NRI becomes UK Mayor, village rejoices

New Delhi: NRI hockey player, Harjit Singh Gill will become the first Asian Mayor of Gloucester city on May 21, 2007.

To say that he and his family is happy would be an understatement of sorts, but there are people who are happier still.

Gill's village - Dakoha, near Jalandhar - is rejoicing the fact that one of their own has created history of sorts.

"Harjit Gill, who was re-elected Labour city councilor for Barton and Tredworth, would formally become the Mayor of Gloucester on May 21. It's a great news for us as he would be the first Asian to achieve this feat," Gill's elder brother Kuldeep Singh Gill told news agency PTI.

Gill had earlier served as the Mayor of Barton for two years (1999-2000).

"The first year I did well and then they elected me the second time as well. I'm the first Asian who has held this job. I think this is the best achievement," Gill was quoted by PTI as saying.

Gill who had played for rest of India in Hockey matches took a Gloucestershire police Hockey team to India to play a five-match series a couple of years ago.

People of Punjab's Doaba region, in which Dakoha falls, are known for their craze to settle abroad and the belt has churned out many NRIs.

Kuldeep Singh lives with his wife in Dakoha while the couple's two children study in the USA. He said they had offered prayers to thank God.

"It's a proud moment for all of us. Harjit has not only made his adopted country proud but it's a great achievement and a thing of honour for the country of his birth too. Three years back too, he had become a Sheriff of Gloucester," the 56-year-old said.