CF India, to honour the work and support of the High Commissioner of India, H.E Gaitri Issar Kumar, held a special Farwell and Thank You Drinks Reception. The event celebrated the support and affection CF India and the diaspora had enjoyed from High Commissioner H.E Gaitri Ji.
Special guest speakers included the Health Secretary, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Minister for Small business & London Paul Scully MP, The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, Bob Blackman MP, David Simmonds MP.
CF India was also honoured with the special attendance of Akshata Murthy, wife of The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Present from the Conservative Friends of India were CF India Parliamentary Lord Rami Ranger CBE, Co-Chairs Cllr Reena Ranger OBE, Cllr Ameet Jogia MBE and Director Nayaz Qazi. CF India members came from the across country to say Thank you to the H.E Gaitri Issar Kumar.
The Health Secretary, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, spoke of the togetherness and close ties between UK and India and how the closer collaboration benefits the two great nations,their peoples and the world. The partnership between UK and India in developing and producing the Covid vaccination has helped to save countless lives globally. The support both UK and India gave to each other over the Pandemic was an example of the special relationship between India and the UK. The Health Secretary said on a personal note how delighted he was to have worked with the High Commissioner HE Gaitri Issar Kumaar and thanked the High Commissioner for helping forge the stronger links between our countries. The Health Secretary also applauded the work of CF India and thanked Co-Chairs Reena Ranger, Ameet Jogia and Director Nayaz Qazi for their ongoing efforts.
Parliamentary Vice-Chair of CF India Bob Blackman MP thanked the diaspora for enriching Britain, for their contribution to the UK and for support in public and civic life; their help in Harrow and across the country which has been phenomenal for the Conservative Party. Bob Blackman MP thanked the High Commissioner Gaitri Issar Kumar for working to bring both India and Britain even more closely together and to help develop and strengthen the Living Bridge. He looked forward to visiting India with the CF India delegation in the coming months; closing his address, he thanked The Conservative Friends of India and the Indian diaspora and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the immense efforts in furthering the India & UK Special relationship.
Parliamentary Vice-Chair of CF The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, spoke of how proud she was to put forward the accurate facts in relation to India in Parliament and looked forward to continuing to do, stating it was important that the one-sided rhetoric and comments by the Labour Party are responded to with the true facts and to share all the positive work and efforts of India for the benefit of its people and globally. India is the oldest democracy, and freedom and democracy are enshrined in its constitution.
Minister for London and Small Businesses and Parliamentary Vice-Chair of CF India Paul Scully MP spoke of the endless opportunities which now exist between Britain and India post-Brexit and the work to achieve the FTA between the UK and India was now a reality with the road map was in place to achieve this. He spoke of the synergy between the entrepreneurial spirit between both countries and how both SMEs & large businesses between the UK and India had the scope for further development and collaboration. Paul Scully MP spoke of how he enjoyed working with the High Commissioner HE Gaitri Issar Kumar. Paul Scully in closing, thanked team CF India and the diaspora for their support to the Conservative Party.
David Simmonds MP spoke of the significant contribution of the Indian diaspora and the opportunities that are developing between the UK and India. David thanked the High Commissioner for all the work and efforts to bring UK and India closer together in this new era of the UK and India special relationship. David also thanked the British Indian community and the Conservative Friends of India.
The High Commissioner of India HE Gaitri Issar Kumar, thanked all the guests who had taken the time to attend the Reception. The High Commissioner said how she was touched by the Farewell and Thank You Reception organised by The Conservative Friends of India. The High Commissioner spoke of how when she took office in London, it was at the time of the Pandemic and lockdown, making connections with Government, Ministers, and Conservative MPs all through zoom.
The High Commissioner thanked Lord Rami Ranger for always being there for the High Commissioner and for all his efforts past and present in bringing the Conservative Party closer to India and for standing up for the cause of India.
The High Commissioner said how delighted she was on the encouragement of Minister Negi of the High Commission to work with CFIN to achieve the optimum in building upon the India & UK relationship.Working with the Conservative Friends of India and Parliamentarians has helped the realisation of the complementary strengths between our economies and two people, which was identified by our two Prime Ministers in March 2020.
The High Commissioner spoke of how she accorded the highest priority to work with CFIN, the Conservative Friends of India. The wonderful team of Co-Chairs Cllr Reena Ranger and Cllr Ameet Jogia, and Director Nayaz Qazi, in working with the High Commissioner to share the true facts about India rather than filtered, incomplete and prejudiced information.
The High Commissioner spoke of the greatness of India, it being the largest and oldest democracy, with freedom of worship and equality for all. The idea of India is unity in its diversity. India’s central belief is that of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam that The World is One Family.
The High Commissioner concluded by saying that she will fondly look back at her time in the Indian Foreign Service and looks forward to meeting with the friends and acquaintances made back in Delhi. Closing with a special thank you to Lord Rami Ranger, Cllr Reena Ranger, Cllr Ameet Jogia and Nayaz Qazi.
Lord Ranger thanked the High Commissioner and paid tribute to the efforts of the High Commissioner HE GaitriJi, and spoke of their work to further the special relationship between the UK and India and how Lord Ranger, CF India and the diaspora with miss the HE Gaitriji.
Team CF India Cllr Reena Ranger OBE, Cllr Ameet Jogia MBE and Nayaz Qazi with Patron Lord Ranger presented a Thank You Plaque.
Lady Renu Ranger presented a bouquet to the High Commissioner
High Commissioner presented a bouquet to The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP
