Over 30 Indian-origin professionals, including community leaders, academics, medics and campaigners, have been celebrated in King Charles’ 2025 New Year Honours List, released in London on Friday night. This annual list recognises exceptional contributions across various fields, from public service to healthcare and sports.

Among the honorees, Conservative MP Ranil Malcolm Jayawardena, of Sri Lankan and Indian heritage, received a Knighthood for political and public service. He shares this honor with Gareth Southgate, the recently resigned England men’s football team manager, who was recognised for his services to the sport.

The comprehensive list, which features over 1,200 recipients, highlights role models in sport, healthcare, academia and voluntary service. Prime Minister Keir Starmer commended the awardees and said, “Every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities. They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does.”

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Among the Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBEs) are Satwant Kaur Deol, honored for her services to further education; Charles Pritam Singh Dhanowa OBE, for his contributions to competition law; and Professor Sneh Khemka, celebrated for his work in healthcare, science, innovation, and technology.

Other Indian-origin recipients of CBEs include Leena Nair, Global CEO of Chanel, for her significant contributions to the retail and consumer sectors; Mayank Prakash, President of the British Computing Society, for advancing technology professionals; and Purnima Murthy Tanuku OBE, CEO of the National Day Nurseries Association, for her dedication to early years education.

Notable Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBEs) include cardiologist Professor Sanjay Arya, recognized for his services to healthcare and support for black and minority ethnic doctors in north-west England. Professor Nandini Das, a specialist in Early Modern Literature and Culture at the University of Oxford, was honored for her interdisciplinary research and public engagement. Tarsem Singh Dhaliwal, CEO of Iceland Foods, was commended for his contributions to the Welsh economy, retail, and charitable work, while Jasmine Dotiwala was acknowledged for her impact on broadcasting, music, and championing equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Others making their names to OBEs include Monica Kohli, President of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association UK and Chair of the Indian Maritime Association UK, for services to promoting diversity in the maritime industry; Soumya Majumdar from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for services to law and order; Seema Misra for her campaign in favour of scandal-hit subpostmasters, Prime Minister’s diary manager Ushma Manhar Patel MBE, mental health campaigner Gian Singh Power and Sravya Rao from the Department for Business and Trade for public service.

Philanthropist Mandeep Kaur Sanghera, UK Ministry of Defence professional Savraj Singh Sidhu, and fashion industry professional Smruti Sriram also receive OBEs for their public service contributions.

The 2025 list of Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs) and Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEMs) also includes a cross-section of British Indians including MBEs for tech expert Dalim Kumar Basu, nursing chief Marimouttou Coumarassamy, rheumatologist Professor Bhaskar Dasgupta and paediatric haematologist Professor Ajay Jaikishore Vora.

The BEM recipients include community workers Sanjib Bhattacharjee and Jagrupe Binnig, postal worker Hemandra Hindocha and charity worker Jaswinder Kumar.

Musician Balbir Singh Khanpur Bhujhangy also receives a BEM for services to Bhangra music and Punjabi culture in the West Midlands region of England.

Companion of Honour, of which there are only 65 recipients at any time, goes to author and screenwriter Sir Kazuo Ishiguro – the Japanese-British Nobel Prize winner for services to literature.

Meanwhile, well-known English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer Stephen Fry receives a Knighthood for his work on mental health awareness.

The UK government said it is committed to ensuring that honours are awarded to outstanding people from across the whole of the UK and the system reflects the best of society.

Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden said: “This year’s New Year Honours List celebrates the unsung heroes who contribute selflessly to their communities across the UK. I send them all my congratulations for their achievements.

“Our honours system uniquely recognises the generous contributions of individuals across our nation. If you know someone in your community who has done something extraordinary, nominate them for an honour so the nation can recognise their achievements.” According to the Cabinet Office, in this edition of New Year Honours 54 per cent of the recipients have undertaken outstanding work in their communities, either in a voluntary or paid capacity, and 12 per cent of the successful candidates belong to an ethnic minority background.

(With inputs from PTI)