Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE DL) Lord Dr Khalid Hameed has roots in Lucknow, India, although he has dedicated his life in strengthening healthcare in UK. Lord Hameed has worked for three London teaching hospitals. Following this he developed a successful practice in Central London and was appointed CEO and Executive Director of the Cromwell Hospital, London. He is currently Chairman of the Alpha Hospital Group and also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the London International Hospital, a new Centre of Excellence being created for the treatment of cancer, heart and the brain.Lord Hameed has an annual get-together in Lucknow at his ancestral mansion and this year it coincided with the ongoing World Cup Cricket Cup semi-finals between India and Pakistan on 30 March 2011. He organized the screening of the cricket along side a get-together.
Lord Hameed chairs the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council. He is a Board member of the British Muslim Research Centre, and also the Ethnic Minorities Foundation. He is an Executive member of the Maimonides Foundation and a Trustee of The Little Foundation. Dr Hameed supports various charities and was awarded the Sternberg Award for 2005 for his contribution to further Christian - Muslim - Jewish Relations.
He was awarded Padma Bhushan, third in hierarchy of civilian awards given by the Government of India in 2009. He had earlier received Padma Shree in 1992 – another one of the top ranking civilian awards. He was the chief guest at Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2010 held in New Delhi.
At his ancestral mansion in Lucknow, the get-together was attended by the Uttar Pradesh state Governor Shri BL Joshi and his wife, Chief Guest was British High Commissioner HE Sir Richard and Lady Tagg among a number of distinguished residents of this city.
"It has been one of the most beautiful dinners in the years, I am enjoying myself throughly sumptious food coupled with a great show by our team has made this dinner truly memorable," said Tata Consultancy senior official Jayant Krishna.
"Good I came, lovely weather, lovely food and the bonus of watching the magnificient match," said politician Kokab Hameed who had come from Delhi just for this annual get-together hosted by Lord Hameed.
Sure everyone was having a blast. The kaababs, the biryani and the sheermaals and people from diverse background indeed made March 30th an unforgettable day for citizens of Lucknow.
Kulsum Mustafa
(The author is a senior journalist and also serves as Secretary of Media Nest)
