The High Commissioner of India in New Zealand, Sanjiv Kohli, received an emotional send-off from the seniors of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust earlier of Saturday, March 23.
Mr Kohli who will be finishing his tenure as the HC of India in New Zealand later next month expressed his joy being with the seniors and also his pain for leaving the Kiwi-Indian community for his next assignment overseas next month.
Bhartiya Samaj at regular intervals of the month conducts meetings and events for the seniors to participate in and engage in a family day event. The event on Saturday was also attended by Hon Consul of India Bhav Dhillon and High Commissioner of India Sanjiv Kohli who travelled to Auckland only to meet seniors of Bhartiya Samaj.
“We have met Mr Kohli in several other events in the past, but this was the first time he came to see us at Bhartiya Samaj,” a senior present at the event said.
Mr Kohli while addressing the seniors choked and paused for a moment and said it was a privilege for him to serve the Kiwi-Indians in this country.
Present at the event the senior citizens praised Mr Kohli’s work for them in the last three years and yearned if he could remain as their High Commissioner in New Zealand. This call was received with a mass request that echoed the love and respect for Mr Kohli.
The seniors also commended Mr Kohli’s efforts in establishing the much-needed consulate office in Auckland, given, a majority of Indians live in Auckland.
“Sir, thank you for giving us the Consulate Office in Auckland- this has made so many of our official works concerning the Indian government easier such as getting Power of Attorney documents, Life Certificate attested for which we community members had to travel to Wellington,” a senior present at the event said.
Bhartiya Samaj also offered Mr Kohli a souvenir as a token of appreciation on behalf of the senior members of the community organisation.
Mr Kohli thanked the senior members for supporting the Indian High Commission saying “when your issues are resolved, our work is done.”
“Thank you for helping us help you, and I thank you for allowing us to serve you and do our duty perfectly,” Mr Kohli concluded.
- Rizwan Mohammad
