Swiss Consul General in Mumbai His Excellency Othmar Hardegger has concluded a tenure of four years. He is on his way to his new destination. He was kind enough to give some time despite his hectic schedule to Mewati Sitaram, Editor-in-Chief of Mumbai Messenger Newspaper. He shares his views on his successful journey. Excerpt.
How was your journey being a Consul General in Mumbai and Western India?
It was a real privilege to live and work in Mumbai and to experience the rich culture, traditions and history of India. My wife and I had a wonderful time here. Mumbaikars are very warm and welcoming. We felt at home right from the beginning. Mumbai is a vibrant and fascinating city which becomes more and more interesting the longer you stay. I have by far not seen enough of India and look forward to being back soon.
How did you handle the Pandemic challenge?
Indeed! Pandemic was a real challenge for everyone and had to be handled with extraordinary precautions. We faced a couple of challenges in particular during the strict lockdown. But luckily, we were able to solve them appropriately. We repatriated the Swiss tourists who were stuck here with chartered flights back home. We supported Swiss companies in this difficult situation. We are thankful to the support of the City of Mumbai. We were able to get the early vaccination to protect the staff of the Consulate General and their families.
What’s your message to Indian people?
Mumbai is a vibrant city and I am deeply thankful for the warm welcome and hospitality we enjoyed in Mumbai and everywhere I travelled in India. I am always touched by the sentiment that the Switzerland has a special place in the hearts of the people of India. I wish that Indians keep on visiting Switzerland. The people to people connect is an important pillar of the 75 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. So, please stay connected with Switzerland and visit untapped destinations as Switzerland has a lot more to offer.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
