Media Release
Abu Dhabi, Aug 13: A farewell reception for Indian ambassador to UAE, T P Seetharam and Deepa Seetharam was held at India Social & Cultural Centre (ISC), here on August 11. Seetharam retires on August 31 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 over 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 he 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 his 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 artistes in UAE and to organize several art events under the aegis of Art at India House, Abu Dhabi were also remembered.
The ambassador in his reply, thanked his team members in the Indian Embassy, Abu Dhabi as well as the Consulate in Dubai for all the achievements and their support in effectively delivering his duties. He has also expressed his sincere gratitude to the gathering for their love and affection extended to him and his family. Seetharam also recollected the major achievements during his tenure and thanked the rulers of 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 V T V 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 Bearys welfare forum represented by Mohamed Ali.
Vote of thanks was proposed by the ISC vice president Rajan Zakaria.