Hamirpur's Gaurav Sharma sworn-in as MP in New Zealand; takes oath in Sanskrit, creates history

Dinesh Kanwar
Our Correspondent
Hamirpur, November 24

Dr Gaurav Sharma has been sworn-in a Member of Parliament in Wellington in New Zealand.

Hailing from Hamirpur, the lad has made not only his district, but also for the country as the parliamentarian took an oath in the Sanskrit language on Tuesday.

Sharma created history by becoming the first parliamentarian of Indian origin taking an oath in Sanskrit in New Zealand, and second political leader in the world to take an oath in Sanskrit on a foreign land.

Notably, the 33-year-old from Hadeta village of the district was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) from Hamilton West in New Zealand on October 17.

He was the candidate of the Labour Party and defeated Tim Macindoe of the National Party by over 4,386 votes. This was his second attempt—he had, earlier, fought the elections in 2017.

In conversation with The Tribune, Sharma said: “This is the start, because we have to make sure, that we keep the promises we make, as the Opposition will hold us accountable for not fulfilling our promises”.

Sharma was born on July 1, 1987.

His father Girdhar Sharma was an Executive Engineer in the state Electricity Board and mother Purnima Sharma is a homemaker.

He studied up to Class IV at DAV school here and completed Class VII from Adhunik Public School, Dharamsala, before his father moved to New Zealand after seeking pre-mature retirement.