Cherie Blair - Guest of Honour
Book launch of the Asian Who's Who 23rd Edition -2010

"I am delighted to be here as guest of honour. Of course I have attended Asian Who's Who Gala dinners before. It is always a very important and glamorous evening and an opportunity for people who are doing something right to be recognised

Many of you know that as President of the Loomba Foundation, I was proud five years ago at the House of Lords to have have launched International Widows Day as a global annual day of action to draw attention to the plight of disadvantaged widows all over the world. This was an idea of Raj Loomba, himself formerly a winner of the Asian of the Year award - and since that time we have campaigned hard to gain recognition of International Widows Day as an annual United Nations event. I am delighted that the Goverment of Gabon has sponsored a resolution to this effect which has passed through the UN 3rd Committee and I am very hopeful that IWD will soon get the recognition that this important cause deserves.

I congratulate Mr. Sachar - the founder of the Asian Who's Who, who has established a charity, Asian Who's Who Foundation in memory of his beloved wife, who was also the co-founder of this wonderful organisation. I am particularly delighted that the new Foundation will support need children and women, since both these issues are very close to my heart.

I wish you all a very good evening."

Cherie Blair.