‘Only woman of colour among nine white men’: King’s Birthday Honours recipient credits Australian mentors

Several members of the Indian diaspora have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026 for their contributions in various fields including healthcare and community service. Among the recipients is Brisbane-based real estate professional Usha Kiran Chandra, who has been awarded an OAM for her service to the Indian community. In this podcast, she opens up about her migrant journey and discusses the important role her Australian peers played in her professional development.

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A total of 702 Australians have been recognised in the Order of Australia (General Division) in The King's Birthday 2026 Honours List, including 40 as Officers of the Order (AO), 183 as Members of the Order (AM) and 474 awarded the Medal of the Order (OAM).

The following are the names of other people of Indian origin who have been included in the King's Birthday Honours List this year.

Professor Valsamma Eapen of UNSW was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to psychiatry, to child and adolescent mental health, to neurodevelopmental research and to tertiary education.

Professor Vankatesh Balasubramaniam received Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to critical and intensive care medicine, to infection control and to tertiary education.

Member of the order of Australia Medal 2026 recipient Dr Bala Venkatesh Credit: Supplied/SBS Tamil

Sydney's Bijinder Dugal has been acknowledged with OAM for her service to aged welfare through her work promoting the health and wellbeing of older members of the Indian community.

Background Image: A close-up of a nurse in a blue uniform holding the hand of an elderly person with compassion. This moment exudes a strong sense of support, humanity, and care in a healthcare setting or retirement home. (Credit: SimpleImages/Getty). Inset: Bijinder Dugal. Credit: (Credit: Supplied by Bijinder Dugal)

Perth-based Dr Atul Kumar Garg has been recognised with OAM for service to the community through a range of organisations.

(Background) Dr Atul Kumar Garg poses with his family after receiving the Volunteer of the Year award from the Western Australian government in 2026. Credit: Supplied by Dr atul Kumar Garg

Sydney-based community volunteer Noshir Irani has been awarded OAM for service to the community while Victoria-based Saurabh Mishra received an OAM for his service to the community through a range of organisations.

Sydney-based Noshir Irani has been awarded OAM this year.

Gold Coast-based Dr Dilipkumar Gahankari was awarded an OAM for his service to plastic and reconstructive surgery while Surrey Hills-based general practitioner Dr Abhishek Kumar Verma has been recognised for service to medicine and to medical administration across Australia.

Gold Coast-based Dr Dilipkumar Gahankari was awarded an OAM this year. Credit: Dr Dilipkumar Gahankari

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