One Community Hampshire and Dorset is very pleased to announce news of Mr Russell Bahar, Founder of the Asian-Jewish Business Network (AJBN) support for the Sikh Memorial Southampton project.  This support and partnership is greatly appreciated.

In regard to the AJBN, Mr Bahar has provided in the two paragraphs below details of the Asian-Jewish Business Network inauguration event, held at the legendary Lords Cricket Ground:

‘The inaugural event of the Asian Jewish Business Network attracted more than 400 CEOs and other senior figures from the world of Law, Property, Insurance, Finance, Banking and Accountancy etc to the iconic Lord’s cricket ground in November 2019. Guests also heard from leading business figures from both communities including International Development Secretary Alok Sharma MP, Deputy Mayor of London for Business Rajesh Agrawal, Sir Lloyd Dorfman, Lord Bilimoria, Ron Kalifa and Faisal Islam.

The first gathering confirmed a clear appetite for this unique forum, described by Lord Popat as “well overdue”. So we are delighted to announce our return on the 15th November 2021, this time with a series of events aimed to further the AJBN’s goals of helping to share best practise and ultimately boost trade.’

Russell Bahar

OCHD is particularly pleased to share this news because of the passion Mr Bahar has shown for the Sikh Memorial Southampton project on behalf of the AJBN that will be assisting on awareness raising, and potential fundraising in conjunction with us, OCHD, and the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s, for this historic, once in a lifetime project.  This partnering regarding the project is especially welcome as the project has, beyond the direct rectification of the record of history concerning our Sikh Community of Southampton, in and for the British roles and courage through the UK’ [and then British Empire] armed forces in the two World Wars, a further related major purpose.

This to celebrate the crucial role of our BAME communities in the British armed forces, and in the two World Wars.  This including that of members of our British/UK Jewish community; a fact often overlooked, but important to record especially given the ultimate outcome of WW2 whether fought in the Asian or the European & North African theatres and beyond, was revealing the full scale and the horror of the Holocaust.