Parvinder Singh first Sikh mayor of Wokingham

An Indian-origin councillor on Friday took charge as the mayor of Britain’s Wokingham Borough Council, the first-ever Sikh to hold this position.

Parvinder Singh Batth, a Conservative party councillor has served his local borough of Wokingham in Berkshire in south east England as Deputy Mayor, took over the role from Councillor UllaKarin Clark and will serve till 2016.

“Councillor Clark has helped me immensely. She will be a tough act to follow, and to her I say thank you,” Councillor Batth thanked Ms. Clark for her support.

“I will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties of my role to the best of my judgment. Being born in Punjab to a farming family, I come from a humble background.

“However, I now feel even more humbled being chosen as the new Mayor,” Councillor Batth said.