A youthful entrepreneur has embarked on a quest to promote jewellery and bejewelled accessories created by top Indian designers into every kind of ethnic market.

Rajveer Kaur Panglia, 26, who moved to Rotterdam in 2006 from Hyderabad, has been selling a stunning selection of designs online since June this year and reports enthusiastic responses from customers around the world.

She has named her business Fusion by Rajveer, which reflects the fact that fashion items she commissions incorporate stylish modern specifications that she judges will appeal to women of all ethnic backgrounds for different social occasions.

She believes Fusion will prosper because of the inventive contribution of young India-based designers like Pooja Pariani, who is renowned for her clutch bags, and Mahek Lokhandwala, who has made a name for herself with individualised handmade accessories.

“The target audience is women of all ages – but definitely those who like to feel stylish and classy and like to experiment with their looks,” said Rajveer.

“It is not aimed at a specific ethnic audience – it is designed to appeal to everyone irrespective of their ethnicity. Already I have Dutch, Turkish, Moroccan and Spanish customers, as well as Indian.”

An art graduate from Hyderabad’s St Ann’s College (economics, public administration, political science and mass communications/multimedia), she believes there is huge scope to build a brand in the Indo-Western fashion marketplace. She has her eyes firmly set on the UK and America. “I have had an offer to launch the brand in the States and am hoping to finalise a deal.”

She would be happy to take Fusion into the high street. The first step will be a presence in a Rotterdam store called The Hubshop and she hopes this will lead to other retail outlets being established in Holland and then across Europe.

Rajveer said: “The business is very young and has not yet received much media attention but I have showcased my collection in a lot of fashion events – including one in Rotterdam called Fashion Village, which resulted in an interview with a TV channel that aroused a lot of interest.”

“I am delighted with the way things have taken off. I do get to hear good things about my products and I am on cloud nine when I get these compliments.”

Core beliefs for Fusion include allowing those skilled craftsmen and women to express themselves in the design of innovative yet versatile products.

The collection includes quality clutch bags in faux leather and satin, decorated by diamante studded brooches, coloured stones or ornate metal finishes. It also features wild animal prints, pure pearl jewellery and handmade funky bangles, necklaces and bracelets adorned by all sorts of beads, not to mention earrings of semi-precious stones.

The emphasis on creating a modern look from traditional Indian designs is convincingly projected by the company website  (www.fusionbyrajveer.eu) which was devised by a design house called Goradia Infotech – famous for creating sites for Bollywood actors and fashion stylists like Manish Malhotra and Vikram Phadnis.

Rajveer’s interest in art and fashion is partly attributable to the many hours she spent as a child helping her mother design and make fashionable garments for a loyal set of Indian clients. What she learned from the home-based business about different materials and colour combinations helped forge her confident foray into the fashion world.

Later, she sharpened her business skills in a partnership running an event management company called Cirrus, before leaving India to settle down with her husband in Holland.

In The Netherlands she attended university and learned to speak Dutch and was making a career in sales before the desire to be her own boss became too strong to resist.

Rajveer said: “I believe I can bring Indian design into the international market by giving these products a truly contemporary international look. I enjoy every bit of the business, from interacting with the designers, to supervising the creative process, to promoting the finished products. I make my own decisions without outside interference to produce beautiful objects that I believe women will be proud to wear.”

The chairman of the Skylink Travel Group received an Excellence Award from the NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Institute at a presentation ceremony in London attended by 400 people.

The event is held each year to honour people of Indian origin for outstanding achievements and excellence in their endeavours.

As SkyLink chairman, Mr Babra, a Sikh born in Punjab, has not only provided leadership for global growth of his business, he has ensured it has an internal support system which responds philanthropically to the special needs of people around the world.

The company, which sells air tickets to travel professionals, has provided support for people in dire circumstances on five continents over the years.

Humanitarian missions include SkyLink Aviation airlifting 100 UN workers and their families out of danger and delivering medication to victims of natural disasters, including the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Charitable works include Surjit Babra’s special assistance in helping the Sikh community to bring 149 new scrolls from the Golden Temple in Amritsar to Toronto to replace tattered Holy Scriptures. Skylink’s international headquarters is located in Toronto.

The sacred mission was accomplished by SkyLink Aviation airlifting the holy books, each occupying its own linen-covered seat in the aircraft. Mr Babra accompanied the scrolls on the flight to realise his dream of serving his faith at the highest level.

Syndicated radio show travel expert Stephanie Abrams, who has known Surjit Babra for almost two decades, said: “His warmth, sincerity, and kindness transcend his business goals.”

The guest list of the UK Chapter of the NRI Institute, which organised the event, included such prestigious individuals as Lord Swraj Paul, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Minister Parmjit Dhanda MP, Minister Liam Byrne MP and Keith Vaz MP.

The ceremony at the Radisson SAS Portman Hotel was sponsored by one of the oldest legal firms in the UK, Gullands Solicitors.

In 2006, Mr Babra was also honoured with an Award of Merit by B’nai Brith of Canada, the Jewish advocacy and community volunteer service organisation, along with Skylink co-founder, company president Walter Arbib, a Tunisian-born Jew.

Special presentations were made by Italy’s Consul General Emanuele Punzo and Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Shyamala Cowsik.

Examples supporting the award included:

2004: Arbib brought together the Jewish and Italian communities of Toronto to honor Giogio Perlasca, an Italian Holocaust hero who saved more than 5,000 Hungarian Jews. The event raised $350,000 for Jewish and Italian charities.

2005: SkyLink transported to its Ethiopian homeland the ancient 30-metre tall obelisk which Mussolini’s troops took to Rome in 1936. Mr Arbib encouraged governments in possession of stolen works of art to follow Italy’s lead in returning the works to their rightful homelands.

Now, 8 years later, I find myself in the same environment – but as a teacher.

Growing up in southeast London, I was your average asian boy, who was not exceptionally good at his studies but managed to get his 5 A-C GCSEs. I had always enjoyed science so I decided to do all three sciences and maths A’ levels. Because of the choice of subjects it was assumed that I was going to do medicine. That’s what my family wanted so I went along with that. I found the jump from GCSEs to A’ levels quite difficult and in the end I didn’t get my 3 ‘A’s – more like 3 ‘C’s. As a result I chose to study a chemistry based degree at De Montfort University Leicester.

Teaching was the last thing on my mind when I started university. However in the final year of my course I had to get more serious towards my education – I was never the model student. I worked hard and formed a very good relationship with my Lecturers whom I admired greatly – most of them. I had also helped friends and family with maths and science based work which I had thoroughly enjoyed. This is when I seriously thought about the possibility of pursuing a career in teaching.

I did my 1 year PGCE teacher qualification at Greenwich University straight after completing my degree. I did some lesson observations in my local sixth form, before doing the PGCE, which had helped me get into the course. It was a whole new experience. It was very different to what I had ever been through in all my education so far. I had learnt more about my chemistry subject as well as gaining lots of skills than I had gained in my whole degree. You not only have to know your subject material, but be able to teach it. It was quite an intense year but well worth it and also rewarding.

After finishing my PGCE I was fortunate enough to get a job in a sixth form college in Leyton – East London. Having just completed my 3rd year as a full time teacher I can reflect back and say, without hesitation, it has been a truly great experience. What can I say about the teaching field? Where do I start?

Some negative points first. Lots of time can be taken in preparing your teaching material. There can be lots of marking to do as well as administrative tasks. Your evening and weekends can be overtaken by this marking and preparation – you can almost get consumed by this level of workload. Students can be disruptive and difficult to deal with at times.

These are just some of the downside aspects of teaching. I am sure there are many more but this depends entirely on perspective and how you choose to view situations.

As for the positive points we can start with one of the best – up to 13 weeks paid holidays a year! What type of work do you know that gives you this? This can be very conducive to family life eg. getting holidays at the same time as your children and going for more frequent holidays abroad. As I write this I remind myself that in two days time I am breaking up for 6 weeks summer holidays – I will be the envy of all my family and friends. But don’t be deceived. What everyone doesn’t fully understand is that you really do deserve them.

In my current year I have approximately 200 students. I know all of them by name and a little about their individual personalities. There is never a dull day. You can never predict the day ahead. There has never been a day where the students haven’t made me smile or even laugh. The teacher’s role can be very dynamic. You play the role of an educator, a psychologist, a diplomat, a motivator, someone who inspires, who support and helps build character, a leader and even a humble student – you always learn something new. Once in awhile you may get a student approach you (someone you least expect) and they say that you have really made a positive difference in their learning. You feel you are just doing your job, but the effect of which can be life changing for the students. When you see your students do very well, who have gone to study further at university and having played an important role in their education, there can be nothing more rewarding than this. This is an aspect of teaching that will keep me in the teaching field for many more years to come. I tell my students to send their children to my college in the future, as I will still be here teaching.

If you are interested in teaching as a career you need to think about what level you would like to teach at. Be it primary, secondary or post-16? What had made me decide to do post-16, was having done a week’s observation at my local sixth form college and talking to the teachers – all giving their own viewpoints. The interaction I had with the students also gave me a very good insight and confirmed my decision. Some of you may find teaching in primary or secondary level more appealing so please do speak to teachers in these teaching areas.

The qualifications you need to get into teaching can vary. A good and relevant degree would be ideal. It could be in teaching itself or in the subject you wish to teach followed by a teaching qualification such as a PGCE. Enjoying your subject is a big help. Chemistry is something I enjoyed, and I felt I could pass on this enthusiasm, for the subject to the students. There are other routes into teaching which could be to train whilst being a teacher, and do your qualification part-time.

For further information I can recommend the following 2 websites:
www.tda.gov.uk & www.teachernet.gov.uk

Try to do a good amount of research before hand. I am sure this will help you decide if teaching is for you.

I had just started my lesson when a student walked in late. I and all the class looked at the student. The student looked nervous. I continued talking to the whole class while I raised my hand and pointed towards the empty chair. The student sat quietly. Later in the lesson, while the class were doing group work, I approached the student who was late ‘Next time try to come on time please.’

Your first visit

At Upton Park Dentalcare they believe that a healthy, good looking, natural smile is not just something for the lucky few, but something we can all enjoy. And what a difference it can make to your confidence!

From your first consultation, you will receive a warm welcome from our team, who will listen to your needs and will offer you expert advice. Dr Ubhi and his team will provide you with a full and clear explanation regarding diagnosis and any course of treatments required.

Practice Philosophy

• To lead our patients along a path good health and wellness, for life.

• To deliver the highest possible level of care, with empathy and understanding.

• To continually pursue excellence through continuing postgraduate education.

• To treat our patients as individuals.

Dr GS Ubhi
BDS Birm DRDP Lond

Dr GS Ubhi (Raj to his patients) combines experience, postgraduate education, and a gentle touch to provide his patients with exceptional restorative and cosmetic dental care. He truly cares about his patients, placing their comfort and satisfaction above all else.

Dr GS Ubhi qualified from University of Birmingham in 1996. He established his practice Upton Park Dentalcare in 1999. Since then he has achieved a Diploma in Restorative Dentistry from the International Centre of Excellence Eastman Dental Institute at University of London. He has completed the Aesthetic Dentistry training with Aesthetic Advantage “Dr Larry Rosenthal” from New York University and Functional Aesthetics program from the Advancement of Dentistry Centre in Florida.

Dr GS Ubhi has had specialised training in the CEREC 3D system from Harley Street, London.

Dr GS Ubhi has a specialist interest in Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry.

Due to Dr Ubhi’s considerable training and skill, he has been appointed a Vocational Dental Trainer for 7 years by the London Deanery, University of London. This involves training a newly qualified dentist at his practice and preparing them for a future in dentistry.

Book an appointment at Upton Park Dentalcare

Tel: 020 8552 9293
Email: info@uptonparkdentalcare.co.uk
Web: www.uptonparkdentalcare.co.uk

Mala presents the unique cuisine of this land offering you an exquisitely balanced menu of dishes from all over India. Mala also boasts a varied array of house specialties prepared by the team of expert chefs from the homeland. Not only is the food in MALA absolutely delicious, but you will experience the atmosphere in this spacious, very well located restaurant. MALA’s location on London’s St. Katharine’s Dock is probably the most unique in London, with the most beautiful views across the marina from anywhere in the restaurant. The walk alone to the restaurant, via these London docks, will get you excited…everytime.

Upon entering the restaurant, you will be greeted by a well dressed member of staff and more often than not, it will be by the pleasure of Vinnie Sandhu, restaurant owner. Vinnie’s cater towards all of his customer’s has clearly rubbed of onto all of the MALA staff.

Whether it’s your first visit, or you are a returning customer, you will be impressed with the interior design and décor, which it’s modern and a touch of stylishly Indian cultural arts and water fountains located elegantly around the restaurant.

The average spend per person is approx £25.00. A lot of people may think ‘that’s quite a bit’…but honestly, you’re not just paying for the food. Think of it as an experience that you will never forget, and without a doubt, will certainly recommend to others…saying pretty much everything that I’ve written in this review. It truly is an experience and a great place for you to take your partner, family, friends and work colleagues. Do you want to impress your boss? Take them to MALA.

To book a table at MALA Restaurant, please call:

020 7480 6356 / 020 7480 5031

or visit: www.malarestaurant.co.uk

P.S. Don’t forget to mention Sikhs Online!