Indian-origin cancer expert Harpal Singh Kumar knighted

An Indian-origin cancer research expert Harpal Singh Kumar was honoured with a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his influential work on prevention and treatment of cancer.
Mr. Singh’s name has appeared in the 2015 New Year’s Honours list that includes several other Indian-origin individuals.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• He has won the Mobil Prize, Metal Box Prize, and Hughes Prize.

Other Indian-orgin persons are

• Samir Desai: He was honoured with Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his work in the field of financial inclusion. He is founder-CEO of Funding Circle.
• Raminder Singh Ranger: He was honoured with CBE for services to business and community cohesion. He is chairman of Sun Mark Ltd.
• Aatin Ashok Anadkat: He was honoured with British Empire Medal for services to entrepreneurship. He is managing director of Hotel Maiyango in Leicester.
• Kala Patel: She was honoured with Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to childcare business. She is MD of Kiddycare Ltd Nurseries.
• Daljit Lally: He was honoured with OBE for services to integrated care. He is deputy chief executive of Northumberland Country Council.
• Rekha Mehr: She was honoured with Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to entrepreneurship and enterprise.
• Ayesha Hazarika: She was honoured with MBE for political service. She is chief of staff to the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

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.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2016