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Mega-success in UAN’s Inaugural Leadership Summit

14th September 2024

 

The inaugural Leadership Summit aimed to convene community leaders, business leaders, and youth from across Kenya to engage in meaningful discussions on national cohesion and strategies for promoting peace and economic stability within the Asian community. The summit served as a platform for sharing ideas, best practices, and collaborative initiatives.


Part of our research findings, based on meetings with Heads of Communities, Associations, Business leaders and GEN Z, all requested that we need a common platform that would be a catalyst for all activities happening within the confines of our different communities and bring a central focus and direction to whatever we are doing. It was also shared that we could be doing bigger and better things together as opposed to doing things separately.

Based on this feedback and the prevailing political landscape, we identified four thematic areas that were discussed during the summit.

Objectives:

         Facilitate Dialogue: Create a space for open discussions on the current social and economic challenges facing the Asian community in Kenya.

         Promote Collaboration: Encourage partnerships among community leaders, businesses, and youth to foster a united approach to community issues.

         Empower Youth: Engage young leaders in discussions to ensure their voices are heard and to inspire them to take active roles in community development.

         Share Knowledge: Provide a platform for speakers and facilitators to share insights on national cohesion, peace-building, and economic empowerment.

 

We appreciate the overwhelming response from our Members, Community Leaders, Business Leaders and friends who were present in large numbers. The Summit kicked off on the dot and as everyone was seated in the hall, they were pleasantly surprised to receive gift bags that included a UAN notebook, pen and merchandise from our Summit sponsors. We are very grateful to their support.

 

 

The Summit was opened by President, Mr. Surinder Singh Sihra of East African Ramgarhia Board, the host venue provider. He encouraged the audience to collaborate and enjoy the infrastructure and resources that as communities for the greater good of the members.






The conveners, Mrs. Desiree Gomes and Ms. Meera Pandit welcomed the audience to the Summit and introduced UAN’s Chairman, Dr. Bimal Kantaria.


Dr. Bimal Kantaria, EBS, OGW emphasized the importance of contributing to national development: “If you make money in the country, it's important to invest in the contribution towards national growth."


Thereafter, the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Vimal Shah, Co-founder and Chairman of Bidco Africa gave his address on the topic, “importance of national cohesion in a multicultural society.”

Dr. Vimal Shah, encouraged the audience, to “cut off the silos, these are what divides a Nation.” His addressed on the cohesion was well appreciated and in the afternoon session his message resonated during the feedback session from the audience.


Upon setting the stage for the Leadership Summit, Vice-chair of UAN, Dr. Amit Thakker spoke boldly and reminded all that one key principle of excellence is honesty and candor—a cornerstone for sustainable success in business and beyond. He effectively moderated the afternoon feedback session and managed the questions and expectations efficiently such that time was well maintained and very hard-hitting points were made on various topics.


L to R: Mr. PVS Rao, Mr. Zarak Khan, Mr. Adil Popat, Dr. Aruna Varsani, Mrs. Rattan K. Channa, Mr. Zahid Rajan
L to R: Mr. PVS Rao, Mr. Zarak Khan, Mr. Adil Popat, Dr. Aruna Varsani, Mrs. Rattan K. Channa, Mr. Zahid Rajan

Track 1 (understanding national cohesion), kicked off on time and Moderator, Mr. P.V.S. Rao tackled the national cohesion subject effectively. All panelists interacted well and left a powerful message, that there is much need for internal cohesion before National cohesion can make a difference.


L to R: Mr. Ashok Shah, Mr. Vimal Chadha, Ms. Pinky Ghelani, Mr. Manoj Shah, Mr. Zaheerabbas Khimji
L to R: Mr. Ashok Shah, Mr. Vimal Chadha, Ms. Pinky Ghelani, Mr. Manoj Shah, Mr. Zaheerabbas Khimji

Track 2 (unifying the Asian Community in Kenya) emphasized the need for different activities such as sports to unite the various Asian communities. The track led by Mr. Ashok Shah, highlighted an excellent example of unifying communities in Festival of Friendship. However they believed that there was need to still open up to each other and share, for example the fact that the summit was held at a Sikh temple for all, was an excellent example of community exchange.


L to R: Ms. Sheena Raikundalia, Mr. Sachen Gudka, Mrs. Smita Sanghrajkha, Mr. Abhishek Rana, Mr. Mohamed Yusuf
L to R: Ms. Sheena Raikundalia, Mr. Sachen Gudka, Mrs. Smita Sanghrajkha, Mr. Abhishek Rana, Mr. Mohamed Yusuf

Track 3 (economic collaboration within communities) led by Sheena Raikundalia piqued the interest of all from the onset of registration and was popular during the afternoon feedback session. It was clear that economically we are lateral but not politically. Finally, the reduction of risks was discouraging entrepreneurship and UAN’s Mombasa Chapter will certainly do the best to ignite this spirit, especially for the youth and not have them rely on employment.


L to R: Dr. Isha Anand, Mr. Kushil Nathwani, Mr. Parth Gupta, Ms. Mahek Dagar, Ms. Sonam T. Shah, Mr. Harman Grewal
L to R: Dr. Isha Anand, Mr. Kushil Nathwani, Mr. Parth Gupta, Ms. Mahek Dagar, Ms. Sonam T. Shah, Mr. Harman Grewal

Track 4 (Gen Z action planning) led by Dr. Isha Anand, won the hearts of young and old fairly quickly. They were passionate about serving for the greater good of Kenya and determined to be the force of change. They were also the winners in the afternoon feedback session.

 

During the networking session at lunch time, tables were allocated industry wise and there was much buzz in the trends, ideas and future of cohesion. Upon return there was an intriguing feedback session which put everyone including the Keynote speaker on the spot for feedback.

Finally (l to r) Mr. Vishal Agarwal shared his vision for UAN and pledged to remain a Platinum member for the next five years.

Mr. Murtaza Mohamedali reminded us that Youth need the inspiration and hope from our ancestors so they too can believe that their value of an investment today will still be valid tomorrow in an uncertain future.

Mr. Rajesh Shah reiterated that charity begins at home and we are certainly on a long-term journey to transform within for outwardly benefits of Kenya.



Mr. Ashif Kassam, closed off with a message on the high expectations of what UAN needs to do for all. He encouraged that if objectives remain clear and can be met, that is definitely a good start and the three year journey so far of UAN has proved that while there is much still to be done, there is much to celebrate of the ideas and already successful structures amongst us that can be amplified for all.

 

The Leadership Summit will be an annual flagship event of UAN and will certainly be bound to manage expectations and deliver within the mandate possible. The inaugural success has given faith to the perseverance and vision that the founding partners and Board have for the members, community leaders, business leaders and the Nation. Thus, the sign off the very important document, “communique”, which captured the ten pledges the organization has made for the future.

 

Venue partner and host

East African Ramgarhia Board

Entire committee and trustees

 

Print partner

Smart printers

 

Food partner

Lyons maid

Engima

 

 

Media partner

The Asian Weekly

East FM

Radio 44

The Star

 

Summit Sponsors

Elgon Kenya

Africa Health Business

Engage

Milly Glass Works Mombasa

Alpharama

GA insurance

Osho chemicals

JCB Ganatra

Executive Healthcare Solutions

R H Devani

Astral Aviation

Nairobi Neurocare

Myra IVF

Prime Bank

MacCoffee

Mr. Hasmukh Devani

 

 

Community Leaders who were present:

Mrs. Bindi Shah Visa Oshwal Community

Mr. Murtaza Mohamedali Dawoodi Bohra

Mr. Atul Raithatha Shree Lohana Mahajan

Mrs. Shamira Dostmohamed Ismaili community

Mr. Gamdoor Singh Panesar Sri Gurdwara Ramgarhia Railway South C

Mr. Parul Bhatta, Kenya Brahma Sabha

Mrs. Sujata Kotamraju Hindu Council of Kenya

 

Also present was Hon. Rahim Dawood, Independent member of the National Assembly, North Imenti Constituency and Governor Ndiritu Muriithi , 2nd Governor Laikipia County; MP Laikipia West [2007-2013] & Assistant Minister Industrialisation.



“United Asian Network (UAN) is a not-for-profit and a non-political organisation formed to act as a 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 that have chosen Kenya as their home. UAN will deliver its mandate through four pillars being the Economic Connector, Asian Identity, National Engagement and Social Harmony focusing on the Community and Kenya at large.”

 

 

 

For further information:

Mobile:           0722 974189

Website:          www.uan.co.ke

Twitter:           @uan_kenya

Instagram:       @uan_ke

LinkedIn:        united-asian-network-limited

 

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