The Non-Residential Indian community in London felicitated Khalid Hameed, former High Sheriff of Greater London and erstwhile Chief Executive of Cromwell Hospital, on his elevation to the peerage.

Speaking at the reception held at the prestigious Institute of Directors on May 22 to honour the Lucknow-born Indian, NRI entrepreneur S P Hinduja said, "Hameed's ascent to one of the highest titles in the country has been a story of steady and determined progress as a professional and a public person."

Observing that Hameed excelled not only in medicine but also in numerous other activities, chairman of the Hinduja Group said: "He now joins a small but a growing galaxy who have made our one million-strong community proud."

Listing Hameed's achievements, Hinduja said, as Chief Executive, Hameed had turned Cromwell Hospital around taking it to its heights, served as Chairman of the Alpha Group and is currently setting up a new London International hospital. Khalid Hameed has received various honours including CBE (Commander of British Empire), The Sternberg Interfaith Award and National awards from no less than five Heads of State.

"Our Indian community today numbers over one million. We have contributed to every walk of British society and we have been recognized for it. We have amongst us high-class professionals, entrepreneurs and academics. Yet, we have still not entirely managed to achieve a proportionate place in the country's economic, political and social life," Hinduja told the gathering.