Over 30 professionals of Indian heritage recognised for their exceptional contributions to UK society
Public service champions, tech innovators, healthcare leaders, and community voices of Indian origin have been named in King Charles III’s 2025 Birthday Honours List, unveiled ahead of the monarch’s official birthday celebrations marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony, reported ndtv.com.
Honours for Indians in healthcare, technology, charity, education and arts in landmark UK recognition.
Among the highest distinctions, Prem Babu Goyal of the City of London Corporation, Tanuja Randery of Amazon Web Services, and Professor Jagtar Singh of the NHS have been awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for outstanding public service, technology, and healthcare contributions.
The annual list, released by the UK Cabinet Office, also includes a Knighthood for former football legend David Beckham and actor Gary Oldman, alongside several Indian-origin leaders who have made lasting societal impact.
Indian diaspora makes strong mark in UK honours list across fields and generations.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) include Sunita Arora of the Arora Charitable Foundation for philanthropy, Nurse Avinderjit Bhatia for her work in the NHS, and Rita Hirani for advocating for women, LGBTQ rights, and domestic abuse victims. Pooja Kanda, who lost her son to knife crime, was recognised for her activism in crime prevention, while Dr Kulin Kantilal Patel was honoured for his contributions to animal health and international trade.
Among OBE Awardees:
Vaibhav Puri for enhancing rail safety, Professor Pankaj Sharma for stroke research in South Asians, Dr Parag Singhal for medical education, Ranjit Singh for advancing further education, and Captain Jagjit Singh Sohal for commemorating Commonwealth Sikh soldiers
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) include Indian classical musician Surdarshan Singh Chana, dance artiste Sonia Sabri, and Dr Richa Sinha for tackling Hinduphobia and her work with the Scottish Hindu Foundation.
Professor Raman Kant Prinja from University College London was recognised for services to academia and education.
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) include Adarsh Khullar of the Scottish Asian Ekta Group, community volunteers Santosh Sharma, Ram Prakash Gupta, and Amish Dipakkumar Patel.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “From community champions to cultural icons, each recipient reflects the very best of Britain.”
Honours list spotlights public service, inclusion, and the growing role of Indian diaspora in Britain.
This year’s list comprises over a thousand recipients, celebrating those who’ve gone above and beyond in public service. Notably, 106-year-old William Irwin was the oldest recipient, while a single family—Duncan, Caroline, and Jenna Speirs—received BEMs for creating cancer charity Calum’s Cabin.
King Charles III’s actual birthday is on November 14, but his official birthday is celebrated each June with the Sovereign’s Birthday Parade.
