Jaz Rai

Jaz Rai (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.

Jaz Rai
ਜਸਵਿੰਦਰ ਰਾਏ
Born
Derby
NationalityBritish
EducationEngineering
OccupationCommunity Leader
Aerospace Engineer
Years active2006–present
EmployerRolls-Royce
Known forSupporting people with addictions
TelevisionSikh Channel
Board member ofSikh Recovery Network
AwardsPoints of Light Award (2020)

Career and work

Jaz Rai is founder and chairperson of the Sikh Recovery Network.[1] He setup 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

In 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]

Views

Jaz Rai regularly talks about addiction and other issues of importance to the Sikh community in the media.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Sikhs urged to face addiction 'taboo'". BBC News. 2017-06-17. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  2. "Derby man who drank a litre of vodka a day celebrates 10 years sober". derbytelegraph. 2019-02-02. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  3. "Booze is Taboo Subject Among Sikhs but a Massive Problem, Says Recovering Alcoholic in Derby, UK". www.sikh24.com. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  4. Patel, Asha (2020-02-02). "How man who drank 1 litre of vodka a day turned his life around". leicestermercury. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  5. "Poppy Appeal remembers Sikh soldiers 28.10.11". YouTube.
  6. "Sikh poppy holder's creator has Royal date after remembrance event invite". SikhNet. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  7. "Alcohol and Beyond". Sikh Channel. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  8. "How Jaz a 'Lad from Derby' found himself called to address the United Nations". Derby Telegraph. 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  9. "Organisation that helps Derby alcoholics is now recognised charity". derbytelegraph. 2019-09-27. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  10. "Sikh Recovery Network". Points of Light. 2020-03-18. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  11. "Rolls-Royce worker to get top award for helping recovering alcoholics". derbytelegraph. 2020-05-31. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  12. Samachar, Asia (2017-06-20). "Sikhs need to start talking about alcohol problem". Asia Samachar. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
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