THE NEW mayor of Harrow received the mayoral chains after being sworn in at last night's annual council meeting.

Councillor Mrinal Choudhury was given the title of the borough's first citizen yesterday evening, as members of the council thanked outgoing mayor Councillor Asad Omar.

Cllr Choudhury has lived in Harrow for 32 years and was first elected to the council in 2002.

He has represented Kenton West and Edgware wards.

His chosen charities for this year are Harrow Mencap and Harrow Association of Disabled People.

Mayor Cllr Choudhury was born in the Indian village Chaitanyapur, in West Bengal.

He moved to London in 1962, to study electrical engineering before taking a job at British Telecom, where he worked until taking early retirement in 1990.

His wife Rama will accompany him on engagements. The couple have a son who lives in Hong Kong.

His first appointment as mayor is due to be a visit to Harrow Light Opera Company this evening.

Cllr Choudhury will read poetry from his favourite Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, and his most famous book Gitanjali.

Cllr Choudhury said: “It is a real honour to be elected Mayor of Harrow and I am looking forward to carrying out my duties over the next year.

“I have always been very involved in the community and the thing I am looking forward to the most is meeting the people who live and work in our diverse borough.

“I also hope to raise lots of money for these very important charities. I hope I can help to raise their profile and highlight the excellent work they do for so many people across Harrow.

“It will be a tough job though. Cllr Asad Omar attended more than 600 functions last year. I told him he has set me a very high target, but I will do my very best to match him.”