An Indian-born entrepreneur who rose from a £30-a-week paper boy to the helm of a multimillion-pound UK plc has been honoured by one of India’s most prominent universities.
Meenu Malhotra, Honorary Consul General of India in England and chairman of Malhotra Group PLC, has received a Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Odisha.
The accolade recognises Mr Malhotra’s business achievements and his longstanding contributions to community and charitable initiatives. The degree was presented at a major university event attended by around 40,000 students, guests and dignitaries.
Based in Newcastle, Malhotra Group PLC has diversified interests across hospitality, care, leisure, finance and a substantial commercial property portfolio. Through the Malhotra Family Foundation, the group has supported a number of health and social development projects both in the UK and India.
Mr Malhotra has also invested extensively in his home city of Ludhiana, including M Square, a landmark commercial development, and Imperial Golf Estate — a luxury project featuring a championship golf course, villas, apartments, a five-star hotel and an international school.
His appointment last year as Honorary Consul General of India in the UK — the first to hold this newly created role — has positioned him at the forefront of strengthening economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
The honorary degree places Mr Malhotra among a distinguished group of global figures recognised by KISS, including Grammy-winning composer Dr Ricky G Kej, environmental economist Pavan Sukhdev, and senior international business and education leaders.
Mr Malhotra described the honour as “incredible” and “very humbling”.
“To now be part of such an elite and illustrious international group of alumni who have all been recognised for their contributions is a very humbling experience. I cannot thank the university enough,” he said.
The doctorate adds to a long list of accolades for the businessman. He is a former Asian Businessman of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year, has topped the Northern Asian Power List, and is currently a Member of Court at Newcastle University, contributing to its governance.
In 2021, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland, recognising his contribution to his adopted home region.
Mr Malhotra credited his success to the people around him:
“This achievement is not mine alone. It is a testament to the immense support of my mentors, my family, the thousands of employees across our organisations and the incredible communities that have shaped my journey.”
