A farewell reception was organised by the members of the community and wellwishers of Rohit Vadhwana (IFS), First Secretary at the High Commission of India in London and ABPL’s beloved columnist on 30 May at The Washington Mayfair Hotel. Vadhwana has been promoted as the Deputy High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Kenya.
CB Patel Publisher and Editor In Chief of Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar said, “Rohitbhai your outstanding contribution to the Indian community has been immense and is much appreciated. For that, you, and your wife Fehmida are held in high regard and much loved by the Indian community. Besides your diplomatic responsibilities, you are also a passionate and successful writer as well as a sought-after media columnist. The books written by you and your columns in leading publications in India and in Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar newsweeklies in the UK are highly acclaimed by readers worldwide. Your exemplary career and your several accomplishments are a clear reflection of your multifaceted talents and your resolute dedication and passion to truly break the glass ceiling. We express our heartfelt gratitude to you for being a friend, philosopher and guide. We wish you the very best in the journey ahead and every success in all your endeavours.”
The farewell was organised at the chairman of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Joginder Sanger’s hotel. CB Patel extended his gratitude towards Sanger’s wife Sunita, son Girish and daughter Rima whom he has known for over 50 years.
Surendra Patel (Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan) recited the “Rashtradoot Sanman” for Rohit Vadhwana, given by CB Patel and the Asian Voice-Gujarat Samachar family. Dr Nandakumar recited the special citation given by Ruchi Ghanshyam, Former High commissioner of India to the UK.
Lord Rami Ranger CBE said, “You have done your best job. You have paid tremendous respect to Mother India. I always believe that if you're not fit for a small job, you're not fit for a bigger job. You're in the creme de la creme service as IFS. You have demonstrated that your cut above the rest. Secondly, the way you have been promoted is another feather in the cap which is a very popular, very important, very sensitive country for India. We need to have an influence in Africa because the Chinese are muscling every day. So, therefore, they have selected you for the right cause. You are a credit to your team, community and country. We are very proud of you. I know you will reach the Indian diaspora in Kenya and connect them as Mr Modi does. Modiji has connected the children of India with mother India.”
Virendra Sharma MP said, “The influencing part of Rohitbhai is his intelligence and knowledge on different topics. He believes in delivering results. The values he has created here at the High Commission will certainly stay there also. We all wish to see you back here, not just to visit but to become, like everybody said, the High Commissioner.”
Lord Jitesh Gadhia said, “The reason why so many people are gathered here is just the authentic and genuine way in which Rohitbhai has conducted himself here during his tenure. I saw that first-hand, his 24X7 attentiveness and dedicated work, particularly during the oxygen crisis. It proves that prompt and dedicated actions can save the lives of thousands. We will miss you but you're going on to another territory where a lot of us are from India, East Africa and Kenya. It's an exciting time for the strengthening connection between India and Africa. And also, you're there as part of the United Nations, on one of the biggest topics of our moment, the environment. So, I think that this platform will take you to greater heights. In future years, we will definitely be anticipating your arrival here again on the topmost post.”
Alpesh Patel OBE said, “I think every individual who works at the high commission, embodies the country. Rohitbhai is known for incredibly hard work to make things happen. It's a reflection of our affection for India. When you think of the Indian Foreign Service, you do think of an effective response. Holding these standards and then taking them over to Kenya and hopefully coming back. I know if people like Rohitbhai on the other side were not there, the community couldn't have helped with the oxygen or the million other things.”
Kantibhai Nagda CEO, of Sangat Advice Centre, said, “Rohitbhai has brought the High Commission and the community together. He also published the fantastic newsletter which comes out every week, and gives us the side of what's going on in the Indian government and what he has to tell about the things that India promises.”
Anuj Chande, Partner and Head of South Asia Group, Grant Thornton UK LLP said, “I always look forward to Rohitbhai’s introspection every week. His columns in Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar are thought-provoking and meaningful. Secondly, without Rohitbhai, the work that we have been involved with FICCI would not have been possible.”
Rohit Vadhwana, First Secretary, Economic and Press & Info, High Commission of India said, “I am really overwhelmed with the love and respect that you have given me. On the professional front, I feel very satisfied. With the support of our lively community here, we at the High Commission were able to do our best. A strong bilateral relationship was not possible without this support. The Covid crisis was also very difficult for all of us. So many stranded Indians, tourists or strangers are stuck here. Our combined effort set an example of humanity.”
Vadhwana said, “When you say that behind every successful man there is a woman but currently two kind women are making me successful. On the professional front High Commissioner Mrs Gaitri Issar Kumar and on the social front my wife Fehmida. So, without the support, guidance and leadership of both of them, I could not have done what I always wanted to. I miss people because I make good friends. But still, I have some regret that I couldn’t meet you all more and more. I couldn’t have more occasions to be with you.”
Dr MN Nandakumar, Executive Director, The Bhavan offered prayer and said, “The world is one family. Let global thoughts come to us from every side. Just like the fragrance of a beautiful flower is taken everywhere by the wind, in the same way, the kind work of an individual is reaching out to people. Shri Rohit Vadhwana has done noble work for the betterment of the community.”
Madhur Kumar, MD, Chief Executive (European Operations) Bank of Baroda UK, Dr Param Shah FICCI Director, Subhash Thakrar, Solicitor Naynesh Desai, Shashi Vekaria, Velji Vekaria, Kapil Dudakia, Sharad Parikh, Jitu Patel, Subhash Patel, Vivek Saraogi, Hiral Shah, congratulated Rohit Vadhwana for his promotion as the Deputy High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Kenya and Deputy Permanent Representative of India in the UN Environment Agency and UN-Habitat.
