 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Thirteen Indians, including Bhangra artist Malkit Singh, have been awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Britian's Queen Elizabeth-II in her New Year honours.
Two other Indians have also been awarded Order of the British Empire (OBE).
"I feel over the moon. It was a dream come true to be honoured by the Queen. It is an award not only for me, but for all our community and for India," Malkit Singh said.
Singh, who just returned from India, said he would perform on the eve of New Year in central London.
The nominees for OBE awards are: Prof Rajvinder Singh Kandola, member, National Employment Panel and Chennakesavalu Rajagopal, medical practitioner, Ministry of Defence.
The recipients of MBEs are: Bhangra artist Malkit Singh, Subhash Anand, professor of Technical Textiles, University of Bolton, Kiran Bali, director, Yorkshire and Humber Faiths Forum, writer Debjani Chatterjee, Gurbachan Singh Dhinsa, vice-chairman, Greets Green New Deal for Communities, Sukhbinder Johan, chief executive, Culture East Midlands and physician Pradeep Balbir Khanna.
Arti Kumar, associate director, centre for excellence in teaching and learning, University of Bedfordshire, social activist Ranjan Dhirendra Manek, Bajrang Bahadur Mathur, chairman, Hillingdon Carers, Rajendra Rattan, dentist, Bromley Primary Care Trust, Ashwin Shah, general medical practitioner, Newham, London, and Amajit Talwar, chief executive, Punch Records have been awarded the British honour.
Kylie Minogue, actress and singer whose battle to overcome cancer inspired millions, was chosen for OBE along with Sri Lankan-born veteran BBC broadcaster George Alagiah.