Virendra Sharma MP - Central News Hub

Sharma welcomes Nepal PM to UK at gala dinner

MPs, Peers, civil society, business leaders and British-Nepali’s welcome Sher Bahadur Deuba to the UK for COP26 with a gala dinner in his honour, reports Asian Lite News

In a gala dinner at the Naval and Military Club, between Mayfair and Westminster, Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was welcomed to the UK and feted for his role in building Nepal’s future.

Surrounded by dignitaries from politics and business the evening began with a reception and concluded with a dinner. The dinner was hosted by Virendra Sharma MP, the Chair of the Nepal All-Party Parliamentary Group, who introduced the Prime Minister on stage.

The dinner was made possible by the generosity of Ravi Jung Lamichhane and Mahanta Bahadur Shrestha, who were present at the dinner, thanked by the audience and welcomed the Prime Minister with garlands.

Speaking to introduce the Prime Minister, Virendra Sharma MP said, “The new government settlement and constitution, after years of civil war in Nepal, has set Nepal on its own self decided course. Prime Minister it was your leadership that made that possible, you have been fundamental to the position that Nepal is in today. Your legacy is assured, and yet you continue to strive for the people of Nepal and for the good of the country. I thank you for your service to both countries.”

The Prime Minister thanked those present for their attendance and congratulated the UK and Nepal on their continued friendship. The Prime Minister outlined his belief in the strength of the relationship between the two countries, and his hopes for the future.

The Lord Sheikh, Lord Lancaster and Catherine West MP, Shadow Foreign Office Minister, also spoke to welcome the Prime Minister and to toast the Nepal-UK relationship. In the audience, amongst others, were Andrew Rosindell MP, Sharon Hodgson MP close aide to Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer MP, Fleur Anderson MP, Matthew Offord MP, Navendu Mishra MP, Nick Smith MP, Baroness Chapman, Lord Popat, Lord Balfe and others.

In more than 200 years the UK and Nepal have stood together as allies, this gala dinner highlighted that the relationship is as healthy as ever before. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson was unable to attend, but issued his best wishes for the dinner, and announced he was looking forward to meeting Sher Bahadur Deuba in Glasgow for COP26.

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Sharma hosts annual Youth Summit with over 100 students

Opening the Youth Summit, Virendra Sharma MP said: “You have immense energy, skills and ideas to shape and improve society and our environment today…reports Asian Lite News.

Virendra Sharma MP hosted the second annual Youth Summit with more than 100 Sixth Form students from Elthorne Park High School, a local secondary school in his constituency. He was also joined by Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, the Ealing Council Cabinet Member for Decent Living Incomes. Councillor Mahfouz’s portfolio consists of COVID19 recovery, community development, post 16 education, apprenticeships, skills, employment, further education and higher education amongst other responsibilities.

The Ealing Southall MP welcomed the students and later answered their questions with Councillor Mahfouz on issues that matter most to them. The students were then placed in six groups of policy areas to discuss, debate, and write up a three-point manifesto which they later presented to all attendees. The topic areas included citizenship & political representation, education, physical health, mental health, economy – economic inequality and environment.

Opening the Youth Summit, Virendra Sharma MP said: “You have immense energy, skills and ideas to shape and improve society and our environment today. The pandemic has maybe forced you to grow up faster than you would have. So, it is important now more than ever that elected representatives empower you to be active citizens and to voice your concerns. By taking action in your local communities, you will gain skills and experiences that will help you achieve great things after school life in further education and employment.”

Speaking after the Summit, Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, the Council Cabinet Member for Decent Living Incomes said: “Elthorne Park students showed their passion to make a difference locally and globally putting forward transformative proposals to make our neighbourhood and the world a better place! It was clear their priorities are for a healthier and greener future and they want to see politicians tackle the climate crisis, prioritise jobs and promote positive mental health. They showed in abundance, the reason why the government should lower the voting age to 16. Elthorne Park students are really blessed to have an MP like Virendra who reaches out to engage, listen and promote open government.”

Presenting the 3-point manifesto on Mental Health students said: “This should be part of the school curriculum with a bigger part of PSHCE and mental health should be seen the same way as physical health. Mental health in the community should be promoted through youth centres, online and in person support, mentoring and counselling. There needs to be mental health support at employment levels, reduced NEATS, and increase in apprenticeships.”

Virendra Sharma MP thanked the students for their presentations and the Head of Sixth Form at Elthorne Park High School, Ms. Holly Thomas, for helping to arrange the two-hour virtual summit. He promised to report the manifesto points directly back to the Council to address the recommendations made by the students. The Ealing Southall MP will be hosting the Youth Summit again next year in association with other local secondary schools in the constituency, having hosted students from Villiers High School at the inaugural summit last year.

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