THURROCK is saying farewell this month to one of its most beloved public figures, the former mayor and councillor of 20 years Yash Gupta, as he retires from public life.

The 81-year-old Grays councillor has stood successfully eight times in the ward of Grays Thurrock.

For Councillor Yash Gupta MBE, life has never been ordinary, and his 20-year-career has included being awarded an MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 2006, as well as becoming the first Thurrock councillor from a minority ethnic group in 1996.

Mr Gupta came to the UK from Amritsar in India in 1966 but did not arrive in Thurrock until 1974.

Although best known as the former Mayor from 2011, Mr Gupta has also worked in Thurrock as a senior educational psychologist, founder of the Thurrock Racial Unity Task Group and the Thurrock Asian Association, along with tireless outreach work across different communities.

For his efforts in community cohesion, Mr Gupta was awarded the prestigious international “Glory of India Award” in 2008.

Mr Gupta spoke to the Gazette about his 20 years serving the public of Thurrock, including beating the British National Party candidate in all eight elections.

The married father-of-three said: “Over the time I have worked in Thurrock I have seen big changes. At the council, I think now everyone there knows about equality and I think they have become more accepting over time.

“BNP candidates always stood against me and they preached a lot of hate and made personal attacks. But at the end of the day, I knew what I was standing for.

"Overall, the only way you can deal with prejudice is by mixing communities and creating opportunities for that.”

Recalling his last Full Council meeting, Mr Gupta said he was shocked when all parties from across the entire chamber stood and gave him a lasting standing ovation.

He said: “I never, ever thought that this sort of thing would happen in the council. It was a very, very humbling experience.”

Mr Gupta has just released a self-published edition of his autobiography, entitled "I Can and I Will."