A physician of Indian origin Dr.Khalid Hameed, has been appointed as the High Sheriff of Greater London. High Sheriff, a largely ceremonial post, is the oldest office in Britain apart from the Monarchy and has been in existence for 1,000 years.
Lucknow-born Dr.Hameed, who was till recently the head of Cromwell Hospital in London, described the honor as a proud moment for India and a positive signal to ethnic minorities in Britain.
According to Dr.Hameed, earlier, the High Sheriff used to collect taxes and raise armed forces. Now, he has to visit the Police Headquarters, Prisons, Hospitals and Fire Brigade.
Describing himself as a "great believer in inter-faith unity as all religions preach common good, Dr.Hameed said a ceremony would be held at Westminster Abbey on July 5 in which Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh representatives would take part.
Dr. Hameed was the first Asian to be appointed as Chief Executive of Cromwell Hospital, London. He stayed in that post for 15 years and helped the hospital achieve a pre-eminent position in Europe.
