In what can be called a double joy for a family from Rohtak in the state of Haryana, 23-year-old Tusshar Kumar and his mother Parveen Rani were elected mayors in the United Kingdom, the country they moved to in 2013.
While Parveen Rane was elected as the first mayor of Indian origin to Hertsmere City Council, her son Tusshar Kumar made history when he became the youngest mayor of Indian origin in the UK, taking over the leadership of Elstree and Borehamwood City Council as the youngest ever mayor.
The mother-son duo were elected to office within a week of each other.
Tusshar was elected mayor on May 13 and his mother Parveen became mayor on May 20, Tusshar’s father, Sunil Dahiya, told news agency PTI on Sunday.
Rooted in Haryana’s Sonipat, she was living in Rohtak before the UK move
The ancestral village of the Dahiya family, Runa, is located in Kharkhuda in the Haryana state of Sonipat. But they were living in Rohtak for a long time before they moved to the UK in 2013.
Sunil Dahiya, a businessman, said that when he moved with his wife Parveen and two children to the UK in 2013, they did not have anything specific in mind.
“We weren’t thinking about anything specific when we moved to the UK in 2013,” he said. “Tusshar was only 10 years old at the time.”
He added: “Today, it is a matter of great pride that a mother and son from a family of Indian origin become mayors at the same time.”
Dahiya said Tushar and his mother always loved helping the community and doing social service. He said Tusshar was doing a lot of community service.
According to the district, Tusshar was only 20 years old when he was elected as a chancellor while at a college in London.
Dahiya said his family is still connected to its roots in Haryana, and they also have a house in Rohtak where some other family members live.
“We always stay connected to our roots,” he said. “We visit our hometown every year.”
“Age is not an obstacle to public service”
According to Sunil Dahiya, Tusshar Kumar feels strongly that age should never be a barrier to entering public and community service, and his message to the youth is that they can join public or community service without waiting for a certain age. Tusshar strongly believed that one should remain rooted in his culture and heritage, his father said.
Tushar’s opportunities came through volunteer work and community work. Dahiya said that while he is very proud of his Indian heritage, he is also proud of the wonderful and diverse British city he serves, which is a melting pot of culture.
Tushar recently took over as Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood. The Labor councilor joined Elstree and Borehamwood City Council in 2023 and previously served as deputy mayor.
Teach Hindi for free in the UK
Sunil Dahiya revealed that his wife and son were teaching Hindi for free to those who were born and brought up in the UK.
“Tusshar and his mother also used to teach Hindi for free to those who were born and brought up in the UK. Tusshar is also associated with a charitable organization – Hindi Shiksha Parishad,” the father said.
He said that Tusshar and his mother contested elections for the first time in 2023 and were elected as councillors.
“Before her appointment as mayor, Parveen also served as Cabinet Member for Streets, Parks, Recreation and Culture, Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere, and Global Envoy for Film and Television. Tusshar will become Deputy Mayor in 2025,” Dahiya said.
Tusshar graduated from King’s College, London. He was a college sophomore pursuing a bachelor’s degree in politics when he became a council member at age 20. He will also pursue his master’s degree in September this year.
“My youngest son is also pursuing his degree from King’s College. He is also the secretary of the King’s College Students’ Union…” Dahiya said.
He added that Parveen Rani is passionate about community service, education, culture and bringing people together from all backgrounds and generations.
(With inputs from PTI)
