Remarks by Ambassador Sibi George
at the ‘Receptionto mark the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Lichtenstein;
September 7, 2018
Good Evening Everybody;Your Excellency Horst Schädler, Chancellor of the Liechtenstein Government, Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Members of the Indian Diaspora in Lichtenstein; Friends of India; Ladies & Gentlemen,
Let me begin by welcoming you all to this reception today. This is the first time that an Ambassador of India is hosting a reception in Lichtenstein. This is the first time that several of our friends in this most beautiful part of Europe is coming together to celebrate the Independence Day of India. I acknowledge the presence of the President of the University of Lichtenstein and other Friends of India from the University. I also acknowledge the presence of senior officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.
Today we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Principality of Lichtenstein. Today, it is my privilege to introduce a group of highly talented and renowned artists from India. Bharatanatyam troupehave travelled all the way from India to perform for us on this 25th anniversary celebrations.Today we are launching the Festival of India in Lichtenstein.
During the last six months, I met some of you in Vaduz and some of you in Switzerland. In fact, some of us have been meeting regularly at various events that the Embassy of India organized during the last few months. I have also been visiting different institutions inLichtenstein where I had the opportunity to interact with some of you. I recall the International Day of Yoga celebrations that we organized in Vaduz in June this year, with the participation of a large number of Yoga and Ayurveda enthusiasts. On that day we reconnected the Himalayas with Alps in Vaduz.
As a diplomat for the last over twenty five years I have been travelling all over the world. As a diplomat traveler one had several wake up mornings in different parts of the world and in different hotels. I recall with pleasure that some of the best wake up mornings I had was in Vaduz when I had the opportunity to wake up at Park Hotel Sonnehof, where I look forward to waking up tomorrow morning as well. I have learnt that a large number of Indian tourists visit Lichtenstein every year to enjoy the natural beauty of this country. I urge the citizens of Lichtenstein also to visit India and enjoy the traditions and culture of India.
I recall recent a conversation I had with a Management Student from one of the reputed universities. She asked me, Ambassador, to get a grip over India, its culture, its diversity, its values, its traditions, its cuisine, its music, its civilization, its costumes, how much time does one need to spent in India. My answer was simple, for one to get a grip of India one needs to spend a life time in India. If that is not possible, you could visit India for a few months, to get a taste of India. If that is also not possible join the India celebrations that we plan to organize in coming months and weeks. Please keep in contact with us through social media including our website, Facebook and twitter. I am happy to learn that some of our friends are working towards setting up a new India – Lichtenstein Friendship Association and an India- Lichtenstein Business Forum in coming months.
As a diplomat, I feel so proud to represent India, which is one of the oldest, largest and continuous civilization in the world. Today, it is world’s largest democracy and fastest growing large economy. I feel proud to represent a country which never invaded any country in her last 10,000 years of history and a country which is home to ‘Sanskrit’ which is the mother of all European languages and is the most suitable language for computer software. One feels so proud to represent a country where four world religions were born, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. A civilization which gifted the world withancient Vedas, Upanishads, Epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata and the Holy book of Bhagavat Gita. You feel so proud to represent a country where dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Manipuri and Mohiniyattam etc and several music forms originated and remain active today. I invite you to visit India and see for yourself its traditions and culture. We will bring some of these art forms to Lichtenstein in coming months.
You feel honored to represent a country which has over 1/6th of the population of the world. That means every sixth person in the world is an Indian, with a 1.3 billion population. A country which has over 30 million Indian diaspora abroad. This diaspora has branched out all over the world today. Well assimilated, it is studded with Nobel Laureates, Booker Prize winners, Emmy Awardees, distinguished physicians, engineers, businessmen, IT experts and Artists and spiritual leaders. The Indian diaspora wherever they are, have produced successful entrepreneurs, beloved educationists, astronauts, stars in every profession and good civic minded citizens. This diaspora is now nurturing a second and third generation that will surely outshine its parents, at the same time cherishing the fine traditions of India. Many of this diaspora in contributing towards bringing the peoples of their host country and India closer.
On August 15 this year on the same day that Lichtenstein celebrated its national day, India celebrated its 72nd independence day.Today, India is undergoing a profound transformation. We continue to be the fastest growing democracy in the world. We have a democratically mandated leadership striving to develop an economy driven by smart and sustainable cities, robust farm sector, vibrant manufacturing and dynamic service sector. And, its engines to run on world class network of rail, roads, airports and digital connectivity. In this transformed India, I see great opportunities for business houses here to engage India more deeply. India’s Flagship Programmes like Make in India, Smart Cities, Digital India, Swachh Bharat (Clean India), Startup India, Skill India and other initiatives are resonating well with several companies here. I invite the Lichtenstein companies to partner with Indian companies.
As I said earlier, this year is a special year for India – Lichtenstein relations. This is the 25th anniversary of establishment of our diplomatic relations. We are set to celebrate a Festival of India in several cities in Lichtenstein - connecting Himalayas with Alps. We are also celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year. I invite you to join us in our celebrations.
Thank you.
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