The Ismaili/Dec 2003
A Woman of Distinction

The Ismaili Achievers Committee profile Pinky Lilani, the woman behind the Asian Women of Achievement Awards

Pinky Lilani is a spirited and determined individual who has supported many initatives within the community but is also recognised for her work outside the community. in paticular the Asian Women of Achievement Awards. Besides the Awards, Pinky is a Development Consultant with some of the major food companies in Europe and has acted as an adviser on a range of Indian food products stocked by Sainsbury’s, Safeway and Tesco. Her first cookery book, Spice Magic, surveys the influence of history, culture, geography and religion on the food habits of India. Of course, it also includes an array of delicious and popular recipes.

Pinky has focused her time over the past years on the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, of which she is Chairman. She began to realise that Asian women were going unrecognised for the significant contributions they were making to British Society. This led her to conceive and establish this annual awards ceremony that honours phenomenal Asian women. Now in its fourth year, the Asian Women of Achievement Awards applaud and celebrate the commitment and dedication of Asian women in their personal and professional lives. Since their humble beginning in 1999, the Awards have gone from strength to strength. Explaining why she felt compelled to set them up, she says: “I feel the Awards are about breaking stereotypes about the role of Asian women. Some women I met needed to be acknowledged. I just felt they needed a little more help, because there is a natural reticence on the part of Asian women and women in general. It’s all about giving people self-belief. We have never really seen a lot of Asian role models, but nowadays Asian women are doing incredible things and can provide role models for a lot of youngsters.”

Whilst she is pleased with the heightened profile of Asian women that the Awards have helped achieve, Pinky admits there is still “a long way to go, with many mountains to climb.” And her philosophy? “It’s always so important to tell women to dream, if you can dream, you can do it. It’s all about being inspired and not giving up at the first hurdle. Going out and believing in yourself is what makes the difference.” She continues, “we can’t tell other people what to do unless we are willing to go out and take risks ourselves.” Pinky concludes by urging women to, “do your best and after that trust in God. Everything is for a reason. Give your best and hope it will work.”

If the Awards, the books, the consulting don’t keep her busy enough, Pinky is also a mentor with the Prince’s Youth Business Trust, a member of the Asia House special project committee, the Mayor of Croydon’s charity committee and the European Women of Achievement Awards. She has recently helped to set up Women’s Interfaith Network which encourages communication and understanding between women of different faiths.

Pinky was recently featured in the 80th anniversary issue of Good Housekeeping in Portraits of Power, which featured eight exceptional women of achievement in Britain. She regularly takes part in discussions on the radio and is also an after dinner speaker her specialist subjects besides food are success, communication, motivation and inspiration. She continues to be an inspiration for the Jamat and especially to women within and outside the community.

PINKY LILANI IN THE SPOTLIGHT
First job: Teaching Indian cookery to adults
Car: Red Volkswagen cabriolet (only because her son wanted it!)
Favourite author: William Dalrymple
Favourite film: Pretty Woman, Cinema Paradiso
Favourite music/artist: Andrea Bocelli
Favourite quote: “Sell your cleverness, buy your bewilderment” Jalaluddin Rumi
Last holiday: Marrakesh
Interests: Reading, entertaining, cooking, walking and eating out!