From Haryana, Indian-origin mother-son duo become mayors in UK

IN what put up be called a duplicate enjoy for a fellowship from Haryana's Rohtak, 23-year-old Tushar Kumar and his fuss, Parveen Rani, have been elected mayors in the United Kingdom, a country they moved to in 2013.While Parveen Rani was elected as the first Indian-origin mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council, her son Tushar Kumar created history by becoming the youngest Indian-origin mayor in the UK, taking over the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council as its youngest-ever mayor.The mother-son duo was elected to the posts within a week of each other.Tushar's father, Sunil Dahiya, on Sunday told news agency PTI that Tushar was elected as mayor on May 13 and his mother Parveen became a mayor on May 20.Roots in Haryana’s Sonipat, had been living in Rohtak before the UK moveThe Dahiya family’s ancestral village, Rohna, falls in Kharkhoda in Haryana's Sonipat. But they had been living in Rohtak for a long time before moving to the UK in 2013.Sunil Dahiya, a businessman, said when he, along with his wife Parveen and two children, moved to the UK in 2013, they did not have anything specific in mind."We had not come with any specific thing in mind when we moved to the UK in 2013... Tushar was just 10 years then," he said."Today, it is a matter of great pride that a mother and her son from a family who are of Indian origin have become mayors at the same time," he added.Dahiya said Tushar and his mother always liked helping the community and doing social service. Tushar used to do a lot of community service, he said.According to Dahiya, Tushar was just 20 when he got elected as a councillor while he was in a college in London.Dahiya said his family still remains connected to its roots in Haryana, and they also have a house in Rohtak where some other family members live."We always stay connected with our roots. We visit our hometown every year," he said.‘Age no barrier for public service’According to Sunil Dahiya, Tushar Kumar strongly feels age should never be a barrier to entering public and community service, and his message to the youth is that they can enter public or community service without waiting for a certain age. Tushar strongly believes that one must stay rooted in one's culture and heritage, his father said.Tushar's opportunities came from volunteering and community work. While he is very proud of his Indian heritage, he is also equally proud of the wonderful, diverse British town he serves, which is a cultural melting pot, Dahiya said.Tushar recently took charge as the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood. The Labour councillor joined the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council in 2023 and previously served in the role of deputy mayor.Taught Hindi free of cost in the UKSunil Dahiya revealed that his wife and son used to teach Hindi free of charge to those born and brought up in the UK."Tushar and his mother also used to teach Hindi free of cost to those born and brought up in the UK. Tushar is also connected with a charity-based organisation -- the Hindi Shiksha Parishad," the father said.He said both Tushar and his mother contested elections for the first time in 2023, and they were elected councillors."Prior to her mayoral appointment, Parveen also served as Cabinet Member for Streetscene, Parks, Leisure and Culture, deputy mayor of Hertsmere, and Global Envoy for Film and Television. Tushar became deputy mayor in 2025," Dahiya said.Tushar graduated from King's College, London. He was a second-year undergraduate student at the college pursuing a BSc in politics when he became a councillor at the age of 20. He will also pursue his Master's degree in September this year."My younger son is also pursuing his degree from King's College. He is also the trustee in King's College Students Union...," Dahiya said.Parveen Rani is passionate about community service, education, culture and bringing people together across all backgrounds and generations, he added.(With inputs from PTI)