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Dozen Indians in British queen's new year honours list

At least a dozen people of Indian origin and Calcutta-born Mark Tully, former BBC correspondent in India, figure in the Queen's New Year honours list for 2002.

Mark Tully, who attended boarding school in Darjeeling before going to Cambridge, has been awarded a knighthood in the overseas list.

Tully joined BBC in 1964 and was soon posted to India, from where he has reported ever since. He clashed with the BBC's senior management in the 1990s, claiming that the regime of the then director-general John Birt, was running on 'fear and sycophancy'.

Shortly afterwards, he resigned to work as a freelancer.

Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley, best known for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi, also becomes a knight, while Chennai-born England cricket captain Nasser Hussain receives an OBE (officer of the order of the British empire).

Prominent among others of Indian origin who find a place of honour are: Manmohan Singh Gujral, chief executive, Presentation Housing Association for services to housing; Heather Evelyn Joshi, professor of economic demography, Institute of Education for services to women's issues; Amrik Singh Sahota, services to economy and Asian community in the West Midlands; and Kawal Jeet Kaur Singh, head teacher, Gladstone Park primary school, Brent, London, for services to education.

PTI

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