Amin's triumph at prestigious Who's Who awards

It was certainly not a case of 'unlucky for some' for Chadderton community champion Amin Babor Chowdhury - as he won a prestigious honour at the 13th Who’s Who Awards.

The former Covid marshal and Commonwealth Games ambassador reigned supreme at a London bash where Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner praised him.

Designed to celebrate the jewels of the British-Bangladeshi community, the Who’s Who Awards are organised by the publishers of the Sylhet and Bangla Mirror.

Sometime broadcaster, and creator of the British Education Awards, Amin received his honour for his outstanding contribution in education, charity, and community relations.

“The first Bangladeshis to arrive in Britain worked for the East Indian Company in the 1790s, and since then we have been making an effective but also quiet contribution to life here,” said Amin, who has done long sponsored walks for charities in both countries.

“I have always been conscious that I am a role model, so to etch a place in history like this is amazing.”

Oldham’s initial influx from Bangladesh occurred in the 1960s and 1970s.

Those coming to the North West first worked in cotton mills, but Amin has watched as entrepreneurial businesses have sprung up, employing local people.

“In the worlds of IT, media and graphic design, young people are creating their own innovative businesses,” he continued.

“Bangladesh has a thriving .com economy and businesses in Oldham have been able to open new markets in the Indian subcontinent.”

Always with success comes giving back, and Bangladeshis have funded community buildings, education programmes and business networks, which have also bridged the gap between diverse communities.

Suhana Ahmed, Executive Editor of the British Bangladeshi Who’s Who, said, “The publication and the gala event has become well-known within the British Bangladeshi community.

“The reasoning behind it is two-fold: Firstly, it provides inspirational role models for other members of our community, especially the youth.

“Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, at a time when various factions of the media and society are questioning the value of migration, it serves to highlight the extensive and remarkable contributions that British Bangladeshis are making here.

“We have continued in our tradition to hand out awards to the best of the best and I am sure that you will agree with me that these are deserving individuals.”

Aside from the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Ms Rayner, Amin was saluted by Apsana Begum, the youngest of the five British Bangladeshi MPs currently sitting in the House of Commons.

Amin concluded: “When people from Bangladesh first arrived here they spoke about Bangla Para, a small, united community.

"Since then, we have branched out into every area of life, in particular business and charity, which often goes hand in hand.

"Our community is now a who’s who of entrepreneurs, leaders, top civil servants and even people in the media and politics – and I am so proud to be honoured by them and for them.”

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