Community leader Dr Hari Shukla has received a CBE for helping to promote racial harmony in this country, especially in his local area.
The 81 year old from Chapel House, Newcastle, who has previously received a MBE as well as an OBE, has devoted his life to race relations. Born in 1933 in Uganda, Dr Shukkla went to school in Kampala, achieved his teachers certificate in Kenya and his Certificate of Education from Exeter University. He later completed a course in Newcastle through The Open University.
For 20 years (1974-94) he was the director of the Tyne and Wear Racial equality council and has been involved with a number of charities, including NSPCC and St Oswald's Hospice, as well as holding dozens of voluntary roles in organisations.
Married to 79 years old Ranju, Dr Shukla, who has four children and nine grandchildren said: “My main aim is to unite and encourage people from all communities to work together for the welfare of this area. A multicultural society is not a liability- it is an asset. And it is possible for us to live as one big family.
“I try to emphasise that we all need to make a contribution to the well being of our region, however little it may be.”
