Indian-origin Chaman Lal Becomes First British-Indian Lord Mayor of Birmingham

Indian-origin Councillor Chaman Lal has become the first British-Indian Lord Mayor of Birmingham. He was chosen by the local councillors of the West Midlands city of England to take the post. Lal was born in Pakhowal village in Hoshiarpur before he moved to the UK and has been part of the Labour party since 1989.

Councillor Chaman Lal has been appointed as the first British-Indian Lord Mayor of Birmingham. He was chosen by the local councillors of the West Midlands city of England to take the post. Lal is from the Ravidassia community of British Sikhs and has been a part of the. During his acceptance speech last week, Lal said, “It is a very proud moment for me and our family, as a son of an army officer born in India, but made in Birmingham.”

“I am an adopted Brummie, and I never thought that one day I would become the Lord Mayor of my adopted city. I would like to thank my fellow councillors for electing me as their first citizen and of our great city which happens to be the highest civic role entrusted to a serving councillor,” he added.

Reportedly, Chaman Lal’s father, Sardar Harnam Singh Banga, came to England in 1954 and settled in Birmingham. He was a British Indian army officer who served in the Italian campaign during World War II. Chaman Lal then went to England with his mother, Sardarni Jai Kaur, in 1964 to join his father and has lived in Birmingham ever since. He was first elected in 1994 and in the most recent local elections, was re-elected as Councillor for the Soho and Jewellery Quarter Ward.

During the past 29 years, Lal has served on most of the local council’s committees including as a cabinet advisor for major transport projects. Recently, he served as the Chair of the Sustainability and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He was also responsible for the increase in late night and early morning bus services to meet the needs of the night economy as well as early morning workers.

Vineet Washington