- Monday, February 24, 2025
It is a reminder of the incredible contribution of South Asian people to our economy and our society, the PM said about his award.
By: Shubham Ghosh
PRIME minister Rishi Sunak has said that he is proud of being Britain’s first premier of South Asian origin and that it is “just not a big deal” because of the diversity of the country.
He was addressing the GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards 2024 ceremony organised by the Asian Media Group in London on Tuesday (5) evening where the ‘GG2 Power List 2024’ was released profiling the UK’s 101 most influential and powerful South Asians — with the prime minister himself and his entrepreneur wife Akshata Murty topping the rankings for the third consecutive year.
“What an honour it is to be at the top of this phenomenal list. But I must tell you that there’s been a mistake; as the dad of two daughters, I’m not the most powerful Asian in the country, I’m not even the most powerful Asian in my home,” Sunak joked, evoking laughter.
Read: Sunak, Akshata top GG2 Power List for third straight time
Prime minister @RishiSunak at the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards said "we stand on the shoulders of giants".
"Like my Nanaji, saying a tearful goodbye to her children in East Africa, flying to Britain to build a better life for the whole family." @EasternEye #GG2Awards pic.twitter.com/YKV6ioeGmm— GG2 Diversity Hub (@GG2Diversity) March 7, 2024
Sunak, who is married to Indian-born Murty and is the son-in-law of noted Indian entrepreneur couple Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty, also shared memories of his grandparents who had migrated to the UK many years ago and reiterated his resolve to uphold their values.
“It is a reminder of the incredible contribution of South Asian people to our economy and our society. It’s a reminder too of the values we share: hard work, family, education and enterprise. There is so much for us to celebrate,” Sunak said.
Read: Lord Gadhia bags top honour at GG2 Leadership Awards
Prime minster @RishiSunak said the GG2 Power List is "absolutely bursting with legends and rising stars – leaders in business, the arts, academia, law and much more. I am so proud to be part of this special community." @10DowningStreet @EasternEye #GG2Awards pic.twitter.com/wemUIHsKBg
— GG2 Diversity Hub (@GG2Diversity) March 7, 2024
Reflecting upon AMG creating a platform in the 1960s to fight prejudice and discrimination, Sunak reiterated his anti-extremism message from a speech last week.
He noted, “Now many of us at some point in our lives have experienced hatred because of who we are. Today, as tensions are running high, we must dedicate ourselves once again to the fundamentals that our parents fought for by standing together for freedom of speech, against prejudice of all kinds, proud both of our heritage and our Britishness because in modern Britain they are the same thing.
“I’m proud of our diversity as a nation. I’m proud to be the first British Asian Prime Minister, but even prouder that it’s just not a big deal.”
The GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards, now in their 25th year, saw British Indian peer Lord Jitesh Gadhia receive the highest honour named GG2 Hammer Award for over three decades of public and community service.
“These awards were created in 1999 to celebrate and recognise achievements of all ethnic talent, especially those who have broken through glass ceilings and succeeded through adversity,” AMG group managing editor Kalpesh Solanki said.
Among other winners of the evening included Jaswant Kaur Narwal, a chief prosecutor at the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service who received the Inspire Award, cardiologist Professor Kiran Patel who was named Man of the Year, and State Bank of India UK as the Bank of the Year.
Several South Asian-origin subpostmasters caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal received the GG2 Spirit in the Community Award for clearing their names after they were wrongly accused of theft and fraud.
