Ranchhod and Mishra named for QSM
The Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) was instituted by New Zealand in 1975, at the same time as the Queen’s Service Order (QSO). The purpose of both the QSO and the QSM is to recognise voluntary service to the community and also elected or appointed public office. Up to 60 awards of the QSM can be made each year and recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters 'QSM' after their names. Military personnel are not eligible to be awarded the QSM for their military service, however, community service performed in a civilian capacity can be recognised by the award of the QSM.
Each year the Honours list is announced on the 1st of January and like every year, the 2015 list also boasts of the inclusion of names of persons of Indian origin. This year there are two exceptional Indians who have made it to the Queen’s honours and are receiving the Queen’s Service Medal.
Raman Ranchhod - QSM
There are various forms of giving. One may give by dedicating time or knowledge. By doing this we are in fact receiving more without expecting anything in return. This is the mantra for Mr Raman Ranchhod who receives QSM for services to the Indian Community.
Mr Raman Ranchhod is currently the Senior Director of the Ranchhod Group, a commercial property investment enterprise that he established with his son, which operates in Australasia and beyond.
At an early age he became involved in the Wellington Indian Association, later serving two terms as Vice President. He was instrumental in establishing a physical base for the association, which is also used for social functions, and was central to many major events in the Wellington Indian Community, while also conducting religious Geeta classes.
In 2011 he established the Ranchhod Foundation to extend his philanthropic work to medical organisations, which provide voluntary treatment, and for the education, health, welfare, cultural and economic development of disadvantaged people. In India he was instrumental in the construction of the Laduben Ranchhod Urban Health Centre in Navsari. He has funded free eye clinics, high tech hospital equipment, school equipment and school fees for children – in continued sponsorships for 100 students.
The Ranchhod Foundation has partnered with World Vision to provide three water filtration units to rural schools. Mr Ranchhod has donated health equipment to the Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland and to other Hospitals in Tanzania.
Raman arrived in New Zealand in the 1950s, starting his life in Wellington. He married in 1964 and has two children and four grandchildren. For the past ten years he has been living in Auckland.
Prabodh Mishra - QSM
Prabodh Mishra says he is “deeply humbled by this honour. I am also pleased that it is an acknowledgement of voluntary service across a range of Communities and not just Fijian Community”.
Mr. Mishra settled in New Zealand in 1987 after Fiji's first military coup. He was a Fijian Diplomat having served in London and New Zealand. In New Zealand, he has been Human Resources Manager at the Ministry of Education, Te Papa Tongarewa, the New Zealand Police Commissioner’s Office and Te Kohanga Reo National Trust. He has served on the Families Commission Ethnic Reference Group. He joined the Rotary Club of Western Hutt in 1993 and has been a Trustee and President. For three years he has assisted with the Wellington Regional Asian Health Alliance in Newtown and Lower Hutt. He has been an advisor and President of the Fiji Indian Association, Wellington for three terms.
Mr Mishra has provided free training in Employment Law for new migrants and assisted with tax matters and advocated on behalf of migrants with problems with employers. He spearheaded a joint project with Rotary and Fiji Community members to raise funds for the McIndoe Institute and chaired the Wellington Fijian Support Group for the Rugby World Cup 2011. He is currently a Board member and volunteer at Citizens Advice Bureau, Lower Hutt and resident JP.
He holds a Master’s Degree from Auckland University and a Certificate in Diplomacy from Oxford University, UK. He is an Associate Fellow of NZ Institute of Management (retired) and Professional Member of Human Resources Institute of NZ (Retired) He is also a registered marriage celebrant. Mr. Mishra is a Foundation Member of Fiji Indian Association and is also a recipient of Paul Harris Award- Rotary’s highest Award.
The Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) was instituted by New Zealand in 1975, at the same time as the Queen’s Service Order (QSO). The purpose of both the QSO and the QSM is to recognise voluntary service to the community and also elected or appointed public office. Up to 60 awards of the QSM can be made...
The Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) was instituted by New Zealand in 1975, at the same time as the Queen’s Service Order (QSO). The purpose of both the QSO and the QSM is to recognise voluntary service to the community and also elected or appointed public office. Up to 60 awards of the QSM can be made each year and recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters 'QSM' after their names. Military personnel are not eligible to be awarded the QSM for their military service, however, community service performed in a civilian capacity can be recognised by the award of the QSM.
Each year the Honours list is announced on the 1st of January and like every year, the 2015 list also boasts of the inclusion of names of persons of Indian origin. This year there are two exceptional Indians who have made it to the Queen’s honours and are receiving the Queen’s Service Medal.
Raman Ranchhod - QSM
There are various forms of giving. One may give by dedicating time or knowledge. By doing this we are in fact receiving more without expecting anything in return. This is the mantra for Mr Raman Ranchhod who receives QSM for services to the Indian Community.
Mr Raman Ranchhod is currently the Senior Director of the Ranchhod Group, a commercial property investment enterprise that he established with his son, which operates in Australasia and beyond.
At an early age he became involved in the Wellington Indian Association, later serving two terms as Vice President. He was instrumental in establishing a physical base for the association, which is also used for social functions, and was central to many major events in the Wellington Indian Community, while also conducting religious Geeta classes.
In 2011 he established the Ranchhod Foundation to extend his philanthropic work to medical organisations, which provide voluntary treatment, and for the education, health, welfare, cultural and economic development of disadvantaged people. In India he was instrumental in the construction of the Laduben Ranchhod Urban Health Centre in Navsari. He has funded free eye clinics, high tech hospital equipment, school equipment and school fees for children – in continued sponsorships for 100 students.
The Ranchhod Foundation has partnered with World Vision to provide three water filtration units to rural schools. Mr Ranchhod has donated health equipment to the Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland and to other Hospitals in Tanzania.
Raman arrived in New Zealand in the 1950s, starting his life in Wellington. He married in 1964 and has two children and four grandchildren. For the past ten years he has been living in Auckland.
Prabodh Mishra - QSM
Prabodh Mishra says he is “deeply humbled by this honour. I am also pleased that it is an acknowledgement of voluntary service across a range of Communities and not just Fijian Community”.
Mr. Mishra settled in New Zealand in 1987 after Fiji's first military coup. He was a Fijian Diplomat having served in London and New Zealand. In New Zealand, he has been Human Resources Manager at the Ministry of Education, Te Papa Tongarewa, the New Zealand Police Commissioner’s Office and Te Kohanga Reo National Trust. He has served on the Families Commission Ethnic Reference Group. He joined the Rotary Club of Western Hutt in 1993 and has been a Trustee and President. For three years he has assisted with the Wellington Regional Asian Health Alliance in Newtown and Lower Hutt. He has been an advisor and President of the Fiji Indian Association, Wellington for three terms.
Mr Mishra has provided free training in Employment Law for new migrants and assisted with tax matters and advocated on behalf of migrants with problems with employers. He spearheaded a joint project with Rotary and Fiji Community members to raise funds for the McIndoe Institute and chaired the Wellington Fijian Support Group for the Rugby World Cup 2011. He is currently a Board member and volunteer at Citizens Advice Bureau, Lower Hutt and resident JP.
He holds a Master’s Degree from Auckland University and a Certificate in Diplomacy from Oxford University, UK. He is an Associate Fellow of NZ Institute of Management (retired) and Professional Member of Human Resources Institute of NZ (Retired) He is also a registered marriage celebrant. Mr. Mishra is a Foundation Member of Fiji Indian Association and is also a recipient of Paul Harris Award- Rotary’s highest Award.
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