Rishi Sunak is the first British Asian and Hindu Prime Minister of the UK (Picture: Getty Images)
The president of a Hindu temple has branded Rishi Sunak’s rise to Britain’s top political job as ‘our Barack Obama moment’.
Sanjay Chandarana has celebrated the UK’s first British Asian prime minister, who is set to be officially appointed tomorrow morning.
Mr Sunak is also the first Hindu PM, and the youngest for more than 200 years at the age of 42.
The Vedic Society Hindu Temple in Southampton, which Mr Chandarana runs, was established by Sunak’s grandfather Ramdas Sunak, in 1971.
The Tory leader’s dad Yash, continued the connection as a trustee into the 1980s.
Mr Sunak still visits the temple, which is in the city he was born in. He went in July and provided a meal for worshippers – something his family does each year.
Mr Chandarana said: ‘It’s a proud moment, the temple is buzzing right now, a lot of people are showing their own pictures with him, when he was here before he took pictures with every single person who was in temple, 300 people.
Rishi Sunak wins Tory leadership race: What happens next?
Rishi Sunak will become the new UK Prime Minister after winning the ruling Conservative Party’s leadership contest triggered by Liz Truss’ resignation last week.
– Rishi Sunak will have a ‘patient and professional’ leadership style as PM
– From mum’s ‘tiny’ chemist’s to the door of No10: Rishi Sunak’s journey to PM
– Inside Rishi Sunak’s family life as he becomes Prime Minister
– Liz Truss was unable to admit mistakes – her successor must be willing to
– Rishi will need to go from ‘book-keeper to peacekeeper’ as he becomes PM
Read the latest Rishi Sunak news on Metro.co.uk’s dedicated page.
‘It’s like for the UK, it’s the Barack Obama moment, where a non-white person becomes Prime Minister for the first time, also a person from Indian origin and Hindu which is another dimension and everyone is very proud.
Mr Sunak takes over from Liz Truss who was only at the helm for 44 days (Picture: Getty Images)
Sanjay Chandarana says this is Rishi Sunak’s ‘Obama moment’ (Picture: vdicsociety)
‘When we learned he was going to be Prime Minister we offered a special prayer and he will feature in my Diwali speech.’
Mr Obama was the first African American to become President of the United States in 2009.
Mr Chandarana believes Mr Sunak’s appointment as PM means integration is working across the country.
‘I work in an investment bank, I am a managing director in Canary Wharf, people of all generations feel there is some issue, but in the UK, everyone is properly integrated now I would say,’ he said.
‘It will unite the country, because he practises Hindu religion religiously and one of the key values we have is the whole world is our family and we believe in unity in that respect.
‘The biggest challenge is the economic challenge and the political uncertainty, that is something he will have to address.’
Meanwhile, the boss of an Indian restaurant where Mr Sunak used to clean tables as a teen, said he believed he would run the country ‘passionately’.
Kuti Miah, has known Mr Sunak since he was two months old and said: ‘I want to wish him all the best, he was a great person and I have hope that he will lead the country better.
Barack Obama was the first African American to become President of the United States (Picture: Getty Images)
More: News
‘It’s a tough time, he’s got a tough task on his hands but he’s up to the task.
‘He will do the job passionately, he’s a passionate person.
‘Knowing him, I know he will do his best, he will be honest with people. He’s a human lover, he’s not doing the job for money, he’s got enough money.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Rishi’s former boss and a Hindu Temple president have praised the new PM.