Asian Business Chamber celebrates Diwali with a ‘Spark to Start’
The Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) celebrated Diwali yesterday, where prominent business leaders talked about the spark that started their careers.
The event, held at Birmingham City Football Club, was sponsored by Barclays Bank.
Diwali – the festival of light - celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness and is a time of year when families, friends and communities come together in a spirit of celebration and joy. It is an important celebration among Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
Keeping up with the Diwali spirit of happiness and light, the event also featured sitar music and diya (lamp) painting.
The event was hosted by ABCC committee member Sartaj Gill and guests were welcomed by newly elected president Monica Ghai.
Monica said: “This festival holds deep meaning for millions around the world, and yet, its message transcends all boundaries of culture, religion, or geography.
“It reminds us that even the smallest flame can dispel the deepest shadow, a beautiful metaphor, not only for our personal lives but also for our professional journeys.
“In the world of business, we too encounter darkness through uncertainty, challenges, and setbacks. But Diwali teaches us that with perseverance, unity, and the courage to innovate, we can bring light to those moments.
“It encourages us to lead with integrity, to value relationships, and to recognize that success shines brightest when shared with others.”
The panel of speakers included Jigna Varu, founder & CEO of VARU Beauty; Dr Rupa Parmar, Private GP and medical director of Midland Health; and Sunil Kumar Mahay, director and solicitor of Vasu Legal.
Jigna Varu spoke about the importance of Diwali in a business perspective. She said: “Diwali is about Lord Ram defeating the demon Ravan — but at its heart, it’s really about love.
“In business too, we all face our own demons — cash flow, uncertainty, self-doubt — but if we approach them with love and compassion, we can overcome them. That’s what keeps me going.”
“I always wanted to be a chemist and a makeup artist. The shift from science to entrepreneurship felt natural because I’d dreamed of running my own business from a young age. But it was going through darkness and bullying that truly sparked my journey — that pain became my turning point.”
Dr Rupa Parmar spoke about the importance of the festival as a medical professional. She said: “For me, Diwali is about light overcoming darkness — about resilience, renewal, and gratitude.
“It reminds me to pause and reflect on the lessons from each victory. As a doctor, I often see people in their darkest moments, and it’s a privilege to bring some light and renewal into their lives.”
“The spark for me came from frustration — seeing how red tape and government burdens affected patient care. Listening to patients’ struggles made me realise there had to be a better way.
“I found inspiration in Australia’s healthcare model, where public and private sectors work together, and that’s how my journey to reshape healthcare began.”
For Sunil Kumar Mahay, the spark was ignited when he realised the lack of work-life balance.
He said: “When a close family member fell seriously ill, I asked my employer for two weeks off — but was told to take my laptop with me.
“That was the moment I realised I needed to think about myself and my purpose. It sparked the idea that led to founding Vasu Legal.
“The name Vasu comes from Sanskrit — it means divine protection, light, and hope. That’s what we aim to be for our clients: a light guiding them through their darkest times.”
Meanwhile, Birmingham City Football Club CEO Jeremy Dale spoke about Birmingham’s Sports Quarter – a 125-acre development project set to create 14,000 jobs through a £3bn investment.
Jeremy said: “The Sports Quarter will bring a £750m economic boost to the city annually and we are making sure it will be at the heart of the community – creating an open and welcoming space.
“The initiative will also feature a training centre for different types of trades, keep money inside the city through.
“Over the coming months, we are planning to conduct consultations with local communities to find ways to make the sports quarter accessible.”
Pictured from left to right: Sartaj Gill, Dr Rupa Parmar, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) president Nasir Awan, GBCC acting deputy CEO Raj Kandola, Monica Ghai, GBCC CFO Helen Bates, Jigna Varu, sitar artist Gurdeep Singh Dhami, and Sunil Kumar Mahay
