Abu Dhabi: A grand welcome accorded to new Ambassador Mr. T.P. Seetharam at I.S.C.

- Media Release

Abu Dhabi, Jan 22, 2014 :  India Social and Cultural Centre Abu Dhabi accorded a grad welcome to  His Excellency the Ambassador of India to UAE.  Mr. T.P. Seetharam at a reception held on 18th Jan 2014 at its premises attended by eminent personalities, guests and members of I.S.C.

HE Mr. Seetharam accorded a grand welcome by all the dignitaries and ISC Hon. President Mr. Thomas John, Hon. Gen. Secretary Mr. Satyababu and many other guests present on the occasion. Mr. Satyababu invited the ambassador to the dais along with patron Governor of I.S.C. Mr Muralidharan

 

 

Mr. Thomas John Hon. President ISC welcomed the ambassador Mr Seetharam & Madam Deepa Seetharam and Mr Muralidharan.  The ambassador was felicitated with a floral bouquet.  In his welcome speech Mr. Thomas said on behalf of India Social And Cultural Centre, I take great pleasure to welcome His Excellency Mr T P Seetharam  and Madam Deepa Seetharam to Abu Dhabi  and ISC in particular.

HE Ambassador Mr. T.P.Seetharam, has previously served as Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius. He has handled India’s bilateral relations with countries in Europe as well as the European Union in New Delhi as Additional Secretary, West Europe and as Joint Secretary Central Europe.

In Permanent Mission of India in Geneva, he was Minister (Disarmament) dealing with Conference on Disarmament.  He has worked as Deputy Chief of Mission in Bangkok (Thailand) and dealt with UNESCAP. He also served in Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh (Cambodia).  He was Press Secretary to President of India Mr. K.R. Narayanan. 

Ambassador Seetharam has considerable experience in Southern Africa having worked in Lusaka, Zambia and having helped open Indian offices in Windhoek, Namibia as well as in Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa.  A Chinese (Mandarin) speaking officer of 1980 batch, he was Director General of India- Taipei Association and has also worked in Indian Embassy in Beijing and Indian Commission in Hong Kong.

Ambassador Seetharam is married to Deepa and they have a son and a daughter.

Mr Thomas said  Sir even though you are only a few days here in Abu Dhabi People already start feeling your friendliness and unassuming nature and we are sure that with this caliber you will be a great success and accessible to the community members of all levels

“ On behalf of ISC I wish you a very successful and fruitful tenure and wish you  and your family a pleasant stay in Abu Dhabi. “

Mr Seetharam admiring the grand reception and atmosphere and a wonderful welcome ceremony responded wittingly and said that he is feeling very happy to serve here he is overwhelmed by welcome treat by ISC. He promised his cooperation at all times for any kind of service you expect from him and his team. He further said he was touched by the way this reception is held, wished all kind More than a thousand people, including Indian business representatives, gathered at the centre to welcome him.

He also urged the community not to overlook the welfare of Indian construction workers.  “We should not forget their contribution,” he said. “The government of India now pays attention to the welfare of overseas Indians. Particularly to those who are less fortunate than us. We look after the welfare of unskilled labourers who are part of our presence here.”

Mr. Seetharam paid tribute to the shared history of the UAE and India, and said bilateral relations date back to centuries ago. “When I met UAE officials, I told them how I grew up on the southern coast of India, called the Arabian Sea,” he said. “And every family in my village in Kerala has a member working in the Emirates or Gulf.  “This old traditional relationship has matured over a period of time. The Indian community’s contribution is paramount in making the UAE what it is today. It is extremely significant and is acknowledged by the people of the UAE.”

The ambassador said he and the Indian minister of external affairs, Salman Khurshid, met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, in New Delhi last month.

Mr Seetharam said Sheikh Abdullah made it clear that the UAE appreciated the contribution of the Indian expatriate community  as there are about 2.2 million Indians living in the UAE, the bilateral relationship goes beyond trade. He also urged Indian expatriates to voice their complaints and suggestions to him in person, saying he would meet them at any time.  “This kind of event is extremely important for cross-cultural interactions. It removes any room for confusion, misunderstanding and misinterpretation of what we do and why we do it,” said Mr Seetharam.

In response Mr. Thomas John said: “I have never seen such a humble and down-to-earth ambassador who is very accessible and supportive. I know him personally, as he belongs from a very respected family of Kerala,” said.

On the occasion, a momentum was presented to Mr Muralidharan for his community service he also spoke and wished great success to all.
A beautiful classical dance performed by kids thrilled the audience, delicious food served at end while having food, a live musical concert entertained gathering programme ended with light music with dance.