New Zealand MP Dr Gaurav Sharma made history on Wednesday. He is the first MP of Indian Origin to be sworn in in foreign land. Dr Sharma, a native of Himachal Pradesh, was recently elected as an MP from the Labor Party in New Zealand’s election.
Gaurav Sharma, when he was sworn in by the New Zealand Parliament, said, “I swear Gaurav Sharma is faithful and has true loyalty to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her successors. So God help me.”
“Gaurav Sharma, one of the youngest MPs and recently elected, was sworn in today,” High Commissioner to New Zealand and Samoa Muktesh Pareshi said. He was first sworn in New Zealand’s native Maori and then Sanskrit. He respected the culture and tradition of both countries.
Indian New Zealand MP Dr Gaurav Sharma takes oath in Sanskrit – pic.twitter.com/ZGhNnB2t1S
– J. November 25, 2020
Asked not to swear in Hindi, Dr Sharma said, “I have thought about it, to be honest. But then there was the question of doing it in Pahari and Punjabi. It’s hard to make everybody happy. Sanskrit is important because it honors all Indian languages.”
By profession, Dr. Sharma defeated Tims Mackindob in Hamilton West by 4,386 votes. Prior to this, he had run for election in 2017 but was not successful. He is the second Nata of Indian origin to be sworn in in Sanskrit. Chandrika Prasad Santokhi, who took office in July 2016 this year, was also sworn in in Sanskrit.
.