London: Over 30 Indian-origin professionals, including community leaders, campaigners, academics, and medics, have been celebrated in King Charles' 2025 New Year Honours List, released on Friday night. The annual recognition highlights their extraordinary contributions across various sectors, from politics to healthcare, retail, and the arts.
Among the distinguished honorees is Ranil Malcolm Jayawardena, a Conservative Member of Parliament of Sri Lankan and Indian heritage, who was awarded a Knighthood for his political and public service. He shares the honor with Gareth Southgate, the former England men's football team manager, recognized for his services to the sport.
A Tribute to Community Role Models
This year’s list includes over 1,200 recipients across diverse fields, celebrating those who have made a significant impact on their communities. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed gratitude for these unsung heroes, stating, “They represent the very best of the UK and the core value of service at the heart of this government.”
Indian-Origin Honorees Leading the Way
Several Indian-origin professionals have been recognized with prestigious titles:
Commander of Order of British Empire:-
SatwantKaur Deol for best contributions to further education. Charles Pritam Singh Dhanowa OBE for advancing competition law. Professor Sneh Khemka for his pioneering work in healthcare and innovation. Leena Nair, Chief Executive Officer of Chanel, for services to the retail and consumer sector. Mayank Prakash, President of the British Computing Society, for promoting technology. Purnima Murthy Tanuku OBE, head of the National Day Nurseries Association, for her efforts in early education.Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE):
Professor Sanjay Arya, for his contributions to minority ethnic healthcare. Nandini Das, for advancing interdisciplinary research in humanities. Tarsem Singh Dhaliwal, CEO of Iceland Foods, for boosting the Welsh economy and charitable causes. Jasmine Dotiwala, for promoting diversity and inclusion in broadcasting and music. Others include Monica Kohli, Soumya Majumdar, and mental health advocate Gian Singh Power.
Recognition for Grassroots Contributions
The list also includes Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) from the Indian diaspora. Notable mentions:
MBEs: Tech expert Dalim Kumar Basu, nursing leader Marimouttou Coumarassamy, and paediatrician Professor Ajay Jaikishore Vora. BEMs: Community workers Sanjib Bhattacharjee and Jagrupe Binnig, as well as musician Balbir Singh Khanpur Bhujhangy, for preserving Punjabi culture.Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
The UK government emphasized its commitment to diversity, noting that 54% of the recipients have excelled in community service, and 12% come from ethnic minority backgrounds. Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden urged communities to continue nominating individuals who make exceptional contributions, stating, “Our honours system uniquely recognizes generosity and selflessness.”
Among the honorary highlights, Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, the Nobel laureate, was named a Companion of Honour for his literary achievements. Actor and mental health advocate Stephen Fry also received a Knighthood for his outstanding contributions.
Recognizing Excellence Across the UK
The New Year Honours List serves as a powerful reminder of the impact individuals can make in their communities and beyond.