BY A STAFF REPORTER
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Wilshire Grand Hotel here, on June 20 was the venue of the 2008 South Asian Biz Awards Night which saw individuals and a business group felicitated for their achievements in eight different categories.

Bhikhubhai Patel, Founder of the Tarsadia group of hotels, was given an award for being the ‘Best South Asian Entrepreneur.’ A well known figure in the Indian-American community, Patel is known for his support to several charities and recognized for being the President of the popular Santan Dharma Temple in Norwalk.

The ‘Best South Asian American Young Entrepreneur’ award was received by Manan Singh Katohora. The young businessman runs an indie film production company JMD Creations based in New York. Also creative, Katohora recently released a film he scripted, “When Kiran Met Karen.” His future celluloid releases will feature comedians Vidur Kapur and Dan Nainan who endeared himself recently the Indian-American community with a performance in So Cal.

Hashmath Malik, of Prime Time Tours and Travel in Artesia was named the ‘Best Indo-American Entrepreneur.’ The Hyderabad born and Osamania University graduate has plied his business successfully for the past 28 years.

Nasir Mogul, President and CEO of Anchor Financial Services, the Anchor Wealth Group and other business entities spread around the world got the ‘Best Pakistani American Entrepreneur’ award. The ‘Best Bangladesh American Entrepreneur’ award went to Abu Zubair, principal of ZRanch, LLC, in the Imperial Valley, which specializes in agricultural production, packing and distribution throughout Southern California. He also promotes healthy eating in more than 1,400 Los Angeles Unified School Districts.

Mohammed Ibrahim, the founder of Kool Freeze Premium Frozen Product, Inc., in Ontariowas honored as ‘Best South Asian American Emerging Entrepreneur.’

The ‘Best South Asian Favorite Corporation’ award was presented to Prudential Financial and was accepted by Ed Morales, Vice-President of Diversity, and Company Representative Pamela Kwatra.

Shaila Rao Mistry, president of JAYCO MMI, Inc., of  Corona was named ‘Best South Asian American Entrepreneur.’ She was not present to receive her award.

All the awards were given away by Ken Singh, Chairman of SABAN. The emcee of the evening was KABC reporter Subha. Entertainment at the event was provided by  comedienne Rasika Mathur and the UCLA Bollywood Dance Team.