An Uncensored Life: Zerbanoo Gifford

Date

December 2, 2015

Post by

arZan

Category

Books

The official launch of this book is planned during the Times Litfest in Mumbai on December 4th, 2015

‘An Uncensored Life’ by seasoned editor Farida Master, is a compelling biography of the human rights campaigner Zerbanoo Gifford. A game changer at the heart of the women’s movement, an author of numerous history books on our shared heritage, Zerbanoo is the founder of the ground breaking international ASHA Centre for the empowerment of young people.

The official launch of this book is planned during the Times Litfest in Mumbai on December 4th, 2015

zerbanoo_paperback_2nd_november

Born in India, Zerbanoo moved to London at the age of four. By her early thirties she had become a pioneer for Asians in British public life. She chaired committees, advised political leaders and was the first Asian woman to stand for Parliament, having made history being elected onto Harrow Council.  Both local and global in her determination to see real change, Zerbanoo worked for the homeless charity ‘SHELTER’ and was director of ‘Anti-Slavery International’ the oldest human rights organisation in the world.

Overcoming racial attacks, political disenchantment, legal battles against the Government and a near-death experience, Zerbanoo’s is a gripping story of a fearless woman who has held fast to the causes of equality and global justice. Her story spans a period of unprecedented social change in Britain. Described as a warrior princess, she is also known as a cosmic networker, connecting people of all backgrounds, faiths and traditions in celebrating our humanity.

FWM6A6509_1In the words of Bishop Desmond Tutu: ‘Zerbanoo’s vision has led to alternative ways to make a real difference in the world– and she trod that path, regardless of the challenges’. For philanthropist Meera Gandhi, ‘Zerbanoo has helped to empower women to take their rightful place in the international arena. Her story reads as a modern tale of shakti power.’ And for industrialist Ratan Tata ‘this biography of a remarkable lady reflects the momentous changes of our age and the importance of investing in the future of the world’s young.’

Ranging from funny to fascinating, spiritually uplifting to downright outrageous, Zerbanoo’s life stories illustrate the challenges facing women in the modern world, but also the triumphs and possibilities available to those open to life. As publisher and film producer Nari Hira says, ‘this amazing biography by the talented editor Farida Master, is meticulously crafted; each word, each sentence, each paragraph is riveting. From the first page to the very last sentence this biography is unputdownable’.

For further details and photographs, please contact

The ASHA Centre

Email:

Tel +44 (O)1594 822330

 

Zerbanoo’s commitment and tireless campaigning for justice and human rights is an inspiration to us all. The ASHA centre she founded is a symbol of harmony where people of different beliefs and faiths unite in their understanding that we can live in a peaceful world.

Arvind Singh Mewar

“Zerbanoo’s commitment to peace, to young people and to creating a better world is evident from her track record. As the first Asian woman in modern British politics elected as a Liberal councillor, her vision led to alternative ways to make a real difference in the world – and she trod that path, regardless of the challenges. Today we can see that journey has borne much fruit and give thanks for all she stands for”

Bishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize

Zerbanoo Gifford’s generous life spans the fields of human rights, politics, writing and philanthropy. She is global in her vision and achievements from directing Anti-Slavery International to establishing a world class centre for youth empowerment. This biography of a remarkable lady reflects the momentous changes of our age and the importance of investing in the future of the world’s young.

Ratan N. Tata

A compelling biography of a renowned human rights campaigner at the heart of the women’s movement . Zerbanoo has helped to empower women to take their rightful place in the international arena. Her story reads as a modern tale of shakti power.

Meera Gandhi – CEO and Founder

An amazing biography by the talented Farida Master. Meticulously crafted, each word, each sentence, each paragraph is riveting. From the first page to the very last sentence this biography is unputdownable.

Nari Hira

 

 

ABOUT ZERBANOO GIFFORD

Zerbanoo 5Author, human rights campaigner and founding director of the ASHA Foundation and the ASHA Centre.

Zerbanoo Gifford holds the International Woman of the Year Award 2006 for her humanitarian work, which spans over thirty years of grassroots and global activism.

In 1989, Zerbanoo was presented with the Nehru Centenary Award for her work championing the rights of women, children and minorities.

A pioneer for Asian women in British public life, Zerbanoo made history by being elected as a Liberal councillor in 1982 in Harrow and being the first non white woman to stand for parliament in 1983 and then again in 1987 and 1992. Zerbanoo was elected to the Liberal Party’s Federal Executive, again the first non white to be elected onto any governing body of a British political party. She was a member of the Liberals Women’s SDP committee.

In 1992 she co-chaired Dadabhai Naoroji centenary to celebrate the election of the first non white member of Parliament. She wrote the biography on Naoroji, known as the grand old man of India.

Zerbanoo chaired the Community Relations Panel and went on to chair the commission ‘Looking into ethnic minority involvement in British Life’. In 1997 she was invited to become a member of an advisory committee to the British Home Secretary, The Right Hon Jack Straw MP.

A director of Anti Slavery International, Zerbanoo was awarded the Freedom of the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, for her work combating modern racism. Her book on “Thomas Clarkson and the campaign against slavery” was instrumental in highlighting the life of the first human rights campaigner who was eventually recognised for his pivotal role in the abolition movement in Westminster Abbey.

In 2007, Zerbanoo received the international Splendor Award in Hollywood, for her lifetime achievements in the field of equality and human rights.

In 2010 to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of American Suffrage she was honoured by the Sewall-Belmont Museum in Washington DC in an exhibition commemorating key women who advanced women’s rights.

Zerbanoo has been a women’s magazine editor and was nominated for the British Editors Award. She has written widely on historical, social and political themes, with all proceeds of her books going to nominated charities. She has been one of the contributors to Video Nations and made two documentaries on Street Children for Channel 5.

· The Golden Thread, Asian Experiences of Post-Raj Britain – pioneering work drawing attention to the achievements of over one hundred British Asian women

· Dadabhai Naoroji, Britain’s First Asian MP – to compliment the Dadabhai Naoroji Centenary celebrations in 1992, which Zerbanoo co-chaired

· The Asian Presence in Europe – used in schools as a book on Asians who have helped to transform our lives

· Thomas Clarkson and the Campaign Against Slavery –used in events marking bi-centenary of abolition of the Trans Atlantic Slave trade in 2007

· Foreword: Race and British Electoral Politics

· South Asian Funding in the UK – Commissioned to be used by the charitable sector

· Celebrating India – widely used in schools on 50th anniversary of Indian independence and to compliment a Channel Four schools programme on India

· Encyclopaedia Britannica – An article written on Child Slavery

· Confessions to a Serial Womaniser: Secrets of the World’s Inspirational Women – featuring interviews with 300 exceptional women from 60 countries. The book, website and international mentoring project are the result of Zerbanoo’s being awarded a NESTA (National Endowment of Science, Technology and Arts) Fellowship. The website mentoring project is now being developed into a multi-media resource.

Zerbanoo has been involved in numerous charitable organisations, both national and international. She has been honoured by having a College named after her at The Dean Academy in Gloucestershire.

· Founder of the ASHA Foundation and ASHA Centre

· President of the Harrow Zoroastrian Association

· Director of Anti-Slavery International

· Director of Charities Aid Foundation India

· London Organiser for Shelter

· Patron of United Nations Year of Peace

· Patron of Asian Friends of the RSPCA

· Patron of United Religions Initiative

· President of the Trauma Awareness Centre

· Patron of Minorities of Europe

· Patron of the Bishop Simeon Trust

· Patron of the Day Care Trust

· Patron of Mummy’s House for Mumbai Street Children

· Vice-chair of the Community Sector of the Prince’s Youth Business Trust

· Trustee of Urban Trust

· Advisory Board member of Public Concern at Work

· Advisory Board of Caduceus

· Council Member of the Voluntary Arts Network

· Board Member of the Independent Broadcasting Trust

· Co-founder of Warwick University Centre for Research Into Asian Migration

· Co-chair of the Dadabhai Naoroji centenary celebrations

AWARDS

Zerbanoo has received many international accolades for her campaigning for human rights.

· Freedom of the City of Lincoln, Nebraska – in recognition of campaigns against modern forms of slavery and racism

· Nehru Centenary Award for championing the rights of women, children and minorities internationally

· Asian Times Award for Achievement and Services to British public life

· Asian City Club Award for services to the media

· International Woman of the Year 2006 for her humanitarian work

· Splendor Award in 2007 for human rights achievements

· 100 Words – 200 Visionaries – Chosen as one of 200 visionaries internationally to share her insight on how to tackle the issues of the day

· 90th Anniversary of American Suffrage 2010 honoured by the Sewall-Belmont Museum in Washington DC commemorating women who advanced women’s rights

Other Biographical listings – Debrett’s, Five Hundred Leaders of Today, Who’s Who of Asians, Eminent Parsees, Who’s Who of International Women.

The ASHA Centre, Lower Spout Lane, Flaxley, GL17 0EA

Tel- 01594 822330 Email ashacentre@yahoo.co.uk Website www.ashacentre.org

1 Comment

  1. Deanyar Ilavia

    Heard Zerbanoo speak at the Times Literary Festival. An awesome, enlightening talk about the Zoroastrian community and her extraordinary life. A natural orator.