Wellington – One of the youngest, newly elected MP Dr Gaurav Sharma in New Zealand Parliament took oath, first in NZs indigenous Maori language, followed by Indias classical language – Sanskrit, showing deep respect for cultural traditions of both India and New Zealand.
Indian-origin MP Dr Sharma said,Today I took my Affirmation of Allegiance to the Crown in Te Reo Maori, to acknowledge tangata whenua, and in Sanskrit, to acknowledge my Indian heritage. I have tried to learn Te Reo in the past through Unitec and learnt Sanskrit when I was in primary and middle school in India.
Sanskrit is a 3500 year old language from which many of the current Indian languages have originated. I have been told today that I am only the second person ever to take Oath/Affirmation in Sanskrit outside of India.
I am deeply honoured to be part of the 53rd New Zealand Parliament and look forward to serving fellow Hamiltonians as well as New Zealand over the next three years