Asians on Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2014

The Queen’s birthday honours for 2014 have seen an incredible 1,149 individuals recognised for their services to the country and their communities.

Taking into account those from all backgrounds and walks of life, this year has seen an encouraging number of British Asians and South Asians who have ‘committed themselves to serving and helping Britain’.

Such accolades are awarded to those individuals who have ‘made life better for other people or be outstanding at what they do’. They can range from all fields such as music, the arts, social care, sport, academia, human rights and medicine.

Legendary Indian musician, Talvin Singh was awarded an OBE for his services to music (see our exclusive Gupshup with the artist here).

Talvin has become a prime example of taking his cultural heritage and knowledge of music and fusing it with his British influences, particularly drum and bass. He is well known for pioneering Asian underground music in the UK.

Belinda Parmar was also awarded an OBE for services to ‘Women in Technology’. Her social enterprise, Little Miss Geeks, supports women from all backgrounds to envision change through technology. Tweeting out her thanks to her followers, Parmar said:

“Thank you so much for all your OBE congratulations. This award is for all of you who tirelessly work to get more women in tech.”

Muhammad Ayub, founder of Oriental Star Agencies was awarded a MBE for pioneering the popularity and circulation of Asian music within the UK.

He is most famous for bringing the likes of legendary singers and musicians like Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and giving them a platform to perform in the UK. See our exclusive Gupshup with Ayub here.

Here are some of the British Asians that have been honoured in the Queen’s birthday list 2014:

CBE

• Ammar Yusuf Mirza, Managing director AmmarM and Co-Founder, Asian Business Connexions. For services to Business and the community in the North East.
• Salim Mitha, Deputy director Policy Specialist, London, H.M Revenue and Customs. For services to Tax Policy Work.
• Mrs Nosheena Mobarik, OBE, Chair, CBI Scotland. For services to Business and public service in Scotland.

OBE

• Talvinder Singh Matharoo, Tabla Player Producer and Composer. For services to Music.
• Ms Sharmila Nebhrajani, Chief executive Association of Medical Research Charities. For services to Medical Research.
• Mrs Kavita Oberoi, Founder and managing director, Oberoi Consulting Ltd. For services to Entrepreneurship and Start Up Businesses.
• Anupam Ojha, Director National Space Academy. For services to Science Education.
• Ms Belinda Parmar, Chief executive Officer Lady Geek. For services to Women in Technology.
• Professor Aziz Sheikh, Professor of Primary Care Research and Development University of Edinburgh. For services to Medicine.
• Mrs Trishna Devi Pall Singh, Director, Sikh Sanjog. For services to the community in Edinburgh, particularly to the Sikh community.
• Ms Shahien Taj, MBE, Executive director Henna Foundation. For services to Victims of Honour-Based Violence and Forced Marriage.
• Mrs Nisha Tandon, Chief executive, ArtsEkta. For services to Minority Ethnic communities in Northern Ireland.

MBE

• Muhammad Ayyub, For services to Asian Music in the UK. (Birmingham, West Midlands)
• Anjan Kumar Banerjee, Deputy managing director Pope Woodhead Associates, and Honorary consultant Surgeon, Bedford Hospital, NHS Trust. For services to Patient Safety. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
• Mrs Sarah Khan Bashir, For services to the community in Bradford, West Yorkshire. (Bradford, West Yorkshire)
• Amrik Singh Bhabra, Chief executive ADECS and president, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. For services to Business and the community. (Coventry, West Midlands)
• Dr Kumarendra Das, Associate Specialist in Trauma and Orthopaedics Friarage Hospital, North Yorkshire. For services to Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery. (Northallerton, North Yorkshire)
• Dr Nirmal Chandra Dhar, For services to Community Cohesion in the West of Scotland. (Renfrewshire)
• Mrs Jaya Chakrabarti Gallemore, Founder and chief executive Officer, Nameless. For services to the Creative and Digital Industries and to the community in Bristol. (Bristol)
• Majid Hussain, Executive director Accrol Papers. For services to Business and the community in the North West of England. (Accrington, Lancashire)
• Javid Ibrahim Isap, Assistant Officer Benefits and Credits, Security and Information Management Team, Preston, HM Revenue and Customs. For public and voluntary service. (Preston, Lancashire)
• Dr Mohammed Jiva, General Practitioner Rochdale. For services to General Practice. (Bacup, Lancashire)
• Amrit Paul Kaushal, Vice-president Association of Indian Organisations. For services to Community Cohesion in the West of Scotland. (Giffnock, Glasgow)
• Rajen Odedra, Prison Officer HMPrison Belmarsh. For services to HM Prison Service and the community in Essex. (London)
• Dr Jitendra Chottabhai Patel, Cardiologist Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. For services to Healthcare. (Banchory, Aberdeenshire)
• Ms Aisha Rashida Rehman, Operational Team Leader National Security Unit, Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism, Home Office. For services to Public Protection. (London)
• Ms Mary Anita Savory, JP, For public and voluntary service to the communities in Weardale and Wolsingham County Durham.
• Hajeet Seeboruth, Fingerprint Services manager Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Fingerprint Examination. (London)
• Milan Shah, Director Varani Food Products Ltd and Chair, Board of Governors, University of Northampton. For services to Business and the community in the East Midlands. (London)
• Dilawer Singh, For voluntary service to Ethnic Minorities Sport and the community in Glasgow. (Glasgow)

BEM

• Gurcharan Singh Chatwal, For services to the community in the London Borough of Hounslow. (London)
• Anwar Khattak, Founder Birmingham Youth Sport Academy. For voluntary service to Community Sport. (Birmingham, West Midlands)
• Yasvender Singh Rehill, Police Constable West Yorkshire Police. For services to Policing and Community Engagement in Bradford. (Bradford, West Yorkshire)
• Hari Dutt Seth, For services to the Indian community through the Indian Senior Citizens’ Centre Manchester. (Northenden, Greater Manchester)
• Abu Zafar, Founder and Owner Orient Press. For services to Business and to the Asian community in Bradford. (Bradford, West Yorkshire)
• Mrs Habiban Nisa Zaman, For services to Women in North Kirklees, West Yorkshire. (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire)

Diplomatic

• Professor Tejinder Singh Virdee, Professor of Physics Imperial College, London. For services to science.
• Wasim Mir, Head Projects Task Force, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. For services to new and innovative ways of working and diversity in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The special honours awarded include, ‘Commander of the Order of the British Empire’ (CBE); ‘Officer of the Order of the British Empire’ (OBE); ‘Member of the Order of the British Empire’ (MBE); ‘British Empire Medal’ (BEM) and diplomatic awards. They are given to those who have ‘made achievements in public life’ and their work is recognised by others.

The awards are decided by an honours committee  before being given to the Prime Minister and the Queen. With such a vast selection of British Asians now being recognised for their efforts, it is clear that Asians are offering a lot to their local communities. Congratulations to all the honoraries!