United Kingdom (Commonwealth Union)_ This year, more than 30 people of Indian origin living in the UK have been named in King Charles III‘s Birthday Honours List for 2025. These awards are given to people who have made a strong mark in areas like public service, health, education, business, and the arts. Accordingly, Prem Babu Goyal, who works with the City of London Corporation, was recognized for his efforts in public service. Tanuja Randery from Amazon Web Services was honored for her work in business and technology. Professor Jagtar Singh, a senior NHS figure in Coventry and Warwickshire, was praised for his services to healthcare. These three pioneers received the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
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This year’s list also includes some well-known names. Former England football captain David Beckham has been given a knighthood for his work in sports and charity. The awards were made public during the king’s official birthday celebration over the weekend. Accordingly, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the awards recognized the hard work, dedication, and compassion across the country. “This list honors people from many walks of life. They each show what makes Britain great. I congratulate and thank them all,” he said. Other honors include the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). People like Sunita Arora, who manages a charitable foundation, and Nurse Avinderjit Bhatia, who serves the NHS, received these honors. Rita Hirani was also awarded for her work supporting women, LGBTQ groups, and victims of abuse.
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Additionally, Pooja Kanda, who lost her son Ronan in a knife attack, was given an OBE for her work in raising awareness about knife crime. Dr. Kulin Patel was honored for his work in animal health and global trade. Vaibhav Puri was recognized for his efforts in improving railway safety. Professor Pankaj Sharma received an OBE for his work in stroke research, particularly among South Asians. Ranjit Singh was praised for his contributions to education, while Dr. Parag Singhal was honored for promoting diversity in health education. Captain Jagjit Singh Sohal received an award for honoring Commonwealth soldiers who served Britain in World War I.
Several people of Indian background were named Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). These include Surdarshan Singh Chana, an Indian classical musician, for his work in music and Sikh culture, and Sonia Sabri, a dancer and performer, for her contributions to the arts. Dr. Richa Sinha, who leads the Scottish Hindu Foundation, was also awarded an MBE for helping the Hindu community and standing up against discrimination. Professor Raman Prinja, an astrophysicist at University College London, was honored for his contributions to science and education.
Other Indian-origin awardees were given the British Empire Medal (BEM). These include Adarsh Khullar of the Scottish Asian Ekta Group and community volunteer Santosh Sharma. Ram Prakash Gupta and Amish Dipakkumar Patel were also recognized for their service to their local communities. In total, more than a thousand people were included on this year’s list. Many were chosen because of the time and effort they have put into helping others. Famous actor Gary Oldman received a knighthood for his work in film. TV presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly received MBEs for their roles in British television.
Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden thanked the awardees for their service and urged the public to nominate others who deserve recognition. “If someone you know has made a big difference, put their name forward so we can celebrate their achievements too,” he said. The oldest person honored this year is William Irwin, aged 106, who received a BEM for helping his local area in Northern Ireland. For the first time, Duncan, Caroline, and Jenna Speirs, three members of the same family, all received medals for their fundraising efforts to support a charity that helps children with cancer. Every year, a special parade known as “Trooping the Colour” officially celebrates King Charles’s birthday in June, despite his birth on November 14.
