Jasvinder "Jaz" Rai OBE (Punjabi:: ਜਸਵਿੰਦਰ ਰਾਏ, born in Derby) is a British Aerospace engineer, community leader and chairperson of the Sikh Recovery Network which supports people with alcohol and drug addictions. He regularly talks about addiction and other issues of importance to the Sikh community in the media and in 2020, was recognised by 10 Downing Street for his work supporting people with drug and alcohol addiction. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours.
Jaz Rai | |
|---|---|
ਜਸਵਿੰਦਰ ਰਾਏ | |
 | |
| Born | Derby |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Engineering |
| Occupation(s) | Community Leader Aerospace Engineer |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Employer | Rolls-Royce |
| Known for | Supporting people with addictions |
| Television | Sikh Channel |
| Board member of | Sikh Recovery Network |
| Awards | Points of Light Award (2020) |
| Honours | Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire OBE (2021) |
Career and work
editJaz Rai is founder and chairperson of the Sikh Recovery Network.[1] He set up the network after his own addiction challenges with alcohol which included drinking up to 1 litre of vodka a day.[2][3] He now supports people with addictions in a number of cities including Leicester [4] and Derby.
In 2011, his relative Kalwinder Singh Dhindsa, designed the first Sikh poppy khanda holder in honour of the 80000 Sikhs that gave their lives in the world wars and raised thousands of pounds for the Royal British Legion.[5] As a result, they were both invited to attend the remembrance festival at London's Royal Albert Hall.[6]
In 2015, Jaz Rai hosted the first Alcohol and Beyond TV show on Sikh Channel and due to the success of the show it is currently in its 9th season.[7]
In 2016, he was invited to New York to address the UN's General Assembly over 3 days regarding the global challenges of the world drug problem.[8]
Awards and recognition
editIn 2019, his charity was given official recognition with the charity commission.[9]
In 2020, he was recognised as a ‘Points of Light’ winner by 10 Downing Street for his work supporting people with drug and alcohol addiction.[10][11]
In the 2021 Birthday Honours, Jaz Singh was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to the Sikh community during the COVID-19 pandemic.[12][13] He is one of a handful of Sikhs in the world to hold this distinction.
Views
editJaz Rai regularly talks about addiction and other issues of importance to the Sikh community in the media.[14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Sikhs urged to face addiction 'taboo'". BBC News. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "Derby man who drank a litre of vodka a day celebrates 10 years sober". derbytelegraph. 2 February 2019. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "Booze is Taboo Subject Among Sikhs but a Massive Problem, Says Recovering Alcoholic in Derby, UK". www.sikh24.com. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ Patel, Asha (2 February 2020). "How man who drank 1 litre of vodka a day turned his life around". leicestermercury. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "Poppy Appeal remembers Sikh soldiers 28.10.11". YouTube.
- ^ "Sikh poppy holder's creator has Royal date after remembrance event invite". SikhNet. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "Alcohol and Beyond". Sikh Channel. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "How Jaz a 'Lad from Derby' found himself called to address the United Nations". Derby Telegraph. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "Organisation that helps Derby alcoholics is now recognised charity". derbytelegraph. 27 September 2019. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "Sikh Recovery Network". Points of Light. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ "Rolls-Royce worker to get top award for helping recovering alcoholics". derbytelegraph. 31 May 2020. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ "15 Derbyshire people on the Queen's Birthday Honours list 2021". DerbyshireLive. 11 June 2021. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
- ^ "Sikhs honoured by the Queen in the Birthday Honours list". Asian Image. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
- ^ Samachar, Asia (20 June 2017). "Sikhs need to start talking about alcohol problem". Asia Samachar. Retrieved 28 March 2020.