Triumph and tragedy are reflected in this year's New Year honours, figuring 915 recipients.
It is also notable for the fact that after several years the lowest number of Indian-origin persons, just 12, figure in the list. The most well known amongst the 12 is Sanjeev Bhaskar, who has got OBE for services to entertainment. A writer and actor, he is famous for main roles in BBC's highly successful Goodness Gracious Me and Kumars at Number 42 sitcoms.
Highest honour amongst Indian-origin awardees has been given to Sumantra Chakrabarti who is Permanent Secretary in Department of International Development.
The heroes of the London bombings have been honoured. There are MBEs for Tube and emergency service workers whose valour and "immense strength of spirit and courage" immediately after the July 7 suicide bombings prevented the death toll exceeding 56.
The members of the England team that won back the Ashes from Australians after 18 years have got MBE while the captain Michael Vaughan has been awarded OBE. Lord Coe, the chairman of London 2012, who got Olympics games for the city, has been knighted along with Keith Mills, the chief executive of the bid.
The singer Tom Jones who belted out hits like Delilah and It's Not Unusual has also been knighted. The veteran entertainer Bruce Forsyth, 77, is made CBE, although many have said he should have been knighted too. There are OBEs for the temperamental TV chef Gordon Ramsay and the famous tailor Ozwald Boateng. The actor Robbie Coltrane of Cracker and Harry Potter fame is among show business personalities who have been made CBE.
Jonathan Ive, the man behind the designs of iPod and iMac computer is also made a CBE. A Downing Street spokesman said that last year had seen a number of momentous events, particularly in London, where July brought both the best and worst of times.
{{/usCountry}}Jonathan Ive, the man behind the designs of iPod and iMac computer is also made a CBE. A Downing Street spokesman said that last year had seen a number of momentous events, particularly in London, where July brought both the best and worst of times.
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