UK-based NRI assumes charge as Mayor of Southwark

, Jun 8: A

-based

Sunil Chopra has assumed charge as the

of the London Borough of Southwark, becoming the first Indian-origin person to hold the prestigious office.

He was installed as the first citizen of the Borough at a gala ceremony held at the iconic Southwark Cathedrawl last evening in presence of a large gathering including Gowri Shankar, Deputy Director of the Nehru Centre, the cultural wing of the Indian High Commission.

In his acceptance speech, Chopra announced that "the Robes Project and Homes for Heroes" would be his charity for the new municipal year.

The Robes Project provides temporary accommodation to the homeless. Chopra, General Secretary of the Indian Overseas Congress, London, is the first and only Indian-origin elected councillor in London Borough of Southwark, which has 1.5 per cent Indian-origin population.

Last year Chopra was elected deputy mayor and following his re-election on May 22 as the Labour Councillor, he was elected as the Mayor. Born and brought up in Delhi, Chopra was the first President of College of Vocational Studies in Delhi before moving to the UK.

During his university days he was Vice-President of Youth Congress Delhi and President of NSUI, Delhi.

PTI