An interfaith service was held on 31 May, 2015 to bless Councillor Roy Sanjeev Arora as he took office as the new Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. He is the youngest and first British Indian Mayor of this Borough. Cllr Arora’s wife, Manisha Arora(née Patel) and daughter, Sonali Arora were also present – they were appointed jointly as Mayoress.
Mr Mahendra Thakar represented the Sarvoday Hindu Association and commenced his blessing with the Gayatri Mantra. Councillor Arora, with origins in Punjab, India, is an MBA qualified management consultant. He has worked for the Ministry of Defence, Deloitte and currently runs his own consultancy business.
Cllr Roy Arora said, “Kingston is the birthplace of England; where the first Kings who can be called 'Kings of England' were anointed and crowned in the tenth century. Kingston has a very special place in the history of the UK and I am privileged to serve as Mayor"
"I stand for inclusion and integration and thus intend to support and celebrate the fantastic cultural diversity in Kingston. It is one of our greatest strengths. Together, as one community, we are richer and stronger.
"I feel we should look after our elderly. With the UK’s rising elderly population, it is important to support those who need it most, so my charity for the year is Kingston Hospital Charity Dementia Appeal.”
