ISC organizes farewell reception to H.E. T P Seetharam

Abu Dhabi: A farewell reception for Indian Ambassador to UAE H.E TP Seetharam and Deepa Seetharam was held at India Social and Cultural Centre (ISC), Abu Dhabi on August 11, 2016, who is retiring on August 31, 2016 after 36 years of illustrious diplomatic service in various countries. The farewell was jointly organized by ISC, Abu Dhabi Malayalee Samajam, Kerala Social Centre, Indian Islamic Centre and Indian Ladies Association. Over 800 people attended the grand function.

The meeting was presided by ISC president Thomas Varghese. General Secretary John Varghese welcomed the gathering. MD and Chairman of Lulu Group and Chairman of ISC board of Directors, Padmasri Dr Youssuf Ali M. A delivered the keynote address.

Felicitation speeches were delivered by P Padmanabhan (President of KSC), Yesuseelan (President of ADMS), Sunita Waghle (President of ILA) and Usman Karapat (Acting President Indian Islahi Centre). Mementos were presented by all the registered associations.

The speakers hailed the contributions and the achievements of the Ambassador and reiterated that His Excellency was indeed a common man’s Ambassador. The effective usage of his esteemed office for the benefit of the Indian Diaspora in UAE and the Excellency’s remarkable contributions towards fostering the age old Indo-UAE cultural and political ties has been acknowledged. Deepa Seetharam’s efforts in initiating the concept to promote the Indian Artists in UAE and to organize several Art events under the aegis of Art at India House at Abu Dhabi were also remembered.

His Excellency during the return speech thanked his team members in Indian Embassy, Abu Dhabi as well as the Consulate in Dubai for all the achievements and their support in effectively delivering his duties. Excellency has also expressed his sincere gratitude to the gathering for their love and affection extended to him and his family. His Excellency also recollected the major achievements during his tenure and thanked the rulers of the Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other Emirates for their cordial relations and supports.

Mementos were also presented to the Ambassador by Gandhi Sahitya Vedi represented by VTV Damodaran, NSS Abu Dhabi represented by Shaji Kumar, Ananthapuram Non Residents Association (Anora) represented by M.I. Shujahi, Tamil Makkal Mandram represented by Sivakumar and Bearya welfare forum represented by Mohamed Ali.

The vote of thanks was proposed by the ISC Vice President Rajan Zakaria.