New Year Honours 2024: Notable Persons Receiving New Year Honours 2024
by Aishwarya R | Updated Dec 30, 2023
New Year Honours 2024
The 2024 New Year Honours, a tradition in some of the 15 Commonwealth realms, represent a recognition and celebration of outstanding contributions and achievements by individuals within these countries. These honours are bestowed as part of the New Year celebrations at the beginning of January. The list for the 2024 New Year Honours was officially announced on December 29, 2023.
Recipients of these honours are listed according to their pre-existing titles, and the arrangement is further organized by the country whose ministers advised Charles III on the appointments. The honours are then categorized by type (Knight/Dame Grand Cross, Knight/Dame Commander, etc.) and further divided into divisions such as Civil, Diplomatic, and Military, as applicable.
In a departure from past practices, recipients were informed of their honours several weeks before the official announcement, maintaining a tradition of notifying individuals in advance. However, it is noteworthy that the BBC reported a deviation from previous norms, revealing that it had received self-promotional press releases from some recipients a fortnight before the public release of the honours list.
This shift in practice indicates a changing landscape in the dissemination of information and the approach taken by recipients in publicizing their achievements. The honours themselves reflect a diverse range of contributions to society, spanning various fields such as public service, arts, sciences, and more.
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Notable Persons Receiving New Year Honours 2024
These honours celebrate individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements, selflessness, and compassion in their respective fields. The list, comprising over 1,200 recipients, reflects a commitment to recognizing individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions for their heroic contributions and achievements.
Additionally, the New Year Honours highlighted the dedication of honourees to community service, with 66% having undertaken outstanding work in their communities either voluntarily or in a paid capacity, and 48% being women. The honours system aims to capture and celebrate the remarkable contributions of individuals throughout the UK. Other notable honours for 2024 include Hollywood filmmaker Ridley Scott being made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire and Welsh singer Shirley Bassey becoming the 64th living member of the Order of the Companion of Honour for her services to music.
The recently unveiled New Year Honours list for 2024 features a distinguished lineup of individuals from various fields. Among the notable recipients are:
Paul Hollywood: Renowned Bake Off star, recognized for his contributions in the culinary world.
Emilia Clarke: Acclaimed Game of Thrones actor, honored for her achievements in the entertainment industry.
Pamela Ballantine: Esteemed broadcaster, acknowledged for her significant contributions to broadcasting.
Sajid Javid: Former Cabinet minister, recognized for his dedicated public service.
Steve Wright: Veteran broadcaster and DJ, awarded for his exceptional services to radio.
Alexander McCall Smith: Accomplished author, acknowledged for his outstanding literary contributions.
Tim Martin: Wetherspoon founder and Brexit supporter, recognized for his contributions to business and public discourse.
In the 2024 New Year Honours, a diverse array of individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions and selfless service across various fields. Among the notable recipients is Dr. Amritpal Singh Hungin, a British Sikh senior medical professional with over 30 years of general practice experience, who was knighted by King Charles III for his services to medicine. Dr. Hungin, also known as Professor Pali Hungin, holds the title of Emeritus Professor of General Practice at Newcastle University. He has been an influential figure in the medical field, serving as the founding Dean of Medicine at Durham University and as a former president of the British Medical Association (BMA).
The list of honours includes nearly 30 Indian-origin healthcare professionals, philanthropists, and community activists who have been acknowledged for their significant contributions to society. Some of the notable honourees include:
Dr. Chandra Mohan Kanneganti: Awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to General Practice in Staffordshire.
Dr. Mala Rao: Recognized with a CBE for services to public health, the National Health Service (NHS), and to equality and diversity. Dr. Rao is a Senior Clinical Fellow at Imperial College London.
Bidesh Sarkar: Bestowed with a CBE for public service, serving as the Chief Financial Officer at the Department for Business and Trade.
Baldev Parkash Bhardwaj: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the community in Oldbury, West Midlands.
Dr. Dipankar Datta: Honoured with an OBE for services to charity, serving as the Chair of the South Asia Voluntary Enterprise.
Rajwinder Singh: Recognized with an OBE for public service, holding the position of Principal Project Sponsor of the Prison Infrastructure Team at the UK’s Ministry of Justice.
Vinaichandra Guduguntla Venkatesham: Acknowledged with an OBE for services to sport as the CEO of Arsenal Football Club.
Understanding New Year Honours 2024
The Honours List is released twice a year, on New Year's and the King's official birthday. The awards are based on merit, exceptional achievement, or service and have been a tradition since at least 1348.
Nomination and Assessment Process
Individuals can be nominated for an Honour by government departments or members of the public.
Awards are categorized by subject areas and assessed by committees of independent experts and senior civil servants.
The assessments are then reviewed by a selection committee before being submitted to the King through the Prime Minister.
The King informally approves the list, and letters are sent to each nominee.
Nominees have the option to accept or decline the proposed honour before the list is formally approved.
Eligibility
UK nationals and citizens of the 15 Commonwealth realms are eligible for nomination.
Non-British or Commonwealth citizens may be considered for honorary awards.
Order of the British Empire Honours
One of the most recognized awards is the Order of the British Empire, which includes various classes:
CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire): The highest ranking, awarded for a prominent national or leading regional role.
OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire): Given for a major local role in any activity, including national recognition.
MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire): Awarded for outstanding achievement or service to the community with a long-term impact.
Knighthood or Damehood
The highest ranks are Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander, given for a major contribution at the national level, often considered inspirational and significant over a prolonged period. Recipients are traditionally knighted with a sword by the monarch and entitled to use the titles Sir or Dame before their first name.
The New Year Honours 2024 celebrate 1,227 individuals, ranging from politicians, musicians, and actors to senior diplomats and elite sports stars. The diverse list reflects the UK's commitment to recognizing outstanding contributions and achievements across various sectors.
Importance of New Year Honours 2024
The New Year Honours 2024 hold significant importance for several reasons:
Recognition of Achievement
The honours acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals across diverse fields. This recognition serves to highlight their exceptional efforts and accomplishments, providing inspiration to others.
Diversity of Contributions
The honours list reflects a broad spectrum of contributions, including those in medicine, public service, arts, sports, and more. By recognizing individuals from various sectors, the honours underscore the diverse and impactful ways in which people contribute to society.
Community Service
Many honourees are recognized for their selfless service to communities, whether through healthcare, charity work, or other forms of community engagement. The honours emphasize the importance of giving back and fostering a sense of responsibility to one's community.
Promotion of Positive Role Models
By celebrating individuals who have made significant positive impacts, the honours contribute to the creation of positive role models. This recognition encourages others to aspire to excellence and make meaningful contributions to their respective fields.
National Pride
The honours list often includes individuals who have brought pride to the nation through their achievements. This fosters a sense of national pride and unity, as the accomplishments of honourees are seen as contributing to the overall well-being and reputation of the country.
Cultural and Artistic Contributions
Artists, authors, and entertainers recognized in the honours list contribute to the cultural richness of the nation. Their work is acknowledged not only for its artistic merit but also for its impact on the cultural fabric of society.
Service to Public Health
Given the global challenges, especially the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, honours for individuals in healthcare underscore the importance of those who dedicate their careers to public health and well-being.
Influence on Future Generations
The stories of those honoured can serve as inspirational narratives for future generations. The recognition of diverse achievements and the journey of honourees can motivate individuals to pursue their passions and contribute positively to society.
The New Year Honours 2024 play a vital role in acknowledging, celebrating, and promoting the diverse achievements and contributions of individuals, fostering a sense of pride, inspiration, and community spirit.
New Year Honours 2024 - FAQs
Individuals are nominated for an Honour either by government departments or members of the public. Nominations are categorized by subject areas, assessed by committees of independent experts and senior civil servants, and reviewed by a selection committee before being submitted to the King through the Prime Minister.
The honours list acknowledges contributions across various fields, including but not limited to medicine, public service, arts, sports, and community service. The diversity of contributions reflects the wide range of ways individuals positively impact society.
UK nationals and citizens of the 15 Commonwealth realms are eligible for nomination. Non-British or Commonwealth country citizens can be considered for 'honorary' awards, recognizing their exceptional contributions.
After informal approval by the King, nominees receive letters informing them of the proposed honour. They have the choice to accept or decline the recognition. Once nominees accept, the list is formally approved, and the honours are conferred.
The Order of the British Empire includes various classes such as CBE (Commander), OBE (Officer), and MBE (Member). These distinctions represent different levels of recognition, with CBE being the highest, awarded for a prominent national or leading regional role, and MBE recognizing outstanding achievement or service to the community.