Professor Bharat Pankhania Inauguration Speech as mayor of Bath 2025 - 2026

Описание: "I, Bharat Ramji Nathoo Pankhania, having been elected to the Office of Mayor of The City of Bath hereby declare that I take the said Office upon myself, and will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties thereof according to the best of my judgement and ability.

As we come to the theme for my mayor’s year, let me share a quote from Nelson Mandella:
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Today, I declare my mayoral theme to be:
Education is Empowerment.

Education is not just about acquiring knowledge— it is also about liberation, it is about making the right critical analysis, using wisdom, and making sound judgments, especially in our current world order of deliberate manipulation and misinformation.

Education is about unlocking the full human potential. It equips individuals to dream, to innovate, to contribute.

Education provides us with tools not only to uplift ourselves but also to serve and uplift others and to realise their full potential.

Education is also about lifelong learning, a forever cycle, for all ages, for all people.

Growing up, I saw education transform lives—my own included.
My lucky escape in life was this, against all odds, family and peer pressure, the determined young Bharat plotted his escape from educational poverty, he taught himself.

I was able to do this for we had a great library service in Leicester. I owe a great debt of gratitude to the library service in Leicester.

I have seen the sad wasted potential of my patients and many many people I looked after in the Welsh valleys as a GP.

Many of my patients lived in the deprived Welsh valleys, their opportunities were poor, they had poor lifestyles, and their upwards mobility was limited by design.
They would remain poor, and they would die before their time.

My Education opened the doors, it has created opportunities for me, it has given me the confidence to contribute to society, as an individual, a clinician and an academic. It has given me the confidence to speak up for both for myself and on behalf of others.

As mayor of Bath, I have no executive powers, however, I wish to engage and use the soft power of my office and support the power of education being made available to every resident of Bath—regardless of age, background, or circumstance.

Education is lifelong learning.
Debate and locking horns is good for you.
Every time we pass on knowledge or skills, we invest in our shared future.

Bath is uniquely placed to lead on this. With two world-class universities, excellent schools, a vibrant cultural life, and a strong civil society, we have the foundations to become a beacon city for inclusive and transformative education.

I have started work to support initiatives such as:
• Strengthen ties between educational institutions and local communities, industry and not forgetting our craftsmen and tradesmen.
• I have already knocked on the doors of my own Exeter University, Bath Spa University and our famous charity where I am also a director, the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute.
• I will be knocking on several more doors, so when the mayor of Bath comes knocking, please share a few precious moments with me.

• Last week I visited Bath University Engineering department at their open day where my nephew is a professor, the undergraduate’s projects are mind blowing, all I want is for you, Professor Vimal Dhokia, is to bring your engineers to our schools, show them what wonderful things your university does.

• I want to Promote access to learning for all age groups

• Celebrate our educators and mentors

• Encourage civic education (boy scouts and guides), I have already knocked on their doors.

• And, most importantly, inspire a culture where learning is celebrated and shared.

To our young people I want to say this: dream boldly, work diligently, and know that your voice matters, enjoy learning, make it fun, it is power, it will be your liberation.

To our elders: your wisdom is invaluable—teach us, guide us, share your stories.

And to all residents of beautiful Bath: let us invest in each other’s growth, because a city that learns together, thrives together.

In closing, I promise to serve with honesty, dedication, and tireless compassion, to this end I have drastically given up most of my work for this year. To my colleagues from Northern Ireland and Exeter, I am sorry, you will see less of me, I will miss you, however, it is only for one year.

Let us make education is empowerment, together in unity, celebrating the rich tapestry of our communities and the boundless possibilities ahead.
When we invest in education, we don’t just build knowledge—we build dignity, opportunity, and hope.

I am very proud and honored to serve you all as Mayor of Bath. The 798 Mayor of Bath. I am looking forward to my Year of service to Bath, the best of people and city on planet earth.
Thank you.

video via @anupsodha