French Ambassador’s visit to Gujrat

The arrival of the French ambassador Dabouss Valliard on Mian Imran’s request turned out to be a very wholesome tour punctuated with festivity and fanfare which was witnessed at Mian Akbar House.

Thankfully enough, a day before he was to arrive, a meeting of all heads of the vitally important security agencies and other departments was convened at the worthy Deputy Commissioner’s office. A contingent of innumerable policemen, therefore, were assigned the duty which they had to perform as a foolproof security regimen to the last detail. This was a clean, flawless job which was highly impressive.

An exhibition of old relics was the highlight of different cultural activities thus arranged. The ambassador moseyed from one section to the other.

US Coast Guard launches probe into Titanic sub tragedy

For more such Opinions click here.

There was a folk singer who sang the juggni and played the mellifluous tunes on his handmade sittar. He played the sittar to the utter delight of the guests and the viewers that had thronged the place. Both the Ambassador and Sabine who is an education attachée, were exuberant. They both saw a local artisan playing with his two hands. This was the magic of clay artfully transforming it into a clay pot. They seemed enthralled while the singer played his tunes on his self-created sirangi.

He also went around looking, and enjoying himself during this he also sat on a traditional old four-legged charpoy, posing and puffing sheesha, the rustic style.

It was in fact a show of our Punjabi culture which bemused and had the viewers enthralled totally.

After a whirlwind tour, they headed out to the university where the vice chancellor had arranged a lecture of the ambassador followed by an interactive session with the students. He had to answer all questions posed by the very up-to-date students.

Sajid Sadpara, 23 others climb Nanga Parbat without oxygen support

Then after an hour-long session, they were driven back to the Gymkhana club. I as a member of the board of the Governors of the Kidney center had wished them to come and witness a presentation which along with other members we had arranged to make. They were first received by the honorable members there and were very swiftly escorted to the conference room. I welcomed them there and made a presentation to them bringing them to light the very purpose, the effort of the citizens in building and running the whole center correspondingly running it perpetually on a monthly basis. Dabouss Valliard was the chief guest, and Mian Imran was the guest of honour. There were the most honourable personalities present to welcome us. Prominent among them were Mian Ejaz, Asim Butt, Ch. Asghar, Nawaz Rehania, Dr. Gondal, Tariq Bilal Malik, and a few more respected personalities.

I highlighted the kind of work that is being executed. The periodical injection of a certain amount, and then the entire expense was all laid out before them. The ambassador spoke on his turn, he assured the house that he would do whatever that was possible in his power and capacity. Mian Imran as a guest of honour made a speech too, highlighting the role of the body and even thanked Safdar Virk, the Deputy Commissioner who is also the President of this Kidney Center for affording us an opportunity to hold a meeting at the club. Mian Ejaz later thanked the incoming guests followed by group photos.

SBP increases interest rate to record high of 22 percent

Finally, we left for Kinara, which is supposed to be a great resort and Mr. Khawar Rafique, of Royal Fan, and his son Umair had arranged a meeting of the fan Pottery and wood associations. So this was a mix of enterprising young men from across a wide spectrum of businesses.

The two of them, Dabouss and Sabine, were pretty engrossed in engaging themselves with those present there. They answered a volley of questions being thrown back to them. The boat tragedy off the coast of Greece was discussed. Highlighting the plight and misery of those who live in abject poverty, who risk their lives in search of greener pastures. Tragically we lose quite a considerable number successively at the hands of some very insensitive travel agents who are surely responsible for this doom and gloom scenario.

This is an interminable, chaotic event that goes on incessantly. Firstly the govt and the local representatives from the respective areas are responsible to provide food and shelter. I emphasized upon the government and the local representatives from their respective areas to provide food and shelter in lieu of the tragedies that have taken place.

I also suggested to the ambassador to collectively open up a technical training center wherein the local unskilled workers be provided with an opportunity to equip themselves with the essential tools of required learning under the auspices of the Pak-French conglomeration. This training programme with enhanced learning would do the trick.

For more such Opinions click here.

Acting President Sanjrani accords approval to Finance Bill 2023

This way the local industry will have skilled labour plus these certified workers, verified by the French authorities then could go and work beyond the borders of their home country. Mr. Khawar Rafique made his point very effectively. Umair Rafique, Ali Ansar Ghumman, and few others also took the floor and made very potent suggestions. The ambassador said he would like to connect these businessmen with those working in France. The meeting was followed by a high tea.

Very happily we saw the couple off. Let me tell you, we intend to invite more dignitaries to our city to bolster economic activity and to further an enhanced partnership of longer understanding, a bilateral. Our special thanks to our administration, to the Deputy Commissioner, the police forces, and the DPO for a smooth and a foolproof security arrangement that was provided without a glitch. Thank you all who have been involved in making their visit a successful one.