Greater London Sheriff to visit native place in UP capital

Lucknow, Apr 16 (UNI) The first Asian High Sheriff of Greater London Dr Khalid Hameed will visit his native place in the Uttar Pradesh capital on April 19..

Dr Hameed was appointed High Sheriff early this month.

Former UP assembly deputy speaker Dr Ammar Rizvi -- who is coordinating Dr Hameed's visit -- told UNI here today that several functions would be organised in his honour.

Dr Hamid's itinerary would last about a week, in which he would also stay at his ancestral house at Narhi in the heart of Lucknow.

He was born in Lucknow and his father Dr Abdul Hameed was a noted physician and professor of King George Medical College (KGMC), which has been upgraded as King George Medical University (KGMU).

Dr Hameed is currently Chairman of Alpha Group of Hospitals in Britain and chairman and CEO of London International Hospital.

He was previously CEO and Executive Director of Cromwell Hospital, London. Dr Hameed is also Chairman of Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council.

High Sheriff, a largely ceremonial post, is the oldest office in Britain apart from the monarchy and has been in existence for 1,000 years.

Earlier, the High Sheriff used to collect taxes and raise armed forces, but now the sheriff has to visit the Police Headquarters, Prisons, Hospitals and Fire Brigades.

Dr Hameed was awarded Padamshree in 1992 and honoured by the Queen with the prestigious honour, Commander of the British Empire (CBE). He is also honorary physician to the President of India and the Uttar Pradesh governor.

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