The family of one of UK's prominent Indian-origin peers, who was known as the "Curry King", have announced the creation of a new 2 million pounds charity in his memory.
Lord Gulam Noon's 200-million-pound Noon Products business is credited with Britain developing a taste for "chicken tikka masala".
The Mumbai-born entrepreneur lost his battle with liver cancer last year aged 79 and his daughters marked his first death anniversary last week with the launch of Noon Memorial Legacy Trust.
"I am proud to launch this new initiative and continue my father's philanthropic work through 'The Noon Memorial Legacy Trust'. As my father very often said: 'Hands that help are holier than the lips that pray', this ethos has taught me to carry this torch and continue where he left off," said his daughter Zeenat Noon Harnal.
The aim of the Trust will be to raise over 2 million pounds to extend the Noon Hospital created by Lord Noon in his hometown of Bhawani Mandi in Rajasthan.
In the UK, funds from the Trust will go towards the Noon Centre for Equality and Diversity in Business, which he set up in his capacity as Chancellor of University of East London to offer mentoring and employment to create workplace diversity.
"Noon Hospital in particular, which helps the poor and needy in Rajasthan, was one very close to his heart. The Noon Centre for Equality and Diversity in Business at UEL was another one of his brainchild and way ahead of its time, supporting students with opportunities andexperiences that perhaps they would not have had otherwise," added Zeenat, who is joined by sister Zarmin Noon Sekhon as a trustee.
Other trustees of the charity include Lord Kamlesh Patel - a Labour member of the House of Lords, Akbar Shirazi, David Robinson and Michael Jepson.
"Ihave seen first-hand the difference these projects have made to the lives of many thousands of people, and the opportunities they have provided for them to improve their lives," Lord Patel said.
The Trust has already raised a considerable amount of its 2-million-pound target with Kerry Foods, the company which acquired Noon Products, announcing a 250,000-pound donation as part of a partnership with the new charity.
"The hospital (Lord Noon) opened in Bhawani Mandi heals by the enormous skills of doctors, surgeons and nurses who are encouraged to give of their time and skills to cure those who would be without hope and so the role model is renewed in others," said Robinson, a friend of the late peer.
LordNoonarrived in London in 1966 after a stint in the US. He set up the iconicNoonProducts giving the UK a taste for mildly spiced Indian food. Over his 46 years in Britain, Noonwas awarded an MBE in 1996 and made a Knight Bachelor in 2002. In January 2011, he became a life peer and was introduced in the House of Lords.
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