NRI chosen mayor of London borough

A non-resident Indian elected councillor in Brent for the third successive term since 1996 has been chosen mayor of the London borough, with a large Indian community.

"It is a great delight to become the mayor of Brent. This borough is unique in many respects: the diversity of its citizens, the variety of languages that are spoken and the host of religious festivals that are celebrated," said Harshadbhai B Patel after his election.

"Within Brent I am proud to say that there is real unity and the borough is a great example of how everyone can live together and prosper, both individually and as communities. With this in mind I am very much looking forward to my mayoral year ahead," the 43rd mayor of Brent told mediapersons.

Patel, took over the reigns of office from Bertha Joseph at a ceremony in Wembley.

Earlier this week, Harjit Gill was elected mayor of Gloucester, making him the first Asian to hold the high office in Gloucester.