Chairman Paul Riat has launched his latest charity, Lotus Worldwide, in the UK. The function held for the launch at the Thistle Hotel, Bath Road, West Drayton, on Saturday, 26th June 2010, was attended by 200 guests from various communities. The chief guests for the occasion were Hon Dominic Grieve, Attorney General and MP, Baroness Sandip Verma and Hon Verindra Sharma MP. The evening was a feast of entertainment, featuring a DJ, Brazilian dancers and live music by renowned singer Rahi Bains.

At the function, it was decided that the first UK function would be in aid of the ROKO Cancer Campaign. In their speeches, the three guests of honour complimented Mr Riat for his vision in setting up Lotus Worldwide, and assisting charities all around the globe.

Lotus Worldwide's first project was in Jalandhar, India in 2006. This was a very successful project and particularly unique, as the organisation arranged 30 marriages for girls from low income families of different communities. Apart from providing all the necessary household items, the organisation ensured employment for the couples. All the funding for this project came from Mr Riat's personal resources.

From 2006 to date, the completed or ongoing projects have included supporting children from low income families in education, funding for eye camps, providing equipment for schools and other smaller projects.

Mr Riat announced that Lotus Worldwide will this year begin construction of an Arts and Music Academy in his home town, Jalandhar. The site was purchased four years ago and building work will commence towards the end of the year, with the project planned for completion by 2013. The state of Punjab has an immense source of musical talent and, as someone who has been involved in the art and music industry for 30 years, Mr Riat feels   there is a great need to provide basic facilities for the gifted musicians of the future.

Academies are also planned throughout India, and sites are already being acquired.

Lotus Worldwide is proud of the fact that it will also be working in remote parts of Africa. As an East African Asian, Mr Riat feels that people who originate from those areas should look back to their roots and contribute in their own ways. Lotus Worldwide is planning to launch projects in Tanzania to resolve health related issues such as cataracts, AIDS, and water shortages.

Responses from organisations and individuals have been very encouraging and the governments of all the   countries involved are prepared to   assist Lotus Worldwide in every way they can.

Profile

Pritam Chaggar: An illustrious career in media service

Pritam Chaggar is a renowned figure in media circles. In a career spanning six decades of media service, he earned a reputation for his multifarious talent as broadcaster, presenter, scriptwriter, news editor, writer and reader.

Born in Punjab, India, on 10th January 1933, Pritam Chaggar migrated to Kenya after completing his graduation from Ramgarhia College of Phagwara. A chance meeting with the veteran broadcaster Musa Ayoob at his grocery shop in Eastleigh changed his life for ever. At the instance of Ayoob, he joined Hindustani Service run by Cable & Wireless from Kabete on 1st March 1955. There was no looking back ever since.

During his stint with the Hindustani Service Pritam Chaggar worked as a broadcaster, translator and news reader. In 1959 when Kenya Broadcasting Service took over Hindustani broadcasting from Cable & Wireless Pritam became an important member of the new team. He was involved in presenting programmes, scriptwriting, voiceovers for adverts, news editing, writing and reading, outside broadcasts and sports commentaries etc.

Pritam wrote and produced many features. Prominent among them is a fortnightly programme 'Chacha Sahib'. It was a satire on social issues in which Pritam played Chacha Sahib. Radio Doctor and Forum Discussions were other famous programmes. Pritam covered Safari Rally for many years and was appointed Press and Public Relations Officer of the Safari Rally Committee.

From Cable & Wireless to Kenya Broadcasting Service, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, and Voice of Kenya Pritam has seen it all. In 1992 he migrated to the UK. In the UK he produced and presented shows for BBC before joining Spectrum Radio to set up their newsroom and present shows, and then he moved on to provide his services to Star FM.

Though Pritam has recently retired as director of Asian Star Radio, he is unlikely to spend his retired life in hibernation after 60 years of active media service. He was honoured by the Sikh Community of Nairobi at a special ceremony to commemorate his fifty years in broadcasting.

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