Rajinder Paul Loomba, born on 13 November 1943 in Dhilwan, Punjab, India, is a renowned philanthropist, the founder and executive chairman of the Loomba Group, and a distinguished member of the House of Lords. His journey from a modest upbringing in India to becoming a prominent figure in the UK is nothing short of inspirational.
Rajinder Paul Loomba was one of seven children, raised in the state of Punjab. He received his education at D.A.V. College, Jalandhar, and later at the University of Iowa. In 1962, his family moved to England, where Loomba began his career in the fashion industry.
Starting with a stall at Widnes market, Rajinder Paul Loomba gradually expanded his business into a shop, a wholesale business, and eventually, an import company known as Rinku Group Ltd. Today, the company boasts over 200 retail concession outlets in the UK, with offices in London, Delhi, and China, supplying major retail groups.
Loomba’s success in business is paralleled by his commitment to community and philanthropy. He is an active member of the Rotary Club in London, the Institute of Directors, and holds the honor of Freeman of the City of London. Additionally, he serves as the Chairman of the Friends of the Three Faiths Forum, is a Patron of Children In Need India, and the Founding Patron of the World Punjabi Organisation.
His roles extend to Vice President positions at Barnardo’s and the Safer London Foundation, a charity supported by the Metropolitan Police. In 1997, his contributions were recognized when he was named Asian of the Year UK by Asian Who’s Who International.
Rajinder Paul Loomba: Charity Work and The Loomba Foundation
Loomba’s philanthropic efforts are deeply personal and driven by his mother’s experience as a widow. Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba was widowed at 37 in India, facing significant social and economic discrimination. Witnessing her struggles inspired Loomba to dedicate his life to addressing the plight of widows worldwide.
In honor of his mother, Rajinder Paul Loomba established The Loomba Foundation, which focuses on raising awareness about widowhood and supporting widows and their children in developing countries.
The foundation’s flagship initiative is International Widows Day, observed annually on 23 June, the anniversary of his mother’s widowhood. Through his persistent advocacy, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized 23 June as International Widows Day in 2010.
The Loomba Foundation’s work is transformative, providing educational opportunities for children of poor widows and empowering widows in South Asia and Africa. This initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also promotes long-term societal change, fostering gender equality and human rights.
Recognition and Honors
Rajinder Paul Loomba’s contributions to charity and society have not gone unnoticed. In the 2008 Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his charitable work. He received this prestigious award from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
House of Lords
On 12 January 2011, Rajinder Paul Loomba was ennobled as a life peer, becoming Baron Loomba of Moor Park in Hertfordshire. He took his seat in the House of Lords on 13 January 2011, initially representing the Liberal Democrats. He made his maiden speech during a debate on the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Amendment) Bill on 21 January 2011.
In December 2016, Lord Loomba chose to leave the Liberal Democrats and now sits as a non-affiliated Peer. This decision was driven by his desire to focus on critical issues such as human rights, gender equality, education, and the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
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