian Standard, not simply my own experience. It is evidence of the strength of perseverance in the face of the most difficult obstacles.
Azeem Rafiq, an English cricket player of Pakistani descent and an advocate against racism in the game, was also given recognition. “I thank you for honouring me today, it means a lot and I hope it gives everyone hope in any adversity and confidence that, no matter how small or big our voice, there is power in our voice and we must use it whenever possible for standing up for what we believe in,” he said in a special video message despite being unable to attend in person.
“The newspaper is a monument to our common goals and ideals, not merely a celebration of variety. May these words serve as a catalyst for change, a lighthouse of hope, and a bridge that unites hearts. We lead the way towards a peaceful tomorrow by elevating voices, valuing diversity, and paying tribute to the rich history that inspires our stories. Together, we create a tale that will be remembered for decades to come and encourage each reader to have faith in the strength of their own voice. We discover more than just news in the pages of Asian Standard London; we also discover the spirit of our multicultural and cohesive neighbourhood.
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