Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Lakhman Arjan Vara, Conservative MP Shailesh Vara's father, dies at 98: 'A life well lived, full of love'

The senior Vara was born in Ranavav in the Indian state of Gujarat in 1924 and moved to Uganda with family in later years.

Lakhman Arjan Vara, Conservative MP Shailesh Vara's father, dies at 98: 'A life well lived, full of love'

Lakhman Arjan Vara, the father of Conservative parliamentarian Shailesh Vara, passed away in London on Tuesday (10).

He was 98.


He was born in Ranavav in Porbandar district of the western Indian state of Gujarat on September 7, 1924. The day of the funeral was yet to be known.

The Varas had moved to Uganda in Africa where Shailesh was born in 1960 but the family moved to the UK four years later.

The mourning family issued a note confirming the death of the senior Vara.

Shailesh Vara Parliamentarian Shailesh Vara (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

It said, "Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. A divine soul who touched the lives of many with his beautiful smile, warmth, generosity and humility.

"A life well lived, full of love, affection and kindness; forever in our hearts.

"A much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather."

The family also urged that its privacy be respected in the hour of grief.

It said, "The family asks that their privacy is respected at this time and that there are no home visits. Those wishing to express personal condolences should please attend the prathna sabha or funeral, details of which will follow."

Shailesh Vara is a five-time parliamentarian from North West Cambridgeshire and has served in various government posts, including the secretary of state for Northern Ireland between July and September 2022.

More For You

Lancashire Health Warning

Dr. Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health, Lancashire County Council

Via LDRS

Lancashire warned health pressures ‘not sustainable’ without stronger prevention plan

Paul Faulkner

Highlights

  • Lancashire’s public health chief says rising demand on services cannot continue.
  • New prevention strategy aims to involve entire public sector and local communities.
  • Funding concerns raised as council explores co-investment and partnerships.
Lancashire’s public sector will struggle to cope with rising demand unless more is done to prevent people from falling ill in the first place, the county’s public health director has warned.
Dr. Sakthi Karunanithi told Lancashire County Council’s health and adult services scrutiny committee that poor health levels were placing “not sustainable” pressure on local services, prompting the authority to begin work on a new illness prevention strategy.

The plan, still in its early stages, aims to widen responsibility for preventing ill health beyond the public health department and make it a shared priority across the county council and the wider public sector.

Dr. Karunanithi said the approach must also be a “partnership” with society, supporting people to make healthier choices around smoking, alcohol use, weight and physical activity. He pointed that improving our health is greater than improving the NHS.

Keep ReadingShow less