UK (Commonwealth Union)_ During the weekend, more than 1,000 individuals from across the UK were honoured in King Charles III’s Birthday Honours List 2024. This year’s honours spotlight individuals who have profoundly impacted communities nationwide through innovation, transformative public service, and dedicated volunteerism, as highlighted by the UK Cabinet Office. Among those honoured are passionate community leaders, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, dedicated healthcare professionals, and committed volunteers.
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Noteworthy among the British Indians acknowledged is Shalni Arora, Vice-Chair of the British Asian Trust, who was awarded an OBE for her contributions to social cohesion and philanthropy. Recognized for decades of dedication to several charitable causes, Arora expressed, “This award is a testament not just to me but to the incredible work of so many partners. Together, we strive to create a more inclusive and compassionate society, and I share this award with everyone who has supported our mission.”
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Also honoured was Asif Rangoonwala, co-chair alongside Arora, who received a CBE. Accordingly, Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Chair of the British Asian Trust, extended congratulations, praising their leadership and significant impact on the lives of those they serve. Lord Gadhia said, “Their leadership has been pivotal in advancing our goals and making a tangible difference to the lives of those we serve. We are immensely proud of their achievements and this well-deserved recognition”. Here are the details of some of the distinguished professionals, academics, healthcare specialists, frontline workers, and community champions of Indian origin named in the 2024 Birthday Honours List.
The Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) was given to the following delegates.
- Jasvinder Kaur Sanghera CBE, the founder of Karma Nirvana and a Human Rights Campaigner, received the honour for services to the Victims of Child, Forced Marriage, and Honour-Based Abuse in North Yorkshire.
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) was given to the following delegates.
- Professor David Krishna Menon FMedSci, the Head of Division of Anaesthesia at University of Cambridge, received the honour for services to Neurocritical Care in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.
- Dipesh Jayantilal Shah OBE, Former Chair, National Highways, received the honour for services to Transport in London, Greater London.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBEs) was given to the following delegates.
- Shalni Arora, founder Trustee, Belong and Founder, Savannah Wisdom Charitable Foundation, received the honour for services to charity and philanthropy in Manchester, Greater Manchester.
- Dr Rabinder Kaur Buttar, Senior Enterprise Fellow at Strathclyde University, received the honour for services to Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership in Business, and to Life Sciences in Stirling, Stirling and Falkirk.
- Professor Shruti Kapila, Professor of History and Politics, Corpus Christi College at University of Cambridge, received the honour for services to Research in Humanities in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.
- Rosh Mahtani, founder, Alighieri Jewellery, received the honour for services to jewelry Design and Philanthropy in London, Greater London.
- Professor Rajesh Vasantlal Thakker, Former President, Society for Endocrinology, received the honour for services to Medical Science and to People with Hereditary and Rare Disorders in Oxford, Oxfordshire.
- Subhash Vithaldas Thakrar, former Chair, London Chamber of Commerce, received the honour for services to British Trade and Investment in Africa in London, Greater London.
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs) was given to the following delegates.
- Balwinder Kaur Dhanoa, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Progress Care Group, West Midlands, received the honour for services to Children with SEND and their Families in Solihull, West Midlands.
- Bharati Dwarampudi, Advanced Customer Support Senior Leader, Department for Work and Pensions received the honour for Public Service in Preston, Lancashire.
- Puneet Dwivedi received the honour for services to the community in Scotland in Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh.
- Dr Shobna Gulati, Actor, Writer, and Dancer, received the honour for services to the Cultural Industries in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
- Rakesh Kumar, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Hergest Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd, received the honour for services to the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Communities in Bangor, Gwynedd.
- Lakhbir Singh Mann, Founder of Gaysians, received the honour for services to Charity, Integration, and to LGBTQ+ Communities in London, Greater London.
- Nevita Pandya, Headteacher at Townley Grammar School, Bexleyheath, London Borough of Bexley, received the honour for services to Education in London, Greater London.
- Pradip Patel, Former Chair at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, received the honour for services to the NHS in London, Greater London.
- Maria Sarkar, Co-Founder and Vice-President of DriveWorks, received the honour for services to Manufacturing in Warrington, Cheshire.
- Dr Amar Shah, Chief Quality Officer, East London Foundation Trust and National Clinical Director for Improvement at NHS England, received the honour for services to Healthcare Improvement in London, Greater London.
- Kiran Jethalal Shah, Stuntman and Scaledouble, received the honour for services to the Film Industry in London, Greater London.
- Tanvi Bakul Kumar Vyas, Member of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, received the honour for services to Transport in
London, Greater London.
Medalists of the Order of the British Empire (BEMs) was given to the following delegates.
- Sellathurai Chandrakumar, Postmaster, received the honour for services to the community in Notting Hill, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, Greater London.
- Dr Amrik Singh Mahal, Global Head of IT for Research at AstraZeneca, received the honour for services to Science and the Covid-19 Response in Stockport, Greater Manchester.
- Jaysukhlal Shantilal Mehta, Director and OneJAIN Panel Coordinator at Institute of Jainology and OneJAIN UK, received the honour for services to Faith, Integration, and Humanitarianism in London, Greater London.
- Supriya Nagarajan, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Artistic Director at Manasamitra, received the honour forservices to Music in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
- Chandulal Hirji Rughani, Chair of Lohana Social Club, received the honour for services to the community in North London, Greater London.
