King's Birthday Honours 2024: 29-year-old Niharika among three Indian-origin women awarded OAM

In the King's Birthday Honours 2024, 493 individuals have been recognised in the general division of the Order of Australia. Additionally, there are 25 recipients in the military division, along with 162 meritorious awards and 57 conspicuous awards. Notably, among the recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division, there are three women of Indian origin.

Niharika Hiremath, 29, has received the OAM award this year.

Announcing the King's Birthday honours list, Governor General David Hurley underscored that the "vast majority" are individuals quietly making significant impacts in their communities.

While there are numerous prominent figures, ranging from politicians to sportspersons, on this year's honours list, SBS Hindi has compiled a list of three women of Indian descent who have been named in it.

Niharika Hiremath, OAM

Niharika, one of the youngest recipient of the award, has engaged in multiple youth initiatives.

Since 2021, she has been serving as a board member for the National Youth Advisor.

Additionally, she has contributed to projects such as the Refugee and Migrant Background Young People Project, the Australian Youth Advocates for Mental Health, and Worker, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Youth.

Harinder Kaur, OAM

Harinder Kaur has been honoured for her dedication to community service through various social welfare organisations.

Harinder Kaur, OAM Credit: Supplied by SBS Punjabi/Credit:Harinder Kaur

Kaur, who established the Harman Foundation in 2013, is actively involved in the Glenwood Community Hub, the Inter Faith Women Group and the Teeyan Society.

In the past, Kaur has been honoured with numerous awards, such as the Woman of the Year award from the Blacktown City Council, the Riverstone Local Woman of the Year award, the Hindu Council of Australia Award as well as the Corporate Excellence Award and Humanity Excellence Award from Corrective Services NSW.

Sakshi Thakur, OAM

Sakshi, who resides in Melbourne, has also been honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for her community work.

Since 2022, she has been serving as the Metropolitan Manager at Social Enterprise Network Victoria (SENVIC).

Sakshi Thakur, OAM Credit: Supplied by Sakshi Thakur

Furthermore, Sakshi serves as the co-founder of Sewing the Seeds, previously known as Humanism Global, an organisation dedicated to empowering women in India.

She has also contributed her efforts to promote Indian dance with the Tatkaar Kathak Dance Institute Australia.

She has received several awards and accolades, including the Sir John Monash Award for Outstanding Excellence (2018), the Inspirational Women's Leadership Award, and the Outstanding Leadership Award from the City of Monash.

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