People
Sikh-Britons Adorn Queen's Latest Honours List
NEWS REPORTS
Several Sikh-Britons once again adorn the latest Queen's Honours List, which was announced on Saturday, June 13, 2009. They include:
THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE ("OBE")
Sardarni Gurdev Kaur. For voluntary service to Sikh and Asian Women in the West Midlands (Sutton Coldfield).
Currently the group's Chair, she helped start the Sikh Nari Manch UK charity in 1998 along with five other women from her home in Sutton Coldfield. The Welcome Centre run by the group now attracts 300 clients per week from all faiths.
Gurdev Kaur, who has worked tirelessly with Sikh women, said: "There was nothing for Asian women in North Birmingham before, but now we provide everything from walks to residentials."
Kuljit Singh Bhamra. For services to Bhangra and British-Asian Music.
Kuljit, 50, is an influential Sikh-Briton musician, having won many musical awards and recorded over two thousand songs to date. A self-taught composer, producer and tabla player, he is credited with spearheading the Bhangra movement in this country.
He has also worked on film scores for over fifteen years, including Bhaji on the Beach, Bend it like Beckham, Alexander the Great, The Guru, A Little Princess, Wings of a Dove, The Four Feathers, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Avtar Singh Sandhu. For services to the community in North West Kent.
As well as being a successful local businessman, his commitment to developing community relations covers active involvement locally and nationally in a wide range of voluntary organizations over the past 20 years.
Having heard the news, Avtar Singh said:
"I am extremely proud to have been honoured in this way. Enhancement of community relations is something very close to my heart; it's something my late father, Darshan Singh Sandhu, MBE, was keen on and I'm very privileged to be in a position to be able to continue in his footsteps. I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage more people, particularly the youth of today, to play a more active role in local and national issues. We all need to spare time to help others ... life's not all about me, me, me!"
Avtar Singh lives in Dartford Kent and is married with two children.
Kamwarjit Singh Dhillon, Forensic Operations Manager at the Bedfordshire Police. For services to the Police.
Malkit Kharpal, Grade C2, Ministry of Defence.
Sangeeta Elizabeth Singh. For services to the Organic Gastropub Trade.
June 16, 2009