Farewell2

 

       Denpasar (Metrobali.com)-

In an elegant ceremony at Gedung Wiswa Sabha Utama on 27 July 2015, the Balinese community led by the Governor of Bali, Made Mangku Pastika and Ibu Ayu Pastika, along with the prominent members of the Indian community led by Ambassador of India to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, H.E. Mr. Gurjit Singh, and the members of the Bali Consular Corps, bid farewell to Mr. A.S. Takhi and Mrs. Gurinder Kaur Takhi, who are expected to depart Bali on their next assignment.

          Recalling the pivotal role played by A.S. Takhi in building bridges between the India & Bali, both Governor Pastika & Ambassador Gurjit Singh were effusive in their recognition and praise for the yeoman’s service by the first Consul General of India in Bali in raising the level of connectivity between peoples of both the countries. The Governor wished them well for their future endeavours. He was also appreciative of the role played by the Consul General Takhi & the Indian community in developing a harmonious and prosperous Bali. The Governor sang an evergreen Hindi song, the Bahasa Indonesia version of which has been popular all over Indonesia and of which the Governor is highly fond of, as he hummed the same during his youthful days.

The Ambassador acknowledged that Consul General Takhi has indeed carried out his mandate in remarkable manner not only in the island of Bali but also in several other provinces in eastern Indonesia. He particularly referred to the huge success of Sahabat India Festival held in different locations in eastern Indonesia and particularly in universities & schools in this region. The Ambassador thanked the Balinese community for their emphatic support to the Consul General and his team in strengthening the friendship between two countries.

Earlier, during his farewell address, Consul General Takhi conveyed his greetings to the Balinese community on the Galungan & Kuningan celebrations. He profusely thanked the Governor and his entire administration as well as the entire Balinese community for their consistent support and encouragement. He also expressed his thanks to the provincial & regional administrations across 15 provinces in eastern Indonesia covering the islands of Bali, Lombok, Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua, East & South Kalimantan which form the consular districts of the Consulate General of India in Bali. He appreciated the assistance received from the universities, schools, socio-cultural institutions, art & cultural personalities and the general public at large across eastern Indonesia, in a show of enormous goodwill for India, with which Indonesia shares civilizational relations.

Bali had record participation in the first International Day of Yoga celebrations held on June 21, 2015 & both Ambassador Gurjit Singh and Consul General A.S. Takhi conveyed their appreciation & thanks for the wholehearted support of the Balinese community to this excellent initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.

Governor Made Mangku Pastika and Ibu Ayu Pastika presented a sacred ‘Keris’ which brings good luck. Keris (dagger), is a short weapon used since more than 600 years ago. The dagger symbolizes resistance against evil spirit through protection of the gods. Philosophically Keris Bali is seen as a symbol of the value of the teachings of Hindu life. Keris is considered to possess magical powers and is a manifestation of the spirit of the ancestors. RED-MB