New Delhi: It is a proud and historic week for an Indian-origin family in Britain. This May, 23-year-old Tushar Kumar was sworn in as mayor of Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, and just days later, his mother, councillor Praveen Rani, became the first Indian-origin mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council.
For the family, who moved from Haryana to Britain a little over a decade ago, the back-to-back wins turned a local political story into an inspiring journey of migration and representation for the Indian diaspora.
“It is a matter of great pride that a mother and her son from a family of Indian origin have become mayors at the same time,” Kumar’s father, Sunil Dahiya, told PTI. For him, this is a meaningful moment for both the family and the community they now represent in the United Kingdom.
Kumar, who lived in Rohtak until age 10, became the youngest Indian-origin on 13 May. The family’s ancestral village is Rohna in Kharkhoda, Sonipat, and they had been living in Rohtak before moving to the UK in 2013.
“We have always stayed closely connected to our roots and make it a point to visit our hometown every year,” said Dahiya.
From Rohtak to reigning as mayor
Long before the mayoral ceremonies and official photographs, the Dahiya-Kumar family’s story followed a familiar journey of migration and rebuilding life in a foreign land. Their move was driven by hopes of better opportunities, especially for the children.
After settling in Hertfordshire, the family slowly became part of the local community through school functions, work and neighbourhood events. Over time, this involvement led to public life. Tushar Kumar entered politics as a Labour councillor representing residents of Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, while his mother became a councillor working on local civic and community issues.
Back in Rohna and Rohtak, images of the mother and son wearing mayoral chains in two different council chambers symbolise how the family’s move abroad turned into something far bigger than personal success.
Tushar studied politics at King’s College London. He is expected to begin his Master’s degree this September. According to his father, his younger son studies at the same college and serves as a trustee for the students’ union.
Also Read: 23 and mayor—How Tushar Kumar made history as the UK’s youngest Indian-origin councillor
Making history
Several Indian reports described Kumar’s election as “historic,” with one calling it “a remarkable feat for an Indian-origin family.”
At the same time, Parveen Rani’s election as the first Indian-origin woman mayor reflects the increasing role of migrant women in local public life in Britain.
According to his father, Kumar believes that age should not prevent anyone from entering public service, and that young people should take part in community work without waiting until a certain age.
The mother and son first contested elections in 2023, when they were elected as councillors. Before becoming mayor, Praveen Rani held several roles, including cabinet member for street scene, parks, leisure and culture; deputy mayor of Hertsmere, along with being the Global Envoy for Film and Television for the town. Tushar was also the deputy mayor in 2025.
The duo have also been teaching Hindi for free to children in the Indian community. Dahiya said Tushar is also associated with a local charity organisation called the Hindi Shiksha Parishad.
Back in Haryana, especially in Sonipat and Rohtak, the family’s achievement has been widely celebrated on social media and in local news coverage. One headline read, “After son Tushar Dahiya, mother Parveen Rani becomes mayor too; Sonipat mother-son duo creates history in Britain,” while a tweet on X described it as “British Hindus Make History in the UK.”
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)