By Mangala V. Shanbhag | PATTAYA MAIL |
It was nothing less than jubilation when the Honourable Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Thailand Her Excellency Mrs. Suchitra Durai met up with the Indians residing here in Pattaya on Dec 16.
H.E. Mrs. Suchitra Durai together with her husband, former ambassador R. Swaminathan, and her entourage met with the Sikh community at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sikh Temple where they were welcomed by Amrik Singh Kalra, president of the Thai Sikh Indian Community in Pattaya, and VP Paramjit Singh Ghogar. Her Excellency paid respects to the holy Guru Grant Sahib, the Sikh Holy Scripture and listened to the morning prayers.
Her Excellency spoke to the Sikh congregation expressing her happiness for having the opportunity to meet with them. The ambassador said that next year the Indian embassy was planning to mark the 550th anniversary of the birth of Sri Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism with ceremonies and festivities in Bangkok and Pattaya. At the same time 2019 also marks the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi which will also be marked by many traditional and colourful celebrations.
Later that afternoon a high tea was held at the Centara Grand Mirage where Her Excellency met with more than 100 members of the Indian community living and working in Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard.
See full report, entitled ‘Indian Ambassador conveys message of joy and hope to NRIs in Pattaya’ (Pattaya Mail, 21 Dec 2018), here.
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