Sikh Medical Professional Knighted for Services to Medicine

Dr Amritpal Singh Hungin, a distinguished British Sikh medical professional with over three decades of experience in general practice, has been honored with a Knighthood in the 2024 New Year Honours list for his remarkable contributions to medicine.

In a prestigious recognition of his contributions to medicine, Dr. Amritpal Singh Hungin, a British Sikh senior medical professional with over three decades of experience in general practice, has been knighted by King Charles III in the 2024 New Year Honours list. The list, released in London on Friday night, includes nearly 30 Indian-origin healthcare professionals, philanthropists, and community activists who have selflessly served society.

Recognition for Exceptional Achievements

Dr. Hungin, also known as Professor Pali Hungin, is an Emeritus Professor of General Practice at Newcastle University and the founding Dean of Medicine at Durham University. He previously served as the president of the British Medical Association (BMA). The New Year's Honours List recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals across the country who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to selflessness and compassion, according to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Honorees from Various Fields

The list includes several other distinguished individuals of Indian origin who have made significant contributions in various fields. Dr. Chandra Mohan Kanneganti, a GP from Staffordshire, has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to General Practice. Dr. Mala Rao, a Senior Clinical Fellow at Imperial College London, has also received a CBE for her contributions to public health, the National Health Service (NHS), and equality and diversity.

Bidesh Sarkar, the Chief Financial Officer at the Department for Business and Trade, has been honored with a CBE for his public service. The list also recognizes Baldev Parkash Bhardwaj for his services to the community in Oldbury, West Midlands, and Dr. Dipankar Datta for his charitable work as the Chair of the South Asia Voluntary Enterprise.

Celebrating Selflessness and Compassion

UK Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden expressed his warmest congratulations to all the honorees, highlighting their selfless and compassionate contributions. He emphasized the importance of recognizing these individuals and shedding light on their heroic deeds and achievements. The historic honours system serves to celebrate these remarkable people and inspire others to make a positive impact on society.

Additional Notable Recipients

Among the British Indians honored with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) are Munir Patel, CEO of XRAIL Group, for his services to rail exports, and Dr. Shriti Pattani, President of the Society of Occupational Medicine, for her contributions to occupational health. Rajwinder Singh, Principal Project Sponsor of the Prison Infrastructure Team at the UK's Ministry of Justice, has also been recognized for his public service.

Vinaichandra Guduguntla Venkatesham, CEO of Arsenal Football Club, has been awarded an OBE for his services to sport. The list further includes several Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) recipients, including Dr. Sanjay Bhandari, Chair of anti-racism charity Kick It Out, for his services to sport, and Jayshree Rajkotia, Trustee and Vice Chair of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan UK, for her contributions to Indian culture.

Healthcare and Charity Work Recognized

Healthcare and charity work are prominent themes among the Indian-origin Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM). Chandra Shekhar Biyani has been recognized for his services to medical education, while Harbaksh Singh Grewal has been honored for his charitable contributions.

Other High Honours

In addition to the recognition of Indian-origin individuals, the 2024 New Year Honours list includes notable figures from other fields. Hollywood filmmaker Ridley Scott has been made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for his services to the UK film industry. Welsh singer Shirley Bassey, previously made a Dame by the late Queen Elizabeth II, has become the 64th living member of the Order of the Companion of Honour for her contributions to music.

Diversity and Inclusion in Honours

The Cabinet Office highlighted the commitment to ensuring that honours are awarded to individuals across the entire UK, capturing and celebrating the fantastic contributions of people throughout the country. Of the total recipients, 66% have undertaken outstanding work in their communities, either voluntarily or in a paid capacity, and 48% are women.