NRI industrialist Lord Paul awarded prestigious ‘Punjab Ratan’

London, Oct. 12, 2008
Sirinder Mehta

On Saturday night, the World Punjabi Organization has awarded the prestigious ‘Punjab Ratan’ (Jewel of Punjab) to NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, 77, in recognition of his achievements in the fields of business, politics and public service.

Lord Swraj said:

• I am overwhelmed to receive this. It is a surprise. It is also a proud moment when you are being honoured by your community. There is nothing better. I am truly grateful to all of you for giving me this honour.
• In referring to current global economic turmoil, It is an unprecedented crisis and nobody knows how to deal with it. Fortunately, we have a Prime Minister (Gordon Brown) who has the longest experience of having been a successful Chancellor for 10 years and respected by all world leaders. He is working full-time because it is an international problem requiring global solution. We are fortunate that in this, all three political parties support him.

The World Punjabi Organization's president, Mr. R S Baxi said, “Winner of this year’s award is a very special person, who became one of the first Asians to lead as captain of industry, having founded his company in 1968, followed by growth achieved through development of several greenfield start-up projects and a series of acquisitions and turning around existing businesses.”

On this occasion:

• His brother Jit Paul, an educationist also came from India
• Lord Dholakia said:
  • I hold him in high esteem for the remarkable contribution he is making to the society.
• The chairman of the Conservative Friends of India, Shailesh Vara, said:
  • He is well known not only in Britain and India but in the whole world.
• Some well known personalities were also seen including Kartar Lalvani, founder chairman of Vitabiotics, Judge Mota Singh, Madhav Chandra, Minister (Political) in the High Commission of India and Raj Loomba, founder chairman of the Loomba Trust.