In a rare achievement, 23-year-old Tushar Kumar and his mother Parveen Rani, an Indian-origin family from Haryana’s Rohtak, have been elected as mayors in the United Kingdom, PTI reported.
Tushar has become the youngest Indian-origin mayor in the UK after being elected Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council. A week later, his mother was elected Mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council, marking a second major civic milestone for the family.
According to Tushar’s father Sunil Dahiya, Tushar was elected mayor on May 13, while Parveen assumed office on May 20, as reported by PTI.
Journey from Rohtak to UK
The family, originally from the village of Rohna in Kharkhoda, Sonipat district of Haryana, had lived in Rohtak for several years before moving to the United Kingdom in 2013.
Dahiya, a businessman, told PTI that the family moved without a fixed plan at the time, and Tushar was around 10 years old when they relocated.
He said the development is a matter of pride as both mother and son, of Indian origin, now hold mayoral positions simultaneously.
Community service and political involvement
Dahiya said both Tushar and Parveen have been actively involved in community service and social work.
Tushar entered public life early, becoming a councillor at the age of 20 while studying in London. He joined the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council in 2023 and has also served as deputy mayor, taking charge as mayor recently.
Parveen Rani has also held several roles, including Cabinet Member for Streetscene, Parks, Leisure and Culture, deputy mayor of Hertsmere, and Global Envoy for Film and Television before her mayoral appointment.
Education, volunteering and community roots
Tushar is a graduate of King’s College London and was pursuing a BSc in politics when he became a councillor. He is also expected to pursue a master’s degree later this year.
The family remains closely connected to their roots in Haryana and continues to maintain a home in Rohtak, which is visited regularly.
Dahiya said both Tushar and Parveen have supported community initiatives, including teaching Hindi free of cost to UK-born children and being associated with the Hindi Shiksha Parishad.
He added that Tushar believes age should not be a barrier to entering public service and encourages young people to engage in community work while staying connected to their cultural heritage.
Parveen Rani is described as being deeply committed to community service, education, culture and efforts to bring together people across diverse backgrounds and generations.
