IT was, indeed, a befitting occasion for the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Shri A.R. Ghanashyam, whose sent forth programme took place at the India High Commission, Victoria Island on completion of his assignment in Nigeria.
The programme, which was sponsored by India Professionals Forum, India Cultural Association and Indian Women’s Association was attended by dignitaries, which included Head of Consular, High Commission of India, Lagos, Jagdeep Kapoor, Insurance professional and president, Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate, Pradeep Pahalwani, Group Finance Controller, Tower Aluminium (Nigeria) Plc. and immediate Past President, Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate, Ramesh Biswal, among others.
The President, Indian Professionals Forum, Vinod Kumar Garg, described Ghanashyam as a vast experienced ambassador whose simplicity, openness and accessibility gave him the strategy to establish strong business relationship between India and Nigeria.
“We have organised this programme today, which we call “non-resident’s day” to celebrate an icon with a track record.
“He is a vast experienced envoy, who has spent 40 years as an ambassador in eight countries including Nigeria.
“He is known for his openness, very practical in solving problems and has always made himself accessible to people, always addressing every issue brought to him succinctly from his heart.
“While his predecessors spent more years, he spent only two years because of his retirement age and within the short period established a very strong business relationship between Nigeria and India.”
Garg added that the interest of India and Nigeria was paramount in Ghanashyam’s mind, especially how to benefit both countries in the area of improvement of business opportunities.
In his remark, Ghanashyam said it would take him a book to write what transpired between his home country, India and Nigeria during his two years stay as the Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria.
“We had a trade-based as well as investment based relationship. I quite enjoyed my stay in Nigeria and I wish I could stay much longer. I only covered half of the country and if I would have my way, I would want to cover the entire nation,” he said.