It’s always a proud feeling when people of Indian origin achieve success globally. Be it Kamala Harris, the first Indian-American to be elected to the US Senate, or Aneesh Sheth, the first transwoman of Indian origin to make waves in Hollywood, such powerful individuals have successfully made a name for themselves in various fields.
Recently, a Himachal-origin man was elected as a member of the New Zealand Parliament. Dr Gaurav Sharma, who immigrated to New Zealand around 20 years ago, won the election as a Labour Party candidate from Hamilton West electorate, reports News18. A native of Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district, the 33-year-old has a bachelor in medicine and surgery and works as a general practitioner in Nawton, Hamilton.
Sharma was studying in class 9 when his father, who was an executive engineer in the electricity board of Himachal, migrated to New Zealand with his family. His dad bravely left his government job and decided to shift to a new country. However, his family struggled during their initial years in the country.
The Labour Party said, “In the six years it took Gaurav’s father to find a job in his field of work, he experienced homelessness – sleeping on park benches and eating at the Auckland City Mission and Hare Krishna.”
Congratulations Dr Gaurav Sharma new Member of Parliament for Hamilton West. pic.twitter.com/OTS69fKBF6
— Trefor (@treforward) October 17, 2020
According to the Labour Party, Sharma has been involved in public health, policy, and consulting in several countries as well. He has also advocated rights for refugees and helped rebuild villages in Nepal after the massive 2015 earthquake.
Indian Express reported him saying,
“As a local doctor, I hear first-hand the concerns of our community every day. My work in healthcare and experience in management will help me be a strong voice for Hamilton in this post-pandemic recovery phase.”
When Labour’s Dr Gaurav Sharma, who has beaten Tim Macindoe in Hamilton West, was out on the campaign trail in 2016 some people refused to shake hands with him because of the colour of his skin. What a win.#NZElection2020 https://t.co/HwVho5espm
— Angela Cuming (@AngelaCuming) October 17, 2020
Congratulating him on his victory, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur that Sharma said the people of the state were proud of him. He said, “Dr Gaurav, who belongs to Galod in Hamirpur, has earned a name for the state and the country and the people of Himachal Pradesh are feeling proud of this achievement.”
Congratulations to the MP. We wish him great success in his future endeavors.