Lord Hameed honoured with Freedom of the City of London award

Tuesday, 14 August 2012 - 4:21pm India News Bulletin Desk

NRI Khalid Hameed, the chairman and chief executive of the London International Hospital, has been honoured with the Freedom of the City of London award for his work within the medical profession as well as in recognition of his efforts in promoting interfaith relations.

Lord Hameed, originally from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state in India, is also the chairman of Alpha Hospital Group.

The Freedom of the City award is aimed at recognising its receiver’s service to the community.

“I am very happy and grateful to Britain for giving me this honour,” said Lord Hameed. “Any award is recognition of consistent hard work that helps the community at large and plays some role, in a positive fashion, to the lives of others.”

“The establishment doors will open and due recognition will come your way if you are able to function with integrity and dedication through your work to benefit not only yourself and your family but also society at large,” he added.

The only other Indian to have received the Freedom of the City of London award was India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956.

In 2009, the Indian government honoured Lord Hameed with Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian awards in India.