Over 1,000 people from across the UK received honours in King Charles III’s Birthday Honours List 2024 over the weekend.
The focus of this year’s list is individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of people across the country – such as by creating innovative solutions or driving real change in public life, according to the UK Cabinet Office which issues the list. Many are active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers.
Among the British Indians recognised in the list is British Asian Trust Vice-Chair Shalni Arora, who receives an OBE for services to Social Cohesion and Philanthropy. The Trust noted that she has dedicated decades to supporting numerous charitable causes.
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Arora said: “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.”
Her fellow co-chair Asif Rangoonwala receives a CBE and both were congratulated by Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Chair of the British Asian Trust.
“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,” Lord Gadhia said.
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Here’s a roll call of some of the Indian-origin professionals, academics, healthcare experts, frontline and community workers named in the 2024 Birthday Honours List…
Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)
Jasvinder Kaur SANGHERA CBE
Founder, Karma Nirvana and Human Rights Campaigner. For services to the Victims of Child, Forced Marriage and Honour-Based Abuse
(North Yorkshire)
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Professor David Krishna MENON FMedSci
Head of Division of Anaesthesia, University of Cambridge. For services to Neurocritical Care
(Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
Dipesh Jayantilal SHAH OBE
Lately Chair, National Highways. For services to Transport
(London, Greater London)
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBEs):
Shalni ARORA
Founder Trustee, Belong and Founder, Savannah Wisdom Charitable Foundation. For services to Charity and to Philanthropy
(Manchester, Greater Manchester)
Dr Rabinder Kaur BUTTAR
Senior Enterprise Fellow, Strathclyde University. For services to Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Business, and to Life Sciences
(Stirling, Stirling and Falkirk)
Professor Shruti KAPILA
Professor of History and Politics, Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge. For services to Research in Humanities
(Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
Rosh MAHTANI
Founder, Alighieri Jewellery. For services to Jewellery Design and to Philanthropy
(London, Greater London)
Professor Rajesh Vasantlal THAKKER
Lately President, Society for Endocrinology. For services to Medical Science and to People with Hereditary and Rare Disorders
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)
Subhash Vithaldas THAKRAR
Lately Chair, London Chamber of Commerce. For services to British Trade and Investment in Africa
(London, Greater London)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs)
Balwinder Kaur DHANOA
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Progress Care Group, West Midlands. For services to Children with SEND and their Families
(Solihull, West Midlands)
Bharati DWARAMPUDI
Advanced Customer Support Senior Leader, Department for Work and Pensions. For Public Service
(Preston, Lancashire)
Puneet DWIVEDI
For services to the community in Scotland
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Dr Shobna GULATI
Actor, Writer and Dancer. For services to the Cultural Industries
(Oldham, Greater Manchester)
Rakesh KUMAR
Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Hergest Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd. For services to the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities
(Bangor, Gwynedd)
Lakhbir Singh MANN
Founder, Gaysians. For services to Charity, Integration and to LGBTQ+ Communities
(London, Greater London)
Nevita PANDYA
Headteacher, Townley Grammar School, Bexleyheath, London Borough of Bexley. For services to Education
(London, Greater London)
Pradip PATEL
Lately Chair, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. For services to the NHS
(London, Greater London)
Maria SARKAR
Co-Founder and Vice-President of DriveWorks. For services to Manufacturing
(Warrington, Cheshire)
Dr Amar SHAH
Chief Quality Officer, East London Foundation Trust and National Clinical Director for Improvement, NHS England. For services to Healthcare Improvement
(London, Greater London)
Kiran Jethalal SHAH
Stuntman and Scaledouble. For services to the Film Industry
(London, Greater London)
Tanvi Bakul Kumar VYAS
Member, Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. For services to Transport
(London, Greater London)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEMs):
Sellathurai CHANDRAKUMAR
Postmaster. For services to the community in Notting Hill, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
(London, Greater London)
Dr Amrik Singh MAHAL
Global Head of IT for Research, AstraZeneca. For services to Science and the Covid-19 Response
(Stockport, Greater Manchester)
Jaysukhlal Shantilal MEHTA
Director and OneJAIN Panel Coordinator, Institute of Jainology and OneJAIN UK. For services to Faith, Integration and Humanitarianism
(London, Greater London)
Supriya NAGARAJAN
Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director, Manasamitra. For services to Music
(Dewsbury, West Yorkshire)
Chandulal Hirji RUGHANI
Chair, Lohana Social Club. For services to the community in North London
(London, Greater London)
*Info: British Asian Trust; Savannah Wisdom
