United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak interacts with the media after his meeting with King Charles III, at No10 Downing Street in London, on 25/10/2022. Photographs from Facebook/ Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak has created history, to say the least. His elevation as the first non-white, Indian-origin British Prime Minister is the hallmark of his success.
New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives for his first Cabinet meeting
His parents – father Yashvir, a retired doctor, and mother Usha Sunak, a pharmacist - are of Indian descent. They migrated from Kenya to the UK in the 1960s.
Rishi Sunak, with his parents, father Yashvir Sunak, a retired doctor, and mother Usha Sunak a pharmacist
Sunak's grandparents originated from undivided British India, but their birthplace Gujranwala lies in modern-day Pakistan's Punjab province.
PM Rishi Sunak’s Post on the day he was appointed as Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer "Growing up I never thought I would be in this job (mainly because I wanted to be a Jedi).I'm honored that on this day last year the PM asked me to serve as Chancellor. It's been incredibly tough but thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way." (Picture source: Facebook (2021)/ Rishi Sunak)
(L-R)Rishi Sunak's first question at Prime Minister's Questions in 2015 "I asked the PM about improving broadband in rural areas like ours," said Sunak on his Facebook page| Rishi Sunak, then Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer on his way to his first budget announcement in 2021 "I have seen first-hand the contribution made by ethnic minority communities to Britain’s history. That is why I backed the “We Too Built Britain” campaign," Rishi Sunak on the Diversity coin designed by Dominique Evans and released by the Royal Mint
The Southampton-born 42-year-old Prime Minister is married to Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy's daughter Akshata Murthy, whom he met while studying at Stanford University – Sunak, a merchant banker and Akshata, a fashion designer.
(L-R)Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy, Sudha Murthy, Akshata Narayan Murthy, fashion designer and venture capitalist and PM Rishi Sunak
They married in 2009 and the couple have two daughters - Krishna and Anoushka.
Akshata Narayan Murthy and Rishi Sunak with their daughters Krishna and Anoushka
A devout Hindu, Sunak took oath as a member of the British Parliament in 2015, swearing by the Bhagwad Gita. He displayed his religious roots by proudly displaying the sacred Hindu thread on his wrist during his first address after taking over as the Prime Minister. On the occasion of Janmashtami, Sunak and his wife visited the Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple.
Sunak and his wife Akshata Narayan Murthy at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple in Watford, United Kingdom on the occasion of Janmashtami
Photographs of his visit to various Hindu temples have gone viral on social media showing his spiritual background. His name Rishi means monk in Hindi, a carefully chosen meaningful name at the time of his birth.
Rishi Sunak seen lighting earthen lamps at the doorstep of No. 11 Downing Street on the occasion of Diwali
As the first Chancellor to light earthen lamps on the doorstep of No. 11 Downing Street, his Tory election victory on Diwali this year is also a record in itself, rejoiced by many British Hindus.
