United Asian NetworkThe awards had been organized by The Asian Weekly and were being held after a four year hiatus because of the pandemic. The evening was glamourous and captured the vibrancy of the changing mood towards prosperity, resilience and new times ahead very well.
United Asian Network was awarded a Special Appreciation Award on Saturday 9th March 2024 at the TAWAA Awards. The awards had been organized by The Asian Weekly and were being held after a four year hiatus because of the pandemic.
The evening was glamourous and captured the vibrancy of the changing mood towards prosperity, resilience and new times ahead very well.
UAN’s Chairman, Dr. Bimal Kantaria graciously assisted the High Commissioner of India, Ms. Namgya C. Khampa
High Commissioner and PR to UNEP & UN-Habitat as she handed over the awards to UAN, Jain Social Group, Hindu Council of Kenya and Pankaj Shah.
On 13th March 2020, Kenya declared its first Covid-19 positive patient and the government took various measure to protects the safety and security of its citizens which included securing medical supplies to medical institutions, border closing, nationwide curfew, locking down zones with high infection levels, stopping private and religious gatherings, and providing fiscal support to businesses and individuals. Dealing with the unknown pandemic became the new normal.
The Asian communities have always come together in crisis and this was no exception. As the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic, the dynamics shifted and the country realized that real grassroots efforts would be needed to curb the spread and overflow for the medical facilities. The objective was to save lives regardless of class, caste or creed.
The Asian Community through the Hindu Council for Kenya, Aga Khan Development Network and the various individual community structures and through the individual member’s personal businesses can out to provide support to the country and the Government in its efforts.
One of the issues that came up was individual communities need to be prepared and respond to the pandemic and what came out of this was an initiative led by Dr. Amit Thakker, Dr. Bimal Kantaria, Ashif Kassam, Kamal Gupta, Hassan Ole Nadoo, Zaheerabbas Khimji, Aradhana Trivedi and Zahra Rashid to set up a in Inter-Community Preparedness with the support of the Hindu Council, SUPKEM, Lohana and Ismaili Communities. The main objective was to share vital Covid-19 updates, medical measures, and toolkits to enable individual communities to prepare themselves for the COVID-19 journey. The first webinar was held on 25th April 2020 and between 2nd May 2020 and 16th May 2020 the initiative held two open webinars, seven zoom meetings, developed a Community Preparedness Blueprint (CBP) and shared various other resources with participants including experience sharing.
As a result and the success of the initiative many community leaders realized that there was no specific forum where community leadership of each of the Asian Community could come together and share information, exchange ideas, leverage of what each one was doing, and above all become a forum to integrate the efforts of each of the communities to reduce duplication and make an impact. The aim was to “Make a bigger purpose which will foster deeper community connection through collaboration and knowledge exchange”.
The 1st Strategy Workshop was held on 27th February 2021 at the Shree Lohana Mahajan Mandal, Nairobi and the attendees were Chair and Vice Chairs of the different Asian Communities. The invitation was extended to three umbrella bodies: Hindu Council of Kenya, Asian Foundation and Sikh Council Kenya. For the Government of Kenya representation, the invitation was extended to P.S. Kevit Desai. Also invited were certain experts from the community from the business sector, culture, historical and heritage.
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On Friday 10th February 2023 at the Movenpick Hotel, Westlands UAN hosted excellences, dignitaries, and community and business leaders.
The Chief Guest of the evening, was represented Mrs. Tessie Musalia and she certainly passed on the wishes and message from Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. H.E. Musalia Mudavadi.
UAN for the very first time in Kenyan history was also able to gather the four South Asian countries, High Commissioners. Having being termed the “South Asian Voice” for Asians in Kenya, it was befitting for the High Commission of Bangladesh- Mr. Tareque Muhammad, India- Ms. Namgya C. Khampa, Pakistan- Ms. Saqlain Syeda and Sri Lanka, represented by Mr. Ruwan Fernanado and Dr. Azim Lakhani, Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in Kenya to receive acknowledgement, appreciation and a platform to air their congratulations and support to UAN. Their united support and enthusiasm was a great boost to the event.
Dr. Bimal Kantaria, Chairman said “it was imperative that we came together for a longer term vision for the sake of inclusion, participation and performance,” Mr. Ashif Kassam, Vice Chairman presented the governance structure and the mandate of UAN, which states it being as a “think-tank” for the South Asians in Kenya.
The biggest reveal of the evening was the UAN digital platform and Mr. Akshay Shah led with it through a live demonstration.
Great movements are born from the time of distress. The year 2020 was a time-testing period. However, in the midst of all the despair brought together the Asian communities and business leaders for the first time ever since Kenya’s independence.
Dr. Amit Thakker, Ashif Kassam and Dr. Bimal Kantaria did not realize they were soon going to become founders of a unique networking platform- United Asian Network Limited.
Thus, 2021 and 2022 became years of strategy, brainstorming and further strengthening of ties. On 1st September 2022 United Asian Network Limited (UAN) was officially registered and the inaugural Chairman is Dr. Bimal Kantaria, Vice Chairman Mr. Ashif Kassam, Trustees- Dr. Amit Thakker, Mr. Ashok Shah, Mr. Hasmukh Devani and the Board also comprises of Mr. Paras Shah, Mr. Akshay Shah, Mrs. Desiree Gomes, Ms. Meera Pandit, Mr. Zaheerabbas Khimji, Ms. Harleen Jabbal and Mrs. Sheena Raikundalia.
United Asian Network Limited is a not-for-profit, non-religious and a non-political organization formed to act as an umbrella think-tank and facilitator of cross-community collaboration of the Asian Community in Kenya, comprising Asians having their roots in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The mandate will be executed through four pillars, being the Economic Connector, Asian Identity, National Engagement and Social Harmony.
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Mobile: 0722 974189
Email: harleen@uan.co.ke
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