An Indian-origin mayor in the United Kingdom (UK), who has her roots in Haryana, launched a first-ever South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) exhibition in Hertsmere, recognising the rich history, culture, traditions and contributions of South Asian communities to British society.
Praveen Rani, the first Indian-origin mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council, told PTI over the phone that “Together, we celebrate our heritage, embrace our diversity, and build stronger communities for future generations. Diversity is our strength and we celebrate each other’s stories.”The South Asian Heritage Month, opened on July 5 at the Bushey Museum and Art Gallery, is an opportunity to recognise the generations who have helped shape modern Britain while inspiring young people to take pride in their identity, culture and heritage, she said.
The exhibition, showcasing glimpses of Haryanvi and Rajasthani culture, paintings and dresses, also highlighted their contribution to the UK, Rani said.
It also brought together community leaders, councillors, artists, residents and representatives from varied backgrounds, she said.
There was a lot of curiosity among people visiting the exhibition, with them telling their kids about Indian culture, traditions and dresses, she said.
{{/usCountry}}There was a lot of curiosity among people visiting the exhibition, with them telling their kids about Indian culture, traditions and dresses, she said.
{{/usCountry}}Rani’s husband, Sunil Dahiya, said that she is passionate about community service, education, culture, women empowerment and bringing people together across all backgrounds.
“People of Indian roots who are born and brought up here, how to empower them and to connect them with their roots and their language and to build the bridge between two countries is also something on which I focus,” Rani said, citing the example of her own 23-year-old son Tushar.
In 2013, Tushar, along with his parents, moved to the UK from Haryana and thirteen years later, in May this year, Tushar became the youngest Indian-origin mayor in the UK and the youngest-ever mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council.
A week later, his mother Rani was also elected as the first Indian-origin mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council.
Rani said that in Hertsmere Borough, she also invites people to join and celebrate Indian festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Diwali, Holi and other festivals.
For the Raksha Bandhan festival this year, she also plans to invite police and key workers from various departments.
“We celebrate all festivals together. I believe in bringing all people, all communities together so that everyone feels we are part of it,” she said.
On India’s Independence Day, Rani said a flag-hoisting event will be organised, which she will be attending.
The family, whose ancestral village Rohna falls in Kharkhoda in Haryana’s Sonipat, had been living in Rohtak for a long time before moving to the UK in 2013, her husband said. Calling it a matter of pride that his wife and elder son have become mayors at the same time, he said the family still remains connected to its roots in Haryana.
“Tushar and his mother also used to teach Hindi free of cost to those born and brought up in the UK,” 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,” Dahiya said.