Salim
Ismail Kholwadia MBE was the first person of Asian descent to be
born in Gloucestershire.
Salim
Kholwadia being presented to the Queen
His
parents came from a village called Makhinga in Gujarat India. Salim
attended Tredworth and Linden Boys School.
He
has also attended Gloucester and Stroud Technical Colleges and was
awarded the Outstanding Adult Learner's Award by the National Institute
of Adult Continuing Education.
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Salim
has worked for ABM Chemicals Ltd, Trident General Insurance and
Dowty Aerospace. He is currently employed at HM Customs and Excise.
He works in a highly-specialised team which controls some of the
largest UK businesses for VAT and insurance premium tax.
Salim
Kholwadia (second left) uses his computer skills to help his
family and the wider community
It
was for his highly commendable work in this field that the Queen
awarded him the MBE in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace -
it is believed that Salim was the first Muslim British citizen of
Gujerati descent to be honoured in this way in UK history.
Salim
has one brother named Shoieb, who with his father Ismail and Salim's
wife Zubeda, went to Buckingham Palace where Salim had a short conversation
with Queen Elizabeth before she pinned the medal on him.
