Indian-Origin Public Service Heroes On King Charles's Birthday Honours List
London:
Public service heroes, healthcare and technology experts, artistes and educationists are among over 30 professionals of Indian heritage to be recognised in King Charles III's Birthday Honours List 2025.
Prem Babu Goyal from the City of London Corporation for public service contributions, Tanuja Randery of Amazon Web Services for services to business and tech sector and Professor Jagtar Singh from the National Health Service (NHS) in Coventry and Warwickshire for services to the NHS lead the charge as Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Former England football captain David Beckham receives a Knighthood for services to sport and charity in the annual list released on Friday night to coincide with the 76-year-old British monarch's official birthday celebrations this weekend.
"This year's Birthday Honours List is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary dedication, compassion and service that exists in every corner of our country," said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
"From community champions to cultural icons, each recipient reflects the very best of Britain. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to them all," he said.
The list, released annually by the UK Cabinet Office in the name of the monarch, includes Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBEs) honours for Sunita Arora of the Arora Charitable Foundation for services to the charitable sector and philanthropy, Nurse Avinderjit Bhatia for services to the NHS and nursing, and Rita Hirani for services to women, the LGBTQ community and victims of domestic abuse.
Pooja Kanda, who has been campaigning against knife crime since losing her son Ronan to a fatal stabbing, has also been conferred with an OBE for services to the prevention of knife crime, along with Dr Kulin Kantilal Patel for services to animal health and international trade, Vaibhav Puri for services to rail safety and standards, Professor Pankaj Sharma for services to research in strokes in South Asian people, Ranjit Singh for services to further education, Dr Parag Singhal for services to health education and black and minority ethnic doctors, and Captain Jagjit Singh Sohal, Chair of the World War I Sikh Memorial Fund, for services to the commemoration of Commonwealth soldiers who served Great Britain.
Indian-origin professionals receiving Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the honours list include Indian classical musician Surdarshan Singh Chana for services to music and Sikh culture and artiste Sonia Sabri for services to dance.
Dr Richa Sinha, Chair of the Scottish Hindu Foundation, receives an MBE for services to the Hindu community in Scotland and to tackling Hinduphobia and Raman Kant Prinja, Professor of Astrophysics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, has been recognised for services to academia and education.
Adarsh Khullar of the Scottish Asian Ekta Group and charity volunteer Santosh Sharma are among those receiving Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM), along with Ram Prakash Gupta and Amish Dipakkumar Patel for community service.
They are among over a thousand recipients recognised for their exceptional achievements, with a particular focus on those who have given their time to public service. English actor and filmmaker Gary Oldman receives a Knighthood for services to drama, while television artists Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly both receive MBEs for services to broadcasting.
"I send my congratulations to all of the recipients of this year's Birthday Honours List, and thank them for their contributions to their communities and the country. If you know someone who has done something incredible, nominate them for an honour so the nation can recognise their achievements," said Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden.
The oldest recipient this year is William Irwin who, at 106 years old, receives a BEM for services to the community at Coleraine in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. For the first time, three members of the same family -- Duncan Speirs, Caroline Jane Speirs and Jenna Catherine Helen Speirs -- are all receiving BEMs for services to charitable fundraising after setting up Calum's Cabin, which provides holiday homes for children facing cancer.
King Charles III's birthday falls on November 14, with the official celebrations held in mid-June annually with a Trooping the Colour ceremony or the Sovereign's Birthday Parade.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
41 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Indian diaspora in Cyprus welcomes PM Modi's visit; hails promotion of Yoga, Ayurveda
Nicosia [Cyprus], June 15 (ANI): As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his official visit to Cyprus, the Indian community in the island nation is expressing excitement and pride, particularly over his global efforts to promote India's cultural heritage -- Yoga and Ayurveda. Speaking to ANI, Athena Chatzikyriou, founder of JAPA Ayurveda and Yoga, said that PM Modi's visit has generated a wave of enthusiasm among wellness practitioners in Cyprus and across Europe. 'JAPA is a Sanskrit word meaning 'chant' -- it reflects our commitment to combining Yoga and Ayurveda in daily life. Europe needs this ancient wisdom now more than ever. We are delighted that India's heritage is becoming more accessible in Cyprus and across Europe,' she said. Praising the Prime Minister's global outreach, she added, 'When you say Yoga, you think of Modi Ji. He has brought Yoga to the world stage and that gives all of us immense motivation. We are truly happy and grateful for his visit. Please keep promoting Ayurveda and Yoga.' Similarly, Ashish Bhatt, an Ayurvedic therapist based in Cyprus, also welcomed the visit. It's a moment of great happiness for us. PM Modi's presence will certainly bring more awareness to Ayurveda and Indian wellness traditions here in Cyprus, he noted. With International Yoga Day around the corner, the Indian diaspora and wellness advocates in Cyprus see the Prime Minister's visit as a moment of pride -- and a key step in strengthening cultural connections between India and the Mediterranean nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a three-nation tour from June 15 to 19, covering Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia, in a major diplomatic outreach spanning the Mediterranean, North America, and Eastern Europe. At the invitation of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, PM Modi will pay an official visit to the country on June 15-16. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus since 2002, and only the third since India's independence. (ANI)
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Bee sting-induced heart attack—what is the rare reaction that claimed industrialist Sunjay Kapur's life
As per available information, Kapur collapsed in the middle of the polo match soon after he reportedly swallowed a bee and had a sudden heart attack. Kapur, chairman and owner of auto part giant Sona Comstar was also known for his high-profile marriage to Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor. New Delhi: Indian industrialist and billionaire Sunjay Kapur, 53, died of a fatal heart attack in London following a freak accident—he swallowed a bee during a polo match on 12 June. The bizarre turn of events that led to the businessman's death before he could receive medical care left many puzzled, especially since just hours before, Kapur had posted on social media about life's unpredictability, reflecting on the tragic crash of a London-bound Air India flight near Ahmedabad. Cardiologists maintain that though rare, a bee sting in the mouth can trigger a storm of acute severe allergic reactions that can be lethal. There have been scientifically documented cases of heart attacks following bee stings in the mouth, which is particularly life-threatening, Dr Ashish Agarwal, Director of Cardiology with Aakash Healthcare told ThePrint. The is believed to involve an allergic reaction triggered by the sting, which leads to the release of certain chemicals in the body. 'As a result, vasospasm or narrowing of the arteries of the heart is induced and it leads to a heart attack through a series of dangerous but quick chemical reactions,' said Agarwal. Also read: Big pharma pivoting to more lucrative obesity segment, Indian drugmakers eye insulin market Cascade of severe chemical storm According to specialists, the mechanism behind this rare occurrence is believed to involve the most severe allergic reaction—called anaphylaxis—triggered by the sting and other allergies, which leads to the release of certain chemicals in the body. These chemicals include inflammatory mediators such as histamines and leukotrienes. Inflammatory mediators, while crucial for the body's defence, can become life threatening when their release is excessive or dysregulated due to overwhelmed systemic inflammation. According to Dr Prashant Pawar, cardiologist with Fortis Hiranandani Hospital in Mumbai, honeybees produce poison in their secretory glands, and envenomation (exposure to a poison or toxin resulting from a bite or sting from an animal) occurs during the sting or bee bite. These bees, when they bite, can cause allergic reactions such as breathlessness, a drop or rise in blood pressure, and heart rate in some people. 'Additionally, it can also cause angioedema, which is swelling of the face and respiratory tract, because of which the patient can't breathe, and it can also cause anaphylactic shock,' Pawar explained. Some other experts pointed out that a bee sting in the mouth is not only life-threatening due to airway compromise, but can also potentially induce a rare but lethal form of myocardial infarction (MI) called Kounis Syndrome or allergic MI. In common parlance, MI is known as a heart attack. This syndrome, explained Dr Dibya Ranjan Behera, interventional cardiologist with Manipal Hospital in Bhubaneswar, is a rare combination of anaphylaxis reaction and acute coronary syndrome. Bee venom entering the body, particularly through mucus membranes with a generous blood supply such as mouth, can provoke an extreme immune response. This, said the cardiologist, triggers mast cells (a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in immunity) to release inflammatory mediators, including histamines and leukotrienes, that can lead to coronary artery spasms or even plaque ruptures. A rupture exposes thrombogenic components such as cholesterol and other substances to the bloodstream, triggering a clotting cascade. In such conditions, there is a sudden drop in blood pressure, chest tightness, a severe inability to breathe, and the heart goes into a standstill, specialists say. This allergic tidal wave can lead to diminished blood flow to the heart or full-blown heart attack, even in people who have no previous underlying heart disease. This is categorised as Type I or Type II Kounis Syndrome in clinical practice, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Need for prompt emergency care In many cases of anaphylaxis, prompt identification and administration of a drug called adrenaline or epinephrine is urgently required, pointed out Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, head of critical care with SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai. Sometimes combined treatment of the allergic and cardiac aspect is mandatory to avoid lethal consequences. Anaphylaxis is known to occur due to various other reasons like drug allergies, food allergies like peanut allergies, apart from stings and insect bites. Those with known allergies are therefore often advised to carry epinephrine auto-injector. Experts also caution people to avoid open beverages outside and to don protective gear when gardening or hiking. 'Once anaphylaxis is suspected, it is essential to reach the nearest hospital for emergency care in such cases, as the treatment may require oxygen, medications, and sometimes artificial ventilation,' said Saseedharan. (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: Exercise reduces risk of death from colon cancer, global study spanning 6 countries finds
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Yoga Day 2025: How this ancient practice aids diabetes and heart health
Every year on June 21st, the world pays tribute to yoga, an ancient Indian practice that has not only stood the test of time but also evolved into a cornerstone of modern-day wellness. For medical professionals, June 21 holds significance beyond its cultural roots; it serves as a reminder of how lifestyle interventions like yoga can effectively complement conventional medical the growing burden of diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, yoga is being recognised as a safe, accessible, and effective tool in both prevention and treatment. Far from being limited to stretching or breathing techniques, yoga is a holistic system that integrates the body, mind, and breath—elements that are crucial for addressing chronic lifestyle-related 2025, the International Day of Yoga will embrace the theme 'Yoga for Self and Society.' This theme highlights not only the importance of personal health and mental well-being but also the broader aim of fostering community harmony. Individuals of all ages are encouraged to incorporate yoga into their daily routines for both personal and collective healthcare providers recognise that yoga serves as a valuable complement to patient care, particularly in managing common health issues encountered in modern medical practice. For expert insights, we turn to Dr. Koulsoum Houssein, a Consultant in General Medicine at Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai, who holds an MBBS, an MD in General Medicine, and a Diploma in Tropical Medicine from Paris, France. Yoga Day 2025: How this ancient practice aids diabetes and heart health YOGA AND MANAGING DIABETES:advertisementType 2 diabetes is primarily a lifestyle disorder that responds well to regular physical activity. Practicing yoga can improve insulin sensitivity, helping to lower blood sugar levels and reduce cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone. Specific asanas, such as Ardha Matsyendrasana (half spinal twist), Dhanurasana (bow pose), and Pavanamuktasana (wind-relieving pose), stimulate the pancreas and enhance digestive yoga helps alleviate stress, which is a hidden contributor to poor blood sugar control. Breathing techniques like Bhastrika pranayama, along with mindfulness-based interventions, help reduce sympathetic nervous system overactivity. This can lead to fewer cravings, decreased fatigue, and more stable blood sugar AND HYPERTENSION: My patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension show excellent improvements if they take yoga up regularly. The slow, deep breathing of pranayama calms the nervous system and vascular resistance. Shavasana (Corpse pose), Sukhasana (Easy pose), and Viparita Karani (Legs-up-the-wall pose) asanas slow down heart rate and allow for complete relaxation. Yoga then helps in better BP control and less dependence on medications (under guidance) and fewer manifestations of stress-related symptoms like palpitations or HEALTH AND YOGA: advertisementMetabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, insulin resistance, high triglycerides, and abdominal fat, is now increasingly common. Yoga, in this regard, offers multifaceted help: processing digestion, regulating appetite, waking the body from boredom, and toning up the muscles. It also assists in balancing hormones, such as cortisol and insulin, which are principal actors in metabolism-user ana. Unlike high-intensity gym workouts, yoga offers a subtle approach, sustainable and adjustable enough for senior citizens or people with some sort of physical limitation. If coupled with a healthy diet and routine medical exams, yoga could be promoted as a core management strategy for metabolic health. Yoga Day 2025: How this ancient practice aids diabetes and heart health This International Day of Yoga 2025, I urge all my patients and peers to consider yoga not just as a workout fad but as a vital ally in preventive and curative healthcare. It goes well with medical treatments, develops mental health, and builds long-term well-being. Be it working with a chronic disease or simply to feel a little toward balanced, yoga is a window for everybody. As doctors, we're learning that the future of medicine isn't just going to be about pills but about the intelligent blend of ancient wisdom and modern science. Yoga is the perfect example.
