London, September 14, 2004
IANS

A young Asian entrepreneur of Indian origin who started an Indian restaurant in Britain as a novice and met with success has scooped a major award Asian business award.

Among others who were recognised for their work were the Art Design and Graphics and the Punjabi Music Dance Academy.

Rajpal Atwal, the entrepreneur, collected the best business start up prize, after setting up the India Gates restaurant at Bilston, Wolverhampton.

He was a complete novice in the hospitality trade but built it into a successful concern and is now looking to expand.

The Art Design and Graphics, also based Wolverhampton, was presented the Asian Business of the Year Award 2004 at the third Black Country Asian Business Association (BCABA) Business Awards Dinner.

BCABA was set up in partnership with the Birmingham-based Black Country Chamber & Business Link three years ago with the specific aim of promoting and supporting Asian businesses within the region.

More than 350 representatives from the Asian and Black Country business communities attended the event at Wolverhampton Racecourse, Dunstall Park.

Kashor Kanda, who set up Art Design and Graphics in 1990, said: "When I first started the business 14 years ago, I faced the challenges of demonstrating a high level of creativity to potential clients.

"I am delighted to receive this award from such a respected business organisation."

The community excellence award was scooped by the Punjabi Music Dance Academy, West Bromwich.

Over the past five years its artistic director Gurcharan Mall has focused on developing the Punjabi Music Dance Academy to promote the development of Punjabi arts, culture and history, through a selection of workshops and courses.

The academy will soon offer qualifications and is currently developing a syllabus on bhangra music.