Soon-to-be Irish PM’s kin can’t contain their joy

It is a time for celebration at Avinash Varadkar’s Borivli home, with over 100 relatives invited to join in the merriment. The octogenarian cannot contain his excitement as his nephew, Leo Varakdar, a politician from the Fine Gael party and doctor by profession, is all set to be Ireland’s new Prime Minister.

“Today, he was elected the leader of the party and in a few days he will be sworn in officially, but we wanted to celebrate his success,” said Avinash, 80, who last met Leo a few years ago when the latter was Ireland’s Sports Minister and was visiting India to attend a cricket match in Kolkata.

The 38-year-old Leo’s father, Ashok, was born in Mumbai and later moved to Ireland, where he met his future wife Miriam, who was working as a nurse.

Avinash, who used to work in the Railways, is one of Leo’s four uncles. Leo has five other aunts and several cousins living in India. The family traces its roots to Varad in the Sindhudurg area of Maharashtra.

“A few years ago, my younger brother Ashok and Miriam had come for a visit to our native place in Varad. Leo was a minister then and they were asked if …read more