A grand event was held in Hounslow on 22nd March to celebrate the remarkable 50-year public service journey of Virendra Sharma, the former Member of Parliament for Ealing-Southall. The event, attended by over 800 people at the Heston Hyde Hotel, paid tribute to Sharma’s lifelong dedication to serving communities in the UK and beyond.
Several prominent political figures attended the event, including Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Seema Malhotra, Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship, Dr Rupa Huq, MP for Ealing Central and Acton and the High Commissioner of Uganda to the United Kingdom H.E. Nimisha Madhvani.
Messages of congratulations poured in from fellow MPs and members of the House of Lords, displayed on the large screen on the stage.
The event also brought together Mayors, Councillors and community members, reflecting the widespread respect and admiration for the veteran politician.
Virendra Sharma, affectionately known as ‘Sharmaji,’ has been a tireless advocate for social justice and equality. Born in India, Sharma migrated to the UK in 1968 and started his career as a bus conductor on the 207 route in Hanwell before pursuing further education at the London School of Economics on a Trade Union Scholarship. His journey from public transport worker to British Parliamentarian is an inspiring story of perseverance and commitment.
The celebration saw an overwhelming response from diverse communities. The former Mayor of Loughton, Philip Abraham, and British South India Council of Commerce Director Pius John led Kerala community representatives in honouring Sharmaji, adorning Sharmaji and his wife Nirmala with a traditional Kerala Kasavu Shawl (Gold border) as a mark of respect.
Members of the Telugu community, the Indian Workers’ Union, and various other organisations also felicitated him for his contributions.
Speaking at the event, Sharma reminisced about his early struggles and the racism he encountered while working as a bus conductor. He highlighted how those experiences shaped his resolve to fight for a more just and equal society. His parliamentary career, which began in 2007, marked a new chapter in his dedication to public service. Since then, he has been re-elected multiple times and has been consistently ranked among the top ten most responsive MPs in the UK.
Sharma’s long-standing service includes significant contributions in various parliamentary committees. He served on the Health Select Committee, the Joint Committee on Human Rights, and remains an active member of the International Development Select Committee. He also chaired several All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) related to Indo-British relations, Nepal, Honour-Based Abuse, and Global Tuberculosis, among others.
Beyond his parliamentary role, Sharma has been deeply engaged in social, environmental, and educational initiatives. His unwavering commitment to secularism, fairness, and equality has been the cornerstone of his career. He began his political journey as a councillor in the London Borough of Ealing in 1982, serving the community for 25 years, including a term as Mayor. Throughout his tenure, he held several key positions, including Chair of Housing, Chair of Personnel, and Chair of the Race Equality Committee, championing policies that promoted inclusivity and social welfare.
A devoted family man, Sharma is married with a son, a daughter, and three grandchildren. His contributions to British politics and society remain a testament to his unwavering commitment to public welfare.
The event was not just a celebration of a political career but a tribute to a life dedicated to serving people. From ensuring commuters reached their destinations as a bus conductor to shaping policies in Parliament, Virendra Sharma’s journey stands as an inspiration to many, especially the Indian diaspora in the UK and beyond.
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