London: Leading Indian-origin women from the fields of journalism, art, education and finance were among the awardees at this year's Asian Women of Achievement Awards announced at a high profile event here.

Cherie Blair, wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and actress Liz Hurley looked resplendent in saris as they attended the ninth annual awards event at the London Hilton to honour ten dynamic Asian women from various fields.

Co-founded by Pinky Lilani and organised by Real Business magazine, the Asian Women of Achievement Awards recognise achievements of Asian women in the UK.

The winners included Arti Lukha, the home news editor of ITN. She was selected for the award for her "determination to get to the heart of cutting-edge news stories as a hard-hitting journalist".

In the Arts and Culture category, the winner was Shobana Jeyasingh, a choreographer who has directed the Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company since 1988.

Asha Khemka, another Indian-origin woman, won the Public Sector award for her role as the principal of the West Nottinghamshire College.

The Social and Humanitarian Award went to Bala Thakrar, who has championed the needs of vulnerable people for 20 years.

Thakrar founded Apna Ghar -- UK's first Asian Disabled housing association, and has held posts at the Confederation of Indian Organisations, Voluntary Service Overseas and the Charities Aid Foundation.

The Young Achiever of the Year award went to Snigdha Singh, who at 27, became the director of fixed income rates at the Lehman Brothers trading floor, which she joined in 2002.

Singh earlier completed an MBA at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at the age of 23, where she was awarded the JP Morgan Scholarship for Best Female Exchange Student.

Other awardees included Ruby McGregor-Smith, who won the Business Woman of the Year award, Afshan Ahmed, who was declared Professional of the Year jointly with Sue Ashtiany.

The Entrepreneur of the Year award went to Hasfa Abubacker, while the Lloyds TSB Award was presented to operatic pioneer Wasfi Kani.

The guests at the awards supported by Lloyds TSB included Princess Badiya of Jordan.

Source : PTI