New Delhi: Dr Gaurav Sharma, an Indian origin doctor, who was elected as member of New Zealand Parliament, scripted history on Wednesday as he took oath in Sanskrit language.
33-year-old Dr Gaurav Sharma, who hails from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh won the election as a Labour Party candidate from Hamilton West on October 17.
“Dr Gaurav Sharma, one of the youngest, newly elected MP in NZ Parliament took oath today, first in NZ’s indigenous Maori language, followed by India’s classical language- Sanskrit, showing deep respect for cultural traditions of both India and New Zealand,” tweeted High Commission to New Zealand Muktesh Pardeshi.
To be honest I did think of that, but then there was the question of doing it in Pahari (my first language) or Punjabi. Hard to keep everyone happy. Sanskrit made sense as it pays homage to all the Indian languages (including the many I can’t speak) https://t.co/q1A3eb27z3
— Dr Gaurav Sharma MP (@gmsharmanz) November 25, 2020
Dr Gaurav Sharma has become the first elected leader of Indian origin taking an oath in Sanskrit in New Zealand Parliament. He is also the second political leader in the world to take an oath in Sanskrit on a foreign land.
History Made: New Zealand Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Gaurav Sharma @gmsharmanz takes oath in Sanskrit. Sharma hails from India’s Himachal Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/a4qnGw4WBf
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) November 25, 2020
A month back, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur congratulated the people of state on his remarkable feat.
“Gaurav, has earned a name for the state and the country and the people of Himachal Pradesh are feeling proud of this achievement, congratulations and infinite greetings from all the people of Himachal,” Thakur said.
गौरव आपने अपने नाम को सार्थक करते हुए विदेश में देवभूमि का भी नाम गौरवान्वित किया है, आपको देवभूमि हिमाचल की समस्त जनता की ओर से हार्दिक बधाई एवं अनंत शुभकामनाएँ। https://t.co/YsqnKfY6l3
— Jairam Thakur (@jairamthakurbjp) October 18, 2020
About Dr Garuav Sharma
Gaurav Sharma was born on July 1, 1987. His father Girdhar Sharma was an Executive Engineer in Himachal Electricity Board and mother Purnima Sharma a homemaker.
He studied up to Class IV at DAV school and completed Class VII from Adhunik Public School, Dharamsala, before his father moved to New Zealand after seeking pre-mature retirement.
