Kartar Singh Lalvani, founder of pharmaceutical major Vitabiotics in Britain, has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in her Birthday Honours List announced on Saturday.
Dr. Lalvani, whose family fled to Mumbai from Karachi during the Partition, has been chosen for the honour for his services to the pharmaceutical industry and charity in London.
He recently established Indali Lounge , recognised as the ‘healthiest curry house in world.' Channel4 listed Indali Lounge as United Kingdom's No.1 among the top 10 healthy restaurants. “I am happy that the work done by an Indian in the pharmaceutical field in the U.K. has been recognised,” Dr. Lalvani told PTI.
Besides him, 18 other Non-resident Indians figure in the List — 10 OBEs, eight Members of the British Empire (MBEs) and one Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO).
Anil Kumar Bhanot has been honoured for services to the Hindu Community and to Inter-Faith Relations, while Janti Champaneri figures in the list for services to the local government in Birmingham, and Kailash Chand Malhotra for services to healthcare in Cheshire.
World Sikh University vice-chancellor Sukhbir Singh Kapoor has been honoured for services to community relations in Harrow.
Deepak Lakwani, the India director at London stockbroker Astaire and Partners, is also among the awardees.
Launde Primary School Headteacher Inderjit Kaur Sandhu has been honoured for services to education in Leicestershire.
Reading-based Prem Dutt Sharma is included in the list for services to community relations, while Baljit Ubhey has been honoured for services to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Daljit Singh Ahluwalia has been awarded the OBE for voluntary service to community and inter-faith relations in Derbyshire, and Prakash Daswani, founder and CEO of Cultural Co-operation, for services to the arts. Preihdath Joyram, who is involved with the Cruse Bereavement charity organisation that offers free, confidential help to the bereaved in Lancashire, also figures in the list.
Also honoured in the list is Veena Kumari Mohindra, Executive Officer of Jobcentre Plus in Eastleigh, Hampshire. Also hnoured are Mukesh Patel, administrative officer, Revenue and Customs in Leicestershire, and Balvinder Singh Sokhi, for services to the community in Nottingham.
The list, drawn up independently of government, was seen in draft form by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and cleared by successor David Cameron before being approved by the Queen.
