HE has been an orthopaedic surgeon in East Yorkshire for 30 years, has played international cricket, and runs a charitable hospital in his native India.
Now, Dr Ashok Pathak has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours, for services to medicine in the East Riding and in India.
Dr Pathak, 58, of Kirk Ella, is an associate specialist for the Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust.
He represented India at cricket for two years while a medical student before moving to East Yorkshire.
Despite his duties with the trust, Dr Pathak has found time to tirelessly carry out charity work back in India.
He said: “I was absolutely delighted and humbled when I heard the news.
“But I feel this honour is also for all the people who have helped me over the years.”
Dr Pathak helps run his family’s Jagjiwan Tuberculosis Hospital in Bihar in India.
He returns there twice a year with teams of health professionals to train local health workers in basic surgical techniques.
On top of this, Dr Pathak has also raised thousands of pounds and, in 2009, he arranged a charity cricket match between a World XI and a Yorkshire XI.
He said: “I was an accomplished cricketer and represented my country.
“I have brought back underprivileged cricketers from India to play in East Yorkshire, which has a great reputation.
“They always leave the county with very happy memories.”
In 2008 he received the India International Foundation Award for services to medicine.
He is also a founder, with Lord Parekh, of the Hull Hindu Cultural Association, working to raise awareness of Indian and Hindu culture in East Yorkshire.
He said: “I find time to do my charity work at weekends and in the evening.
“It is all about time management.
“But I wouldn’t be able to achieve all this without the help of people from East Yorkshire.”
Bosses at East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust have praised the work of Dr Pathak.
Medical director Dr David Hepburn said: “No one is more deserving of this great honour than Ashok Pathak.
“I have known him personally for many years and while he has been an excellent servant of the Trust for over 30 years, his untiring charitable works really make Ashok stand out as a special person. ”
Meanwhile, Howden farmer Richard Longthorp has been awarded the OBE for services to the farming industry.
He is chairman of the Agri-Skills Strategy Group, which has set new standards for training in agriculture.
Julie Stamper, of Market Weighton, has received an MBE for services to education.
She founded the schoolgirl mums’ unit 21 years ago and it has since flourished to become a national beacon of excellence.
The unit in west Hull provides education and support to teens who have fallen pregnant while still at school.
Other honours include an OBE for Beverley-based Michael Jackson, who is professor of management systems and Dean at the University of Hull’s Business School.
Martin Ferris, of Hull, who is head of clinical audit and effectiveness at NHS Sheffield, has received an MBE.
Dr Richard Newton Parker, of Driffield, a former principal of Chichester College, has received an MBE for services to further education.
Managing director of Jenkins Shipping Ports Services Ltd, Richard Brough, has received an OBE for services to Learning and Skills in the Humber Region.
Richard Hannigan, assistant chief Fire Officer at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, has received the Queen’s Fire Service Medal.
* A FORMER road haulage boss has also been appointed MBE in the New Year’s Honours list.
In a male-dominated industry, Margaret Edmunds certainly made an impression.
As Yorkshire area manager for the Road Haulage Association for 35 years, Mrs Edmunds played a pivotal role in setting out clear rules and regulations for haulage workers.
She said: “It was a big surprise when I found out. I was not expecting this at all.
“I retired in May and I think this is a reward for everything I have done over the last 35 years.
“I believe the Road Haulage Association’s board of directors nominated me for the award.
“I am looking forward to meeting royalty and my husband and sister are really proud of me.â€
As well as fighting fuel rises, campaigning against Humber Bridge tolls and highlighting the problems of fuel theft, Mrs Edmunds helped draft a clear guide for working conditions.
She said: “I think my proudest moment was writing and implementing employment terms and conditions for haulage staff.
“There are so many rules that apply to our workers in the haulage industry.
“Eventually, the terms and conditions I drafted were adopted nationally.â€
After dedicating her life to the haulage business, Mrs Edmunds is enjoying retirement.
She said: “I have worked hard all my life so I am enjoying my retirement.
“I spent so many years travelling round the country. “I have been up and down the M62 so many times and I don’t miss the bad weather and traffic jams.â€