Malaysian born and raised Jane Chelliah-Manning will receive the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) from King Charles III, at a date to be determined.
She had been contacted by the United Kingdom Cabinet Office and was informed that she had been picked for the award for her work in the civil service and contributions to British society.
Jane, 59, works as an assistant director in the British government’s Department for Business, and holds a Master’s degree in international relations from the London School of Economics. The award, she said, also recognised her work as chair of a London-based charity for women with learning disabilities.
“It’s one of those rare moments in life when you get something you never dreamt would come your way. You never aimed for it. It’s other people who nominated you in secret. I never thought this would happen to me,” she said.
She dedicates her MBE award to her late father, John Chelliah, who had always encouraged her to reach for the skies.
“He was the former director of the Malaysian Agricultural Producers Association. My parents always encouraged their children to aim high,” she said, adding that the values they instilled helped her through life’s journey.
Jane, who is also a contributor to the BBC Asian Network on issues relating to Asian women, hoped that she could deliver the right message for women, including her 23-year-old daughter. – The Health
