Celebrating Dadabhai Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Democracy in the UK

A commemorative event was held at the House of Lords to honor Dadabhai Naoroji on his 200th birth anniversary. Known as a pioneering Indian nationalist leader, Naoroji was the first Indian elected to the British Parliament and was influential in political, economic, and academic circles.

The House of Lords recently hosted a special event marking the 200th birth anniversary of Dadabhai Naoroji, a seminal figure in Indian nationalism and the first Indian to successfully contest and win a British parliamentary election. Lord Karan Bilimoria, a Parsi peer, organized the reception.

Naoroji, often referred to as the 'grand old man of India,' was a multifaceted personality serving as a Zoroastrian priest, businessman, academic, and politician. He first journeyed to England in 1855 for business and later left a significant mark on British politics by becoming the first ethnic minority elected to the Parliament.

The event included reflections from India's High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, on Naoroji's lasting impact and the contributions of the Parsi community. Former UK cabinet minister Sir Vince Cable highlighted Naoroji's 'drain theory,' which critiqued the British economic impact on India. A supportive exhibition further celebrated Naoroji's remarkable life and career.

(With inputs from agencies.)