CHEF Rana Miah’s life fell apart when he was left with serious head injuries after trying to stop car thieves.

He lost his business, his partner and the hearing in his left ear and was hospitalised for three months.

But the 37-year-old has fought back from his experience – and now he’s launching a new restaurant.

Rana, who used to run Indian restaurant Dilraj, in Faringdon Road, was dragged 165 yards by a car as he tried to stop thieves making off with his business partner’s taxi in 2005.

Rana said: “I asked them not to take the car and said my driver would take them anywhere they wanted to go. They were throwing abuse at me so I tried to pull one of them out of the car. He pulled off with me hanging on. He was going too fast and I didn’t know what to do. They started pushing me. I was left unconscious on the road.”

Rana was unable to return to work for months and a build-up of bills meant he was left with no option but to close his restaurant.

He said: “All my life I always had money but suddenly I lost it. I was ashamed to ask for help. My life used to be very good – I went out all the time with my family and on holidays. But over the last three years I have achieved nothing. Everybody used to flood into my previous restaurant. I put my heart and soul into the place – when I drive past it hurts me.”

The experience has left Rana with scars on his right side and high blood pressure means he has to take medication.

But an employment course has helped him turn his life around and he is unveiling his new Indian takeaway RAFU-S in Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill this week.

Attending a 15-week Employability Skills programme run by A4e funded by the Learning And Skills Council gave him the incentive to start again.

“I was in a deep rut and on the dole and feeling very depressed when I heard of the A4e course run at the Shaftesbury Centre, in Percy Street.

“I got to meet other like-minded people and worked on my literacy and numeracy skills.

“But crucially, I got the bug of wanting to set up my own business and got the necessary advice and support from A4e and Job Centre Plus to make my dream come true.”

Rana is grateful to his A4e tutor Bill Foster, who he describes as an inspiration and Stratton Catering, which is supporting his new venture.

A4e spokesman Kevin Kelway said: “We are immensely proud of Rana and what he has achieved. Because of his hard work and dedication to succeed, he is a fantastic role model.”

Rana hopes to open another restaurant in the town centre after RAFU-S, which is a franchise, becomes established.