Jaswant Singh Birdi was born in Punjab and moved to the UK a number of a long time in the past.
London:
An area British Sikh councillor primarily based in Coventry has made historical past for the central England metropolis by turning into its first turban-wearing Lord Mayor.
Jaswant Singh Birdi, who was born in Punjab and spent a while as a toddler in Calcutta in West Bengal, moved to Coventry 60 years in the past and has served as an area councillor within the metropolis for 16 years.
He lately took formal cost of his new submit of Lord Mayor with the official Chains of Workplace along with his spouse Krishna by his aspect because the Lord Mayoress.
“I’m so proud to grow to be Lord Mayor of my adopted residence metropolis,” mentioned Mr Birdi.
“It has given a lot to myself and my household over time and I might be honoured to point out why I find it irresistible a lot and to advertise town and the fantastic individuals who dwell right here,” he mentioned.
“As a Sikh, it additionally means a lot that I might be carrying the Chains of Workplace and the turban. It’s going to assist present what a cheerful multicultural metropolis we’ve and possibly encourage others as effectively,” he added.
Aside from being a councillor, Mr Birdi has been actively concerned in establishing spiritual, social, and neighborhood tasks in Coventry.
Now in his function as Lord Mayor as an envoy of town, his chosen charities for help for the yr embody Muscular Dystrophy charity, the Coventry Useful resource Centre for the Blind, and College Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Charity.
He served as Deputy Lord Mayor for the previous 12 months and was introduced with the Chains of Workplace on the Annual Basic Assembly at Coventry Cathedral final week, a ceremony attended by members of his household. He succeeds Councillor Kevin Maton within the function of Lord Mayor and Councillor Mal Mutton has been named because the Deputy Lord Mayor for the approaching yr.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by Ednbox workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
