India’s new consul general settles in

MEDICAL doctor Thelma John David assumed her position as consul general of the Republic of India in Durban last month. In her role, there is consular jurisdiction over KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the Eastern Cape.

David is the second female consul general in Durban after ambassador Vijaya Latha Reddy in 1994.

She is a career diplomat from the Indian Foreign Service with 13 years of experience in various missions.

This includes India’s diplomatic missions in China, the US and at the Centre for Contemporary China Studies in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, India.

David did her schooling in Holy Angels’ Convent in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and graduated in 2006 from the Christian Medical College Hospital in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

She is married to Sandeep Samuel David and has a 10-year-old son, Jayden John David.

David said it was an honour to be posted as India’s diplomatic representative at the consulate general of India.

“As I start my innings here in Durban, I recall the legacy of Bapuji, Mahatma Gandhiji, and the special historic connection between the people and communities of India and South Africa.

“I look forward to serving in South Africa in this post and endeavour to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our countries and our people,” said David.

She said it was a privilege to be in South Africa on August 15, as India celebrated its 75th year of independence.

“I welcome friends of India in South Africa to join us in these celebrations. As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’, I look forward to unfurling the Indian tricolour at India House (the official residence of the Indian consul general in Durban) on August 15.”

According to the Indian Express, a host of projects have been undertaken to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav; an initiative of the government of India to commemorate 75 years of independence.

One of them is the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, where every Indian is encouraged to hoist the tricolour at their home from August 13 to 15.

David also commended the Indo-African collaboration that resulted in the Azadi Ki Amrit Mahotsav Project in partnership with African Lotus and the Hindi Shiksha Sangh in South Africa.

“Among cultural collaborations undertaken during the pandemic, we are happy to see the warm responses to the melodious rendering of the several patriotic songs sung bilingually in Hindi and isiZulu.

“More popular songs will soon be released on social media. We look forward to engaging in more cultural and people to people collaborations that will enrich both our communities.”

David said she envisaged more in-person interactions with local community, businesses and NGOs to strengthen the relations between India and South Africa during her three-year tenure.

“As we all move forward from the Covid-19 pandemic, the consulate has been steadily and safely opening up to engage in more in-person activities.

‘After the 8th International Yoga Day at the Kingsmead Cricket Grounds in June, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre will restart in-person yoga sessions on August 18.”