Welcome to my weekly column where I will be sharing with you news, views and one or two business clues from across the North East and Tees Valley. As I work across the public, private and third sectors I am ideally placed to provide you with all of insights and information to keep you informed.
To start with I am delighted to see our Asian Standard grow. Having supported the launch in October 2019, in a distinctly different world, it is a pleasure to see Managing Editor, Fatima Patel and the teams’ tireless efforts pay-off with the paper growing from strength to strength.
In a world where we appear to be overwhelmed with noise and every media channel seeking attention, having a trust-worthy, interesting and informative source that provides you with rich and meaningful content and connection is key. All of which I know the Asian Standard will do, and more!
This week I want to pay tribute to our Armed Forces, with it being Armed Forces Day on Wednesday 23 June. All too often we tend to regard our Armed Forces as a totally separate entity, working in isolation and whom we call upon in times of war. However, the Armed Forces should be considered a key part of our community, who are there in times of a crisis, but also there when needed in peace times, and who contribute significantly to society.
My own interest started when I was encouraged by my elder brother to join the cadets many decades ago. I remember signing up and getting a uniform, which made me feel a combination of pride and nervousness. Each week I would get the No.1 bus from where we lived to the other end of the city. For anyone who has lived in Newcastle, the No.1 bus is the longest bus ride and pretty much goes through every area in the city, including at that time some described as war zones!
In those days public racist abuse was far more common, and I remember being sat at the top of the
bus, being asked why a ‘P**i’ was wearing a uniform and then regularly getting into a tussle. But the routine, reverence and camaraderie I experienced far outweighed the ignorance. Being in the Cadets was one of the best experiences of my life, it reinforced the natural traits we Asians have of discipline, hard work and respect, alongside developing a whole host of life skills too. Wearing a uniform made me feel good, part of something special – part of a community.
Naturally, I got distracted with a whole host of other things that boys do in their teenage years and moved on. But I have never forgotten the experience and the skills that I developed, being ever so grateful for the opportunity and affinity developed.
Over the past 7-8 years, I have managed to reinvigorate the relationship with our Armed Forces, launching and supporting a number of initiatives alongside signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant – a voluntary pledge to support the Armed Forces – going on to become a Gold Covenant Holder.
Over the course of the pandemic our Armed Forces have pretty much been on the front line, from building Nightingale Hospitals, to allocating all of their medical personnel to the NHS and onto making sure the economy and communities aren’t overwhelmed by supporting mass testing. Arguably doing as much if not more than various of our other amazing public servants, but with very little recognition.
It is a pleasure and honour to see the pride, admiration and respect that everyone within our Armed Forces has for our country. They all work selflessly to support the whole community.
As Asians our forefathers fought proudly and without any self-regard, for the Commonwealth. We lost hundreds of thousands of precious lives, facing a common enemy and fighting for peace, love and harmony.
It is a true pleasure for me to see so many Asians, now at all ranks, across our Armed Forces continuing to make a significant and sustained contribution. On this Armed Forces Day, I hope you will raise a chai, lassi or something stronger in recognition of everyone making a big difference.
If you would like to find out more on the opportunities open to you, whether as a cadet, volunteer, reservist, regular or would like to sign the voluntary Armed Forces Covenant, to become the best you, then please get in touch. Until next week.
Love and peace!
Ammar Mirza CBE
Guest Editor for Asian Standard North-East and Chairman and Founder of Asian Business Connexions
