An Indian-origin cancer research expert has received a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his “influential” work on prevention and treatment of cancer in the annual New Year’s Honours list published in London.
About Harpal Singh Kumar
- Harpal Singh Kumar was born in India in 1965.
- He had founded Nexan Group, a venture capital-backed medical devices company in 1997.
- He has won the Mobil Prize, Metal Box Prize, and Hughes Prize.He is the chairman of the Board at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) and also chairman of the Cancer Outcomes Strategy Advisory Group (COSAG) in England.
- Later he had joined Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRTL) as chief executive in 2002 and was promoted as COO of Cancer Research UK in 2004.
Winners of Indian Origin
- Samir Desai, founder-CEO of Funding Circle, receives a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).
- Kala Patel, director of Kiddycare Ltd Nurseries, receievs the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).
- A British Empire Medal has been awarded to Aatin Ashok Anadkat, managing director of Hotel Maiyango in Leicester.
- Rekha Mehr, founder of Indian sweets inspired bakery Pistachio Rose, receievs the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).
- The other Indian-origins in the list include Gurmeet Kalsi, Jayshree Mehta, Yasmin Mohammed Farooq Nathani, Karnail Singh Pannu, Mukesh Sharma, Suresh Chandra Vashishtha are also among the winners list.
About Knighthood
- It is one of the highest honours bestowed upon an individual in the UK and it doesn’t carry any military obligations to the sovereign.
- The knighthoods are conferred by the Queen or a member of the Royal Family acting on her behalf in Britain. Queen usually presents insignia at the ceremony.