A charming reception

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

It might indeed sounds clichéd to say: 'Happy days are here again', but indeed, if the charming little reception hosted by His Excellency High Commissioner Pratap Singh and his wife, Mrs Prem Lata Singh, of India, last Sunday at their official residence, on the west lawns of India House, over there on East Kings House Road is a harbinger of the high commissioner's tour of duty, it would be indeed safe to say that happy days are indeed here again.

And why is that some may ask?

Well, the simple answer is that over the years, Kingston, like many world capitals has seen many high commissioners and/or ambassadors come and go. Indeed, this is the norm. What has not been the norm, however, is the manner of their arrival and departure.

Dears, for many a years now, many arrive quietly and then seek to meld into the existing social tapestry and social diplomatic hierarchy. While for others, this not being their preferred assignment, they simply arrive quietly, endure their tenure and leave even quieter than they arrive.

For the seasoned diplomats, however, one's arrival at a new posting is the start of a new and exciting period, one which is to be celebrated as the prospects for expanding the diplomatic and social spheres are endless. In this respect, one's arrival for a new posting is not a matter to be treated with indifference but with a degree of pomp and pageantry.

And so it is that with High Commissioner Pratap and Mrs Prem Lata Singh arrival, just under a month ago and as their first official outing, India's First Couple here hosted a 'Vin D Honneur', you know we are talking a high commissioner with a fabulous sense of style and decorum here and it does portend well for le circle diplomatique!

Dears, style is always welcomed and celebrated. Haute style, even more so and indeed by announcing his arrival here, with a 'Vin D Honneur' High Commissioner and Mrs Singh have signalled that indeed theirs will be a tenure marked by haute style, and that, my dears, is a welcome development.

And so it was, that last Sunday evening, the place to be was indeed India House, as the new high commissioner and his wife were not only presented to leading members of the Jamaican community, including members of the Indian community here, they were also presented to members of the diplomatic and consular corps by the DCM Anil Saxena.

Dears, it all made for a most charming outing as indeed, the evening was one rich in Indian culinary fare, flowing libations and truly elegant society.

And, no speeches or ceremony here either, as it was not that kind of an outing. This was a simply civilised outing in which the High commissioner and his wife took the time to walk the gardens and share words with their guests, after initially being presented to them upon arrival, and this made for a truly warm and beautiful evening. Among those out sharing in the occasion were: State Minister MP Julian Robinson; former Senator and Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne; Chief Justice Mrs Zaila McCalla and spouse William McCalla; Court of Appeal judge, Justice Mahadev Dukharan; Head of the EU delegation, Ambassador Paola Amadei; Russian Ambassador HE Vladimir Polenov; HE Ambassador Yesuo Takese of Japan; Canadian High Commissioner HE Robert Ready; Brazilian Ambassador HE Antonio DaCosta Silva; Nicaraguan Ambassador HE David McField McFeild; Panamanian Ambassador HE Jorge Constantine; Special Rep of the World Bank Rajeev Gopal and his lovely wife Mrs Monita Gopal; Professor The Hon Dr Errol Morrison and Dr Faye Morrison; Professor Edward and Mrs Sheila Baugh; Mrs Lois Sherwood; Jai Ramkissoon; the elegant Norma Harrack; Mrs Deepali Khajuria; Loku Ramchandani; Mrs Lakshmi Mansingh; Dr Akshai and Mrs Bunjan Mansingh; Dr Dhiru and Mrs Mercilyn Garg; Tarun Handa; Vinay Walia; Amitabh Sharma; and the lovely Bina Jaddusingh, plus a number of others.

Indeed, it was a charming outing all right and a simply fabulous opener for High Commissioner and Mrs Singh.