When Sunil Dahiya settled down in Rohtak and moved to the UK in 2013 with his wife Parveen and two young sons, there were no grand plans. “We didn’t come with anything specific in mind,” he told PTI. Tushar was only 10 years old then. Twelve years later, the same family has quietly written a remarkable chapter – stretching from the streets of Haryana’s Sonepat district to the civic halls of Hertfordshire.On 13 May 2026, 23-year-old Tushar Kumar was elected Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, becoming the youngest Indian-origin mayor in the UK. Seven days later, his mother Parveen Rani was elected mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council – the first Indian-origin to hold the post. A mother and a son, from the same family, hold the positions of mayor at the same time.From classroom to council: Thasar’s early entry into public lifeTushar’s path into civic life began before most of his peers had given second thoughts to local governance. He was a second-year undergraduate at King’s College London, doing a BSc in Politics, when he stood for Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council in 2023 — and won, aged just 20.Alongside his teaching and council work, Tushar has been a tutor with Hindi Shiksha Parishad UK since March 2020, voluntarily teaching Hindi to those born and raised in the UK and organizing events attended by MPs, Councillors, and representatives of the High Commission of India. She also completed an internship with the Pagoda Program on Sustainable Global Experience in Brussels in July 2024, where she worked on climate negotiation simulations and explored the European Parliament’s policy framework.From June 2025, he is working full-time as a Professional Development Coordinator at the Chartered Insurance Institute, advising members on CPD requirements and regulatory alignment. At the council, he led Elstree and Borehamwood’s first Diwali celebration – a sold-out event attended by more than 500 residents. He served as deputy mayor in 2025 before taking on the top civic role this month.Parveen Rani’s decade of institutionalizationParveen Rani’s credentials in education and public service are deep. Before entering electoral politics, he served as Director of the London College of Business Sciences from 2012 to 2019, was Director at Kingsmead School, and Head Teacher at Creative Tutors. She has also held the positions of Parent Governor at WMG Academy Trust and Loxford School.He entered local politics with his son in 2023, winning a seat on Hertsmere Borough Council. She served as Cabinet Member for Street Scene, Parks, Leisure and Culture, then as Global Envoy for Film and Television, and was elected Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere in May 2024 before becoming Mayor in May 2026.Roots that travel well.The family’s native village, Rohna, falls in Kharkhoda of Sonepat district. They still have a house in Rohtak and visit every year. Tushar’s younger brother is currently pursuing his degree at King’s College London and serves as a trustee of the King’s College Students’ Union.Sunil Dahiya says his son firmly believes that age should never be a barrier to public service — and that staying connected to one’s culture and heritage is not at odds with serving the diverse, multicultural British community.
