Image Caption: Warwick University’s Dean of Medicine, Professor Sudhesh Kumar, who was awarded an OBE for services to medicine and diabetes care in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The Royal Honours list has recently been released, revealing recipients of the UK’s most prestigious award for civilians. Past honours lists have featured members of the Indian community in fields ranging from medicine to the arts. Amongst this year’s recipients were a nurse, a boxing referee and professor from the University of Oxford.
As a biannual tradition, the honours list is released on New Year’s Eve and also in early summer. The practice began in 1860 with then monarch, Queen Victoria, and has so far endured the test of time.
The list revealed just a few weeks ago, like many previous ones, marked the contributions of the Indian community to medicine. University of Nottingham’s Harminder Singh, a professor of Ophthalmology, was amongst names on the list. Delna Ghandi, who has written extensively on combatting tropical diseases, was also named.
Dean of Warwick Medical School, Sudesh Kumar, was amongst the doctors on the list as were Gulbash Singh Chandok and Rajesh Patel, from Hertfordshire and Greater Manchester respectfully.
University of Oxford professor in Chinese modern history and politics, Rana Mitter, was also on the list. Other names on the OBE and MBE list include Essex boxing referee Amrik Singh Basi and specialist blood and transplant nurse, Shibu Chacko.
The list recognised achievements from a diverse range of professionals with varied skillsets. Arvinda Gohil was hailed for services to the community which included organising housing for disadvantaged members of the community. Similarly, Narinder Kaur Kooner was recognised for the provision of services for disadvantaged community members in the West Midlands. Hertfordshire- based Reena Ranger was recognised for commendable work with BAME (black and minority ethnic women).
Samir Shah was noted for work in the heritage sector as well as television. When it came to visual arts, Birmingham based Skinder Singh Hundal was recognised for his contributions. Vallabh Kaviraj also made the list for contributions to Asian media. On a similar note, Cary Rajinder Sawhney was on the list for work in film.
When it came for services for education, Amarjit Kaur Cheema gained recognition for work in the West Midlands. Navnit Singh Chana was noted for contributions in the field of clinical education.
Other recipients included Arun Kumar Batra, whose work in the public sector in relation to faith and integration was commended. Manmeet Singh Panesar also made the list for his work on product safety.
Overall, the names on the honours list shed light on a range of talent and inspiring achievements from the Indian community.
Huma Khan
