London, June 14: Well-known Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor and educationist Sushantha Kumar Bhattacharyya, director, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Warwick University are among the 13 prominent NRIs getting a place in the Queen's birthday honours this year. Kapoor is made the Commander of British Empire (CBE) for his services to the arts while Prof. Bhattacharyya is made Knights Bachelor, a higher honour, for his contribution to services to higher education and industry.
People from the worlds of television, film and sport dominate today's honours list which for the first time boasts a majority of recipients nominated by members of the public.
James Bond actor Roger Moore receives a Knighthood for his work as a Unicef ambassador while England soccer captain, fashion icon and global marketing phenomenon David Beckham gets an OBE. Among the NRIs who find a place in the honours list are: Jagtar Singh, deputy chief fire officer for services to equal opportunities in the fire service, Sarabjeet Singh Soar, services to small business in the West Midlands, Jhalman Singh Uppal, chairman, Punjabi Culture Society and district councillor for community relations in Telford and Wrekin (all Order of British Empire).
Sehdev Parshad Bismal is honoured for services to community relations in Wolverhampton, Gopal Chandra, services to community relations in Birmingham, Bankim Chand Gossai, services to community relations in South London, Balraj Krishan Marwaha, services to the Asian community in Scotland, Uttambhai Dahya Mistry, services to the community in Bolton (all Members of the British Empire). The others on the list are Matta Venkataramanaiah Shathrughna Setty, general practitioner for services to primary health care, Robina Shahnaz Shah, services to Asian children with learning disabilities and Simon Singh, services to the promotion of science technology, engineering and mathematics in schools and to science communication. Bureau Report