Tributes paid to 'selfless' former mayor after his death aged 80

HE WAS A PASSIONATE SUPPORTER OF CHARITIES AT HOME AND ABROAD

- By OSCAR FISHER

A FORMER mayor of Derby has been fondly remembered by his family and his colleagues following his death at the age of 80.

Ashok Kalia was sworn in as the city's mayor at Assembly Rooms on May 24, 2000, and went on to serve the city in the role until spring 2001.

Prior to being mayor, Mr Kalia was first elected to Derby City Council in 1988 to represent Labour in the ward formerly known as Babington, before going on to serve as deputy mayor from April 1999 to 2000.

During his time serving the city, Mr Kalia carried out many campaigns designed to help those living in poverty, including sending more than 700 computers to his native Indian state of Punjab over four years between 2000 and 2004.

The scheme aimed to help schoolchildren avoid poverty through education, and saw Derby Telegraph readers donate hundreds of machines to dozens of schools in India.

While mayor of Derby, Mr Kalia's wife, Santosh Kalia, became a well-known face around the city and within communities for her kind nature and charity work.