Shireen D Mistry, former Head of Communications and Public Affairs of the British Deputy High Commission for Western India, was awarded an honorary MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge here today.
"Her Majesty The Queen has approved the award of an honorary MBE to Shireen Dinshaw Mistry, an Indian citizen, in recognition of her contribution towards building strong relations between India and the United Kingdom," an official release said here.
Mistry worked at the British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai for 23 years, between 1992 and 2015, running their Communications and Public Affairs department for Western India.
She was presented with her honorary MBE by His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge during the Royal couple's visit here today, the release said.
British Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai, Kumar Iyer, said "Shireen has been a powerful and impressive advocate for strong and friendly relations between India and the UK. On top of that she has been the link between the media in Western India and the British Government and a popular, high profile member of the British Deputy High Commission staff.
"I am delighted that Her Majesty has graciously approved this award and that His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge has agreed to present it to Shireen. She deserves it," Iyer added.
Mistry is a graduate of Mumbai University (St Xavier's College, where she co-founded its popular annual festival Malhar) and of Oxford University (Somerville College).
She worked as a journalist before joining the British Deputy High Commission.
The Order of the British Empire (which has several ranks) is the order of chivalry of British democracy. Valuable service is the criterion for the award. Citizens from other countries may also receive an honorary award for services rendered to the United Kingdom and its people.
The MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) was created in 1917 by King George V to recognise the contribution of a greater range of people to the British war effort and with the post-war intention to reward services in a wider sense.
Under the MBE, women and foreigners were included in an order of chivalry for the first time, it added.
