Kashmir Gill has made history by becoming the first Sikh Mayor of Yuba City, California. Mr. Gill who is a Sikh American, arrived to the US as a toddler and had previously worked as a farmer in order to support his family, but is also currently a successful banker.

Gill optimises the ‘American dream’ and originates from the village of Lakhsian in the Punjab; making him the first Punjabi American to become mayor in not only Yuba City, but California also. Yuba City has a population of 65,000 people with around 15,000 Punjabi people including Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims.

In Mayor Gill’s oath-taking ceremony, spectators were treated to Indian delicacies such as: Samosas, chana masala and traditional sweets as well as the sound of Punjabi music. Yuba City became the first Indian settlement in the US with Punjabis arriving in the late 19th century and has five Gurdwaras as well as a Hindu temple and a Mosque.

Republican Gill told the local media that he is living the American dream: “I'm living the American dream. From going to the US with no money, having a tough life and learning the value of hard work and sharing with others, to becoming a public servant.”