A man of Nepali origin has been elected as mayor of Swanley Town Council in the United Kingdom.

Shankar Gaire, a taxi entrepreneur, on Wednesday became the first person of Nepali origin to secure the post. Gaire, a candidate from the ruling Conservative Party, had been elected the Councillor of Christchurch Ward in the previous year. He was then elected the deputy mayor of Swanley Town Council under Councillor John Barnes.

“This is a win for me, my motherland and all the Nepalis,” Gaire told the Post, after his victory. “I am extremely delighted to be elected as the mayor of a British town.” Outgoing Councillor Barnes, the youngest mayor in Swanley’s history, handed over his duty and office to Gaire who will serve a one-year term.

Gaire had migrated to the UK from Rupakot Village in Gulmi in 1994 and has been living in Swanley for the past 13 years with his wife Laxmi Gaire and two sons.