UK SPECIAL OBE © KHIZAR HUMAYUN ANSARI, director, Centre of Ethnic Minority Studies, Royal Holloway College: higher education © KARNA DEV BARDHAN: gastroenterology © REBA BHADURI: social work © PRASANTA RANJAN BHOWMICK, GP: healthcare © HECTOR BRYSON CHAWLA, formerly consultant ophthalmic surgeon: medicine © ABDUL RASHID GATRAD: service to paediatrics, ethnic minority © MANMOHAN SINGH GUJRAL: housing © NASSER HUSSAIN: cricket © AMRIK SINGH SAHOTA: economy and Asian community MBE © SHAMA MAHMOOD AHMAD: community in Newham © CHAUDHURY MOHAMMED © ANWAR: community relations © SITAL RAJA-ARJAN: tourism in Bolton © FREDA HUSSAIN: community in Leicester © AVTAR SINGH KALHA: community in Newham © PARVEEN MIRZA: community in Nottingham © JYOTINDRA KESHWAL PANDYA: healthcare © INDRAVADAN PURSHOTAMDAS PATEL: community in Northwest London © RAMINDER SINGH: community relations in Bradford DIPLOMATIC & OVERSEAS OBE © SHANKER IYER: British commercial interests in Singapore QUEEN'S POLICE MEDAL © RAMESH KUMAR, police commissioner: West Midlands Police

The only corner that a South Asian knows, goes a common London joke, is the corner shop. That may have reflected the preferred pursuit of the average South Asian a decade ago. But not any more. Now the community is in the mainstream and there is no better witness to that than the people who have been appointed as OBE and MBE. It is refreshing that recognition of their immense contribution to the British society comes at a time when the minorities have been asked to prove their loyalty to the country.

When Yorkshire-born Krishna Bhanji told his parents he wanted to join the acting profession, his father, a doctor, suggested he change his name to Ben Kingsley. It paid to heed his advice. The 58-year-old Kingsley became internationally acclaimed largely for his awardwinning portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in Lord Richard Attenborough's 1983 film Gandhi. He was recently named the Best European Actor for his role in Sexy Beast. The accolades continue to pour in. Kingsley has been awarded an OBE for his services to the industry in the 2002 New Year Honour's List.

Another Indian-born appointed as an OBE is the captain of England's cricket team, Nasser Hussain. The 33-year-old, born in Chennai but raised in the UK, has been touted as the best thing that happened to English cricket in many years. Media and critics were sceptical about this so-called hot-tempered man when he was made the cricket captain. But he made a mockery of those sceptics. Hussain has proved his captaincy and managerial skills repeatedly. On winning the OBE, he enthuses, "This is great news. I am very proud to have been honoured by my country in this way."

BREAKING STEREOTYPES: Cricket captain Nasser Hussain (left) and actor Ben Kingsley

It's not just high-profile people in the limelight who have been appointed with the Queen's honours, but also those leading ordinary lives and contributing to their community. Manjul Karsandas Vasant has been appointed an MBE for services to the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners, while Commissioner Ramesh Kumar has been appointed with the Queen's police medal.

Manmohan Singh Gujral, 41, who has devoted 20 years of service to the housing sector, is delighted with his OBE. He said that the recognition also belonged "to my family and all the colleagues who have helped and supported my career. To all of you I would like to say a very big 'thank you'."

Karna Dev Bardhan has been appointed an OBE for his work in the field of gastroenterology and for his service to the medical field. He has devoted 30 years of his life to research work on upper digestive tract focusing on peptic ulcer and reflex diseases. On being honoured, the doctor has this to say: "We have been wonderfully treated. It's a tribute to many patients who have been able to serve my team members, my hospital and to my wife who always supported me."

British Asian youth who have shied away from entering the police force can now draw inspiration from the recognition PC Ramesh Kumar has received by being awarded the Queen's police meddal. Acting Sergeant Kumar, I charge of recruitment for the local Special Constabulary, says, "When I found out about the award I was absolutely delighted with sheer shock and pleasure. It took a while to sink in."

Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Krishna Bhanji, Freddie Mercury ... sons of India who have contributed to British society will inspire a million others, as will the doctors, community workers and policemen who serve British society with relentless zeal.

-with Jyoti Chanrai