Harbhajan Kaur Dheer (62), an Indian-origin councillor has become the first Asian woman to be elected as the Mayor of Ealing Council, London, after succeeding councillor Tej Ram Bagha.
She is a passionate advocate of rights of children and elderly including those with mental health issues. Her husband, councillor Ranjit Dheer is a former Mayor of Ealing in 2001-2002.
On becoming the Mayor, Kaur said, “It is a great privilege and challenge to be the Mayor of Ealing Council in London. I have no illusions about the task ahead. But if I can cope up with Ranjit [Dheer] at home, I can climb even the Everest.”
Harbhajan Kaur was born in Punjab, in 1953 and came to Britain in 1975. Her initial years in Britain were difficult and she had to work extremely hard to secure herself and raise her children.
In the 1990s, she worked as a volunteer Home Visitor. She helped home bound women to learn English.
Kaur attended Kingston University and obtained a degree in Social Sciences in 1995. She has also worked as an Approved Mental Health Professional in Surrey County Council until 2003.
She joined the Labour Party in the 1980s. It is there where Kaur began her public role within the Party, as well as in the community. She has also been a governor at a number of schools in Ealing.
