A well-known UK-based Sanskrit scholar and the Executive Director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan centre in London has been conferred an honorary MBE by King Charles III for services to Indian classical arts in Britain.
Dr. M.N. Nandakumara, who hails from the village of Mattur in Karnataka, has been associated with the Bhavan for 46 years and has welcomed Charles – the then Prince of Wales – to the popular Indian cultural hub on several occasions.
The honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) has been conferred “for services to the teaching, performance and accessibility of Indian classical arts in the UK”.
The honorary award is approved by the British monarch for foreign nationals for their contribution to public life, and was confirmed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Dr. Nandakumara hails from the Indian state of Karnataka. He has been associated with BharatiyaVidyaBhavan centre for 46 years (from 1970).
The Order of the British Empire was established by King George V in 1917 to honour those who had served in a non-combative role and expanded the Order to reward contributions to the Arts, Sciences, Charitable work and Public Service.
Order of the British Empire (MBE) is the third highest ranking Order of the British Empire award (excluding a knighthood/damehood), behind CBE and then OBE.
The MBE is awarded for an outstanding achievement or service to the community which has had a long-term, significant impact.
