indian
ambassador in
May 2015
A Special Supplement by Bahrain This Month
The Impressive Accomplishments of HE Dr Mohan Kumar and Mrs Mala Kumar
indianambassadorsupplement
FOREWORD As HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Indian Ambassador, prepares to leave Bahrain after a record four-and-a-half year tenure, I am happy to pay tribute to his dedicated efforts, perseverance and devotion which have led to a remarkable, historical and memorable assignment. He was instrumental in facilitating the historic visit to India by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and two visits by HRH Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince. He also welcomed Indian Minister for External Affairs and Overseas Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, to the Kingdom on her historic first engagement for the new government. HE Dr Mohan’s role in the community has marked him as a distinguished ambassador, getting actively involved in charity work and embracing the Indian community of different faiths joining in Eid celebrations with Muslims, Diwali and Holi with Hindus, Christmas and Easter with Christians and Baisakhi with Sikhs. His role has been greatly appreciated by Bahrainis and people of Indian origin alike. He and his wife Mala, who has ably supported him in his efforts, will be greatly missed. No doubt being selected as the next Indian Ambassador to France is a true testimony of the success of his mission to Bahrain. We warmly and sincerely wish both HE Dr Kumar his wife Mala the very best for the future.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
May 2015 1
indianambassadorsupplement
HE Dr. Mohan Kumar and Mrs. Mala Kumar
A Fond Farewell As HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Indian Ambassador, prepares to leave the island after a record-breaking four-and-half-year tenure, the official, and his wife Mala, chatted to Bahrain This Month about their time in the Kingdom.
2 May 2015
“I was Deputy Head of Mission in Paris when we heard we were coming to Bahrain and the reaction from was either ignorance, they didn’t know where Bahrain was, or those who had been here had only good things to say. Everyone who knew the island told us how lucky we were, and they were right,” says HE Dr Kumar. Mala Kumar agrees describing how they had to show people on a map where they were heading! In post during the political unrest of February 2011, HE Dr Kumar showed his mettle by establishing a 90-strong volunteer force which could reach Indians in the community to offer reassurance and keep them informed. He says: “It was a challenging time. Political assessment was needed to make the decision to pull together to get through this and I am glad I took that decision. Bahrain’s Foreign Minister was of immense support, he came to us and assured us Indians are safe in Bahrain and we communicated with him
throughout and with the Indians in the Kingdom through the volunteer network. “As an embassy we have a small staff for the size of the Indian community, which is Bahrain’s biggest expat group, so the volunteers were essential. They came to the embassy and we gave them information to take out to our people across the island such as those running cold stores in remote areas.” HE Dr Kumar’s concern for his countrymen has perhaps been most strongly demonstrated in his work in strengthening the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF), which he also calls his greatest achievement. He explains: “Most people don’t know that between 100 and 145 Indians die here each year, mostly in the workplace but there are around 25 to 30 suicides. When I came here I discovered that 80 per cent of them have no life insurance. They are often the only breadwinner and their families back home become destitute. “My first thing was to strengthen the ICRF to make www.bahrainthismonth.com
sure everybody who dies gets coverage. We’ve also established an open house system so that people can come and speak to the embassy’s labour councilor every day — it used to be just Fridays. “I would further like to see and electronic e-migrate system so that every worker who comes here from India would have a valid labour contract. “One important change the Indian Government has introduced since I’ve been here is that single women from India cannot come to the region to work unless they have a degree and a proper written contract. That’s brought down the number of illegal house maids and is a very welcome move.” Normally diplomats have expertise in the language or country to which they are assigned, for instance both Mr and Mrs Kumar are fluent French speakers, but prior to Bahrain HE Dr Kumar says his postings had been more intellectual and Bahrain was a great opportunity to be a more involved, hands-on ambassador. Regular postings are generally for three years but his extension was due, in part, to his success in securing a royal visit to his country by HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The diplomat explains: “I met His Majesty and I asked him ‘which part of India do you like?’ He said he had never been and I said I would like to make it happen. He agreed and said he would go! “A visit like that can take up to a year to organise, in this case it was about eight months, so my tenure was extended. “Then, of course, we had elections in India and every new government takes some time to get settled in and decide its diplomatic postings, so I was extended again and we were privileged to host the first visit of an Indian Foreign Minister to Bahrain in more than 30 years.” Mrs Kumar adds: “These visits and the fact that HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalif, the Crown Prince, has also visited India twice, with people from the business community, have made Indians feel that they are being recognised. “There were people who accompanied these trips who had been to India years ago and have now seen a whole different country.” HE Dr Kumar considers the extension to his time in Bahrain a bonus and feels his time here has been productive in many ways. “I think people have appreciated the events we have organised to showcase Indian culture and I believe we have helped to strengthen bilateral relations. “Trade between our two countries is currently standing at around USD2 billion and I believe this is an area where investment can be grown, though this is no longer really an area for diplomats and governments but rather for the private sector.” As they prepare to head off to the plum posting of Paris, having been instrumental in pushing for construction to finally start on the long-stalled new embassy building, the Kumars remember the highlights of their time in Bahrain fondly. “I think one of the best things for me has been forming www.bahrainthismonth.com
close relations with many of the interesting Bahraini women I’ve met here. They are highly successful businesswomen and very dynamic,” says Mala. “I’ve been extremely impressed with the Indian Ladies Association (of which she is Patron) and the Sneha organisation which does such great work with children with special needs. “I’ve had the chance to visit labour camps where workers will often open up to woman about their problems but would hesitate to come to the embassy for help. Getting involved with the charity work being done here has been highly rewarding. “I have also been involved in teaching Bahraini students for the IELTS English exam and with the Crown Prince Scholarship Programme where I interacted with some very bright Bahraini youth.” HE Dr Kumar says one of his own best experience was being welcomed into the places of worship of the four different religions of the Indian community in one day when he first arrived — a Muslim mosque, a Sikh gurdwara, a Hindu temple and a Christian church. He adds: “Bahrain is defined by its people who are open-minded, tolerant and welcoming to foreigners, which explains why expats love it and indeed it is ranked as one of the best places for expats in the region. It is amazing how the average Bahraini will open his heart and hearth to foreigners and make you feel at home!” And his parting message, as well as telling the island’s expat community that we should all appreciate this wonderful Kingdom we call home, is: “When I leave, I stop being India’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain but I would like to be Bahrain’s ambassador to the world at large — I want to tell the world what a great place this is.”
HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the Taj Mahal during his visit to India
May 2015 3
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Farewell Parties
Mala Kumar & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
After their four and a half years on the island, VIPs, friends and business associates organised several events to bid farewell to HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Indian Ambassador and wife Mala.
Mohammed Yateem, Ahmed Jawahary, Mohammed Dadabhai, Khalid Almoayyed, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, HE Zayed Alzayani, Minister of Industry & Commerce, HE William Roebuck, US Ambassador, HE Iain Lindsay, British Ambassador, Hassan Jarrar & Abdul Hameed Kooheji
Mohammed Dadabhai, Anisa, Mala & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Aziz & Ahmed
Abeer, Ahmed & Anisa
Shubha, Homa, Romina, Sherry & Mala
Aziz, Dr Tariq & Fahim
Kishore & Babu
Dheeptha, Shantharam, Asha, Mala & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Quraishi Dadabhai & Harish
Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa & Batul
Asha & Prakash
Usma & Afshan
Babu Kewalram & family
Mala & Asha with friends
4 May 2015
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bystander
Mala & Rashida
Wongjan, Leylan, Lillian, Rocio, Mala, Bridget, Anne, Tosin & Suwimol
Iro & Mala
Rashida Tadayon’s farewell
Mala & Heather
Vijay Boloor’s farewell
Panos, Anne, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala, George & Doris
Mariam, Roya, Iro, Mala, Mona, Jihan, Janan & Karina
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Anne & Mala
Ratna, Anne, Nor, Asha, Mala & Alison
Karina, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala & Anil
May 2015 5
indianambassadorsupplement Mohammed and Anisa Dadabhai with HE Dr Mohan and Mala Kumar
A Fitting Tribute APPLE SHARMA As the time approaches for the Indian Ambassador HE Dr Mohan Kumar to bid farewell to Bahrain, leading Bahraini businessman Mohammed Dadabhai chats to BTM about Dr Kumar’s tenure in the Kingdom.
6 May 2015
Mohammed and Anisa Dadabhai held a farewell gettogether for the Indian Ambassador HE Dr Mohan Kumar and his wife Mala Kumar at their residence. Important officials and dignitaries were invited to the soiree and Mohammad gave a glowing speech in Dr Kumar’s honour. “During his tenure of four and a half years, Mohan Kumar has played a huge role in building relations between Bahrain and India,” says Mohammed. “He was instrumental in organising a visit by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and two visits of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to India. He also arranged for India’s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj, the first senior cabinet minister after the new Modi government, to visit Bahrain. “We should give credit to him for his hard work and commitment in developing relations between the two countries. I have also seen him work particularly hard for the welfare of the Indian community.” Mohammad, who is also the chairman of the Bahrain India Society, feels HE Dr Kumar’s vision has always been very productive. “He has developed synergy between Bahrainis and Indians and I think, as a diplomat, in my opinion, he has probably been the best ambassador we have had so far,” says Mohammed. “He has set up procedures in place for the next ambassador who takes over. “I have no words to express my appreciation and I’m very sad that he is leaving. I think a person of his calibre will definitely go places and grow from strength to strength in his career.” Mohammed also praises HE Dr Kumar for not just doing a great job with the Indian community and in developing relations between the two countries, but also for being well connected with the Bahrain community.
With India’s new Modi government emphasising on economy, Mohammed believes that Dr Kumar suits the agenda of the Indian government perfectly, having met all the top leaders of the world. “The new government’s slogan ‘Make in India’ shows what India can offer and I feel ambassadors like Mohan Kumar will play a role because he himself is an economist and has got the right potential,” says Mohammed. “The ambassador is always the image of a country and I think today Indians, who are the largest expat community in the country, enjoy the fruit of the growth of the Bahrain economy. I think our leadership has been very kind and always appreciative of the efforts of the Indians and I think this relationship should grow more.” Mohammed has been working with Indian educational institutions (medical and engineering colleges) and his aim is to get sponsorship support for Bahraini students. “Bahrain needs Indian institutions and Mohan Kumar has played a big role in promoting what Bahrain can offer and, as a result, there have been a few good successful outcomes. He has always been passionate about the welfare of the Indians and the Bahrainis,” he says. Talking about the ambassador’s wife, Mala Kumar, Mohammed says: “Mala has had extremely cordial relationships with all the communities, especially the Bahraini community. She’s a charming lady and has definitely played a role in creating good public relations for the ambassador. “Wherever Mohan Kumar goes, I’m sure that he will perform well. As they say in cricket, ‘he’s one player who can play on any field’. I wish him all the very best and look forward to his bright future.” www.bahrainthismonth.com
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His Majesty King Hamad welcomed at Hotel Maurya by Mr. Chaddha, general manager of the hotel & Mala Kumar
A Tribute To An Ambassador A look back over four and a half years in Bahrain This Month with HE Dr Mohan Kumar, departing Indian Ambassador, and wife Mala. Mala & HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Indian Ambassador to Bahrain greets His Majesty King Hamad
HE Dr Mohan Kumar, HE Salman Khurshid & Mala Kumar
HE Abdulla Abdullatif, HE Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, HE Salman Khurshid & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Mala Kumar, HE E. Ahamed & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Mala Kumar, HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Omar Khurshid
Mridul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Gulf), HE Sunil Jain, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
HE Kuldeep Bharadwaj, Indian Ambassador, Algeria, Sandeep Kumar, Joint Secretary (WANA), Mala & HE Anil Trigunayat, Indian Ambassador, Libya
Ahlam, Shanthini, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Shaikha Hind, Mala Kumar & Meera
Vijay Baloor, Mohammed Kooheji, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, HE Abdul Nabi Al Sho’ala, Nabeel Ajoor & Yousuf Salahuddin
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Mathew Deakin, HE Dr Mohan & Mala Kumar
Abdullah Al Doseri, Hassan Jarrar & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
May 2015 7
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Padmanabham, Shailaja, Mala & HE Mohan Kumar
Mala, Irwin & Renuka
Mala, Younis & Ingrid
Kiran & Mala
Ron
Rashmi
Shubha & Raj
Dr Ravi Pillai & HE Mohan Kumar
Johanne & Andi
Mitesh, Ashalatha, Shantharam, Liz & HE Mohan Kumar
Dr Mansoor, Effat, Mala, HE Mohan Kumar, Rohit, Anita, Maria & Juzer
Best Wishes To Our Departing Indian Ambassador H E Dr Mohan Kumar
For more information please contact: Tel: +973 17220787/88/89
8 May 2015
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Shaikha Huda, Mala & Rashida
Mala & Shirley
Srijita
Mariam
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Mala & Shaikha Maram
Liliane, Mala & Jehan
Balqees
Amal, Mala & Rihana
Veronica, Vicky & Mary
Fareeda & Layla
Shandra, Huda, Shahrazad, Mala & Shohra
Mona & Mala
Dr Fakhriya, Mala & Ahlam
May 2015 9
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Shaikha Wesal, Bonnie Krajeski, Mala Kumar, Milena Padula & Bridget Lindsay
Shanthini, Smitha, Mala & Lathika
Reena, Mala, Sunada & Jayshree
Mala & Milena
10 May 2015
Mala & Vani
Mala, Anisa & Lynne
Florine & Mala
Mala, Anne, George & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
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HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala & Juzer Rupawala
George, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, HE Samira Rajab & Ronnie
Ajay Kumar, Mansoor Al Jamri & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Asha & Mala
Mala, Bonnie & Milena
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Bhagwan Asarpota
HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Ajay & Ashok
HE Dr Dhafer Al Umran & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Othman Sharif, HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Mala
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Gernot Taufmann
www.bahrainthismonth.com
May 2015 11
indianambassadorsupplement
A Job Well Done HE Dr Moham Kumar, Indian Ambassador, will shortly complete his term in Bahrain and tributes have been paid to the popular diplomat. Karim Ebrahim Al-Shakar, former Undersecretary for International Affairs, paid tribute to HE Dr Mohan Kumar, the departing Indian Ambassador, saying: “He was like a Maharaja in Bahrain because it has such a big Indian community. “He is very popular with the Indian community and has done an excellent job of developing and promoting amicable and friendly relations between our two countries. “To have been in post and responsible during three important royal visits is quite an achievement.” HE Dr Kumar is an ambassador who is noted not only for his diplomacy but also his business skills having been India’s chief negotiator at the World Trade Organisation and Mr Al-Shakar also spoke about their connection through United Nations work saying: “I co-operated with him when I was with international affairs and also when working with the United Nations and I found him very knowledgeable and skilled in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. “One of his most important roles in Bahrain has been looking towards sustainable economic development with Indians employed in the Economic Development Board and Bahrain Development Bank. “That Dr Kumar hosted the first overseas visit by the Modi government’s Foreign Minister shows the esteem he and Bahrain are
12 May 2015
Karim Ebrahim Al-Shakar and HE Dr Mohan Kumar
held in by New Delhi and this was an occasion that was very good for our international relations. “Our partnership has grown and been cemented by the hard work of Dr Kumar and his fingerprint is very firmly on the relations between our two countries. “He will be very much missed and I salute him on a job well done and wish him, of course, success for the future.”
www.bahrainthismonth.com
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HE Dr Mohan Kumar, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa & Mala Kumar
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Dr Dhafer Al Umran
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Ahmed Al Mannai
HE Abdulla Abdullatif, HE Sameera Rajab & HE Mohan Kumar with members of the diplomatic community at the cake-cutting ceremony
Yulia, Mala & Leylan
Ram Singh, Mala Kumar, HE Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla, & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Chandini, Mala, HE RKMA Rajakaruna, Sri Lankan Ambassador & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Andrew, Mala, Tosin & Liliane
Khalid Almoayed, Mala Kumar, HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Abdul Hameed Kooheji
Tomoko Sumi, Mala, HE Dr Mohan Kumar & HE Shigeki Sumi, Japanese Ambassador
Lynne, Abdulrahman, Mala, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Norma & Michael
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Uzma, Mala, Afshan & Mrs Gillitwala
HE Sabine Taufmann, German Ambassador & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
HE Christian Testot, French Ambassador & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Mala with Dr & Mrs Ravi Preet Singh
May 2015 13
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Shandra, Jano, Liliane, Souheil, Mala, Philip, Vicky, Marco, Rocio, Carmen, Liliane & Kiran
Huda, Mala & Janan
Mohammed Kooheji & Sons, Adel, Mala, Mona, Ahlam & Jawad Al Hawaj
Ahmed Jawahery, Mala, Homa & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Khalid Al Zayani
Mala, HE Dr Mohan Kumar & George Williams
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Mr Al Mannai
HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala Kumar, HE Sameera Rajab, Minister of State for Information Affairs, Shaikha Marwa bint Rashid Al Khalifa, HE Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa & Captain Mahmood Al Mahmood
Shaikha Aysha, Shaikha Huda, Mala & Doris
Rasha, Shaikha Haya, Saji, Mala & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
14 May 2015
Shaikha Hind with Mala & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Mala & Megha
Bonnie Krajeski, HE Shigeki Sumi, Japanese Ambassador, HE Thomas Krajeski, US Ambassador & Mala Kumar
Jacqueline, Beverley, Mala & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Zeina Testot, Mala & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Ashalatha, Mala & Shantharam
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bystander
HE Alberto Vecchi, Italian Ambassador, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala Kumar & Romina Vecchi
Mala, Qutub & Uzma
pApA g & Mala
HE Iain Lindsay, British Ambassador, Mala Kumar, Bridget Lindsay & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Jaap, Wendy, Mala, Leylan, Dogan & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Punnet, Neetha, Mala & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Sharon, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala & Irwin
Mala, Tomoko, Romina & Stephanie
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Raj & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Peter, Mala, Liz & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Qays, Karina, Mala & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Lynne, Mala, Shandra & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Renuka Ravindran, Dr Mustafa Al Sayed, HE Mohan Kumar, HE Sameera Rajab, Minister of State for Information Affairs & Mala Kumar
Nor Hayati & HE Ahmed Shahizan, Malaysian Ambassador
Mala & Kanika
Anne & pApA g rapping "An Ode To Mala-jiiii"
HE Mohamed Siraj, Jordanian Ambassador, Mala, Lana & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Mohammed Dadabhai
Jean, Veronique, Mala, Balqees, HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Khalid Almoayed
May 2015 15
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Mala Kumar & Shaikha Huda
Shaikha Layla, Karina, Mala, Rashida & Sameera
Mala & friends
Marie, Lynne, Mala, Mariam & Nadia
Mala Kumar, HE Abdul Nabi Al Sho'ala & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Dr Malhotra, Mala, Raj, Yagna & Yajur
Sofyan, Leylan, Muneera, Wendy & Jaap
16 May 2015
Homa, Mala & Shaikha Fajer
Shaikha Maha, Mala & Anisa
Leyla, Sherry, Mala & Nabila
Mona Almoayyed, Khalid Al Zayani, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Huda Al Saie & Adel Fakhro
Khalid & Balqees Almoayed with Mala
Rachana & Rajneesh
Mala Kumar & Kanika
HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Abdulrahman & Fazal
Back Seat Chat with HE Dr Mohan Kumar & George Middleton
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Khalid Zayani, Sana Al Zayani, Mohammed Dadabhai, Anisa Dadabhai, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala, Nadia, Fuad Kanoo, HE Christian Testot, French Ambassador & Zeina Testot
HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Hussain Tadayon & HE Abdul Nabi Al Sho'ala
Jano Mouawad ,Vicky Mouawad, Mala Kumar & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Huda, HE Sabine Taufmann, Karina, Mala, Rebab, Bonnie & Rashida
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Mala Kumar
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Mala & Anne
HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala Kumar, Neeta & Puneet
Meenakshi, Mala, Navneet, Radhika & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
Shantharam, HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Paddy
HE Sabine Taufmann, German Ambassador, Karina & Rebab
Mala & Ashalatha
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Sanjay
Ahmed Jawahery & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Gernot Taufmann
Priti, Mala, Lakshman & HE Dr Mohan Kumar
HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala, Sunita & Dilip
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Radhakrishna Pillai
HE Dr Mohan Kumar & Unnikrishnan
May 2015 17