The NLC Commonwealth Forum visits India
By Emily Robinson, Subbu Loganathan, and James Brown
Visiting India is always an incredible experience, and it was the first time visiting this country for most members of the NLC delegation. The NLC Commonwealth Forum visit, as with prior visits to Malta, Gibraltar and Cyprus, was an optimal mix of diplomatic, educational and cultural interactions. The delegation arrived in India with a lot of excitement (and a little trepidation at the navigating the world’s most populous democracy!). We are glad to report that we were received with warmth and hospitality at all points in India and fell in love with the culture and the people. The visit was a great success in furthering our shared economic, diplomatic, and social interests, with important follow throughs already being planned for a Sustainability Summit in Punjab next year, shared ventures in Agri-Tech and Fintech, and collaborations in science parks and between educational institutions in India and the UK.
Key diplomatic highlights of our visit included:
· Delhi: an excellent meeting & afternoon tea with His Excellency Sir Dominic Asquith, British High Commissioner to India, where we were treated with warm hospitality by the High Commissioner’s office and had a very nice chat on the current geo-political climate and the next steps in relations between India and the UK.
· Delhi: A very informative discussion with key members of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), including Mr. Wajahat Habibullah (Chair of CHRI Executive Committee) and two retired judges of the Indian Supreme Court.
· Chandigarh: Lunch with the governor of the Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, His Excellency Shri VPS Badnore at his residence, where Lord Diljit Rana was also in attendance as a member of the delegation.
· Chandigarh: Meeting & Briefing with Andrew Ayre, Deputy High Commissioner based at the British Consulate in Chandigarh
· Chandigarh: A visit to the Punjab Legislative Assembly, where we were hosted by the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition of the state of Punjab and were given a tour of the awe-inspiring Parliament Hall.
At the Punjab Assembly: His Excellency Lord Diljit Rana, the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Shri. Rana KP Singh, Commonwealth Forum Chair Mr Trevor Peel
The NLC Commonwealth Forum visit not only offered a great opportunity to explore and spend time in various parts of India, but also to interact and with her amazingly diverse people. We spent time in both Old and New Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, and Sanghol. The delegation continued to Shimla and some to Kerala.
NLC Members Anthony Pilkington and Jill Robinson take in a Tuk-Tuk ride around Old Delhi with our guide
As Asia’s largest wholesale spice market, one can tour the numerous sacks of turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, and hundreds more, however the air is so thick with spices, only a few minutes stay are possible without a proper face mask!
Other highlights of the day include a visit to Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, a Sikh temple where we were able to help make chapatis in the temple’s kitchen. The tour concluded with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and resting place of the second Mughal Emperor and great grandfather of Shah Jahan.
Khari Baoli - Asia's Largest Spice Market
No trip to India would be complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal – UNESCO World Heritage Site and, arguably, one of the most romantic gestures in history. Commissioned in 1632 and finished in 1653, was a dedication by Shah Jahan to his favorite wife, and mother of his 14 children, Mumtaz Mahal. On the banks of the Yamuna River, the white marble mausoleum is inlaid with precious and semi-precious gemstones and was truly a magnificent experience for the members of the Commonwealth Forum delegation on the visit.
The Commonwealth Forum Delegation visits the Taj Majal
Our Educational interactions included a visit to the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi) where we were given a tour of the excellent facilities and given a presentation by the children of the amazing charity, Vidya, a non-profit organization which has been helping the largely unlettered communities around Delhi to be empowered and become models for sustainability and prosperity to the rest of the country.
We ended the official part of our Delhi visit with the official NLC Commonwealth Forum reception where we gave thanks to the amazing hospitality we received from our hosts in Delhi.
Our visit to the Cordia Group of Educational Institutes at the invitation of Lord Rana, was a highlight on our visit to north to Sanghol and Chandigarh. We were taken on an extensive tour of the campus, met and interacted with many of the students and faculty, were treated to a fantastic lunch prepared by the students of the culinary department, and treated to an exciting program of song and dance from the drama and arts students. We were given such a warm welcome by everyone at the school, it made for an unforgettable day.
At the invitation of Lord Rana, The NLC Commonwealth Forum is welcomed by the Administration and Faculty of the Cordia Group of Educational Institutes in Sanghol
A group of talented Students perform for the NLC Commonwealth Forum Delegation
The day visit to Shimla witnessed a 5 car convey leave early in the morning from Chandigarh. The group was fortunate to have clear blue skies and as we climbed ever nearer to Shimla the views of the Himalayas became even more spectacular. There was an ever growing feeling that we were literally nearing the top of the world. The tour of the Viceroy’s Residency was historically memorable along with the walk through Mall Road. On our return a short stop at one of the mountain railway stations allowed some of the group to experience a short trip on that famous line. In the evening an exhausted but exhilarated group were able to co-host with Lord Rana a reception to thank all those who were involved in making the Punjab part of the trip so special.
The delegation returned to Delhi with some parting for a tour of Kerala; we returned to London with some unforgettable memories and a promise to return to this great country with her lovely people.
