15 Indian-origin men, women in British Queen's New Year's Honours list

London: Fifteen Indian-origin men and women, including prominent educationist Asha Khemka, have been named in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's Honours List for 2014.

India-born educationist Khemka has been named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her service to the deprived areas of the West Midlands as principal of West Nottinghamshire College for the last eight years.

"Under her leadership, it has become one of the most eminent further education colleges in the UK. She has embraced the apprenticeship agenda, leading the college to become the largest 16-18 provider in the UK and finding jobs for 700 young people in the first year," read a special citation accompanying the higher awards in this year's list.

"Her charitable trust, the Inspire and Achieve Foundation, is especially focused on those not in education, employment or training. She is in the process of opening a skills centre in India," it added.

Khemka has also been active in skills development in her country of origin and is the founding chair of the Association of Colleges in India – a group 33 UK colleges that have joined forces to work with Indian partners.

"I believe passionately in the power of Further Education to transform lives. India is a land of opportunity where there is no dearth of talent. But there is a gap between vision and implementation," she said.

"The solution is a triangular approach which brings together academia, industry and education funders at every level. West Nottinghamshire College is also on the lookout for an investor to set up its own base in India as well," she said.

A total of 1,195 candidates have been selected for honours this year, with 610 successful women candidates representing 51 per cent of the total.

Actresses Angela Lansbury and Penelope Keith become dames in a list which features more women than men for the first time in history. However, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and former England soccer captain and global celebrity David Beckham were two surprising omissions from the list.

The duo, who both have Order of the British Empire (OBE), were tipped to be knighted. Murray, 26, became the first Briton in 77 years to win the Wimbledon men's singles title in the summer, while Beckham, 38, retired from football in May after a 20-year career.

The honours system recognises people who have made achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping Britain. The list, founded in 1917, is decided by an honours committee, which goes to the Prime Minister who then recommends the names to the Queen for the official award.

The Queen releases two honours lists every year – her Birthday Honours in June and News Year's Honours in December.