Shiv Khan Honoured by British Queen for HIV work in South Asia

[Guest guest]

From: Naz Foundation International

PRESS RELEASE

INDIA MADE PROUD: SHIVANANDA KHAN HONOURED BY THE BRITISH QUEEN

Mr. Shivananda Khan, the founder and chief executive of the charity Naz

Foundation International (London) with its Regional Liaison office at

Lucknow (India) working in the field of HIV/AIDS, helping homeless and

deprived masses at global level has been honoured with Most Excellent

Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the British Queen, the news of

which will be officially released on 31st December 2004 in the Queen’s

New Year Honours List, for his services to HIV/AIDS prevention and to

marginalised communities in South Asia. Mr. Khan, popularly known for

his long running services over the above issues and also for the

marginalised classes was born in Calcutta (West Bengal, India) joins the

ranks of other famous Indian’s so honoured, with the above award

including the famous film star Om Puri, and the renowned politician Lord

Dholakia.

This honour recognises Mr. Khan’s restless and often pioneering work

addressing both unpopular and often ignored social issues, both in India

and abroad. His achievements range from helping homeless and deprived

young people, to the establishment of the first UK-wide network for

South Asians with alternate sexualities. Mr. Khan has also campaigned

for, and established HIV/AIDS services for South Asians in the UK along

with services for the marginalised males in South Asia, that are

culturally, socially, linguistically and religiously appropriate. Mr.

Khan has greatly championed the recognition of the needs of those with

alternative sexualities, particularly males-who-have-sex-with-males in

South Asia, realising that it is those who are the most marginalised and

discriminated against, who are the hardest hit in terms of HIV/AIDS and

human rights abuses. He has written a range of articles and essays on

sexuality, gender and HIV/AIDS. On hearing of his award, Mr. Khan is

quoted as saying “ I’m very excited about receiving the honour, not so

much for myself, but for how it will help our work with marginalised

males-who-have-sex-with-males, their partners and families in South

Asia, and elsewhere”.

In addition to his above contribution especially on HIV/AIDS Mr. Khan

who is a PIO (Person of Indian Origin) has also been seriously taking

sincere efforts in the field of social harmony in the country and the

region through the Regional Liaison Office of NFI. The efforts of

Shivananda Khan as the CEO of NFI has helped develop 28 such Community

Based Organisations spread across India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.

Undoubtedly this prestigious award has not only boosted the moral of Mr.

Khan but is also a credit to India where he was originally born.

Editor’s information: More information on Mr. Khan’s recent work can be

found on the Naz Foundation International’s website:

" http://www.nfi.net " www.nfi.net.

For more information contact Arif Jafar

on phone: +91 (0) 522 2205781-2, e-mail: HYPERLINK

" mailto:arif@... " arif@....