Meenu Malhotra Appointed as First Honorary Council of Newcastle
By Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami
Newcastle [England], August 31: Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, has appointed Meenu Malhotra as the first Honorary Council of Newcastle. This northernmost metropolitan borough of England will benefit from Malhotra’s extensive business and community relationships.
The Tyneside-based Malhotra Group, chaired by Meenu Malhotra, has a significant property portfolio in the region and commercial property developments in India. Doraiswami highlighted the importance of utilizing Malhotra’s energy and relationships to benefit both his business and the Indian community in the area.
Doraiswami explained, “An honorary consulate allows us to create what we might not be able to do in creating a full-fledged home team staff because the investment is a lot. And also there are limits to how many consulates we can have in a country. This is a fast, effective, and organic way of building relationships.”
Meenu Malhotra emphasized the potential for synergy between the north-east region of England and India. He stated, “The new India House will serve our community and will represent our High Commission in London. There is a huge scope of synergies between our region and India.”
He added, “All the people in the north-east of England no longer have to travel all the way to London. We will take care of all their needs and advisories. They are more than welcome to visit and connect with the office and we are here to bridge the gap which has existed for a long time.”
The announcement was made at an event held at the Hilton Gateshead Hotel in Newcastle, attended by prominent personalities such as Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman of Hero Enterprise, and Guy Opperman, former minister of Pensions, Employment, and Transport.
Doubts Revealed
Honorary Council -: An Honorary Council is a person who represents their country’s interests in a foreign city or region without being a full-time diplomat. They help build relationships and support their fellow citizens.
Newcastle -: Newcastle is a city in the north-east of England. It is known for its rich history, culture, and universities.
Indian High Commissioner -: The Indian High Commissioner is like an ambassador who represents India in another country. In this case, Vikram Doraiswami represents India in the United Kingdom.
Vikram Doraiswami -: Vikram Doraiswami is an Indian diplomat who works as the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He helps manage India’s relations with the UK.
Malhotra Group -: The Malhotra Group is a company based in Tyneside, England. It is involved in various businesses like healthcare, property, and leisure.
Hilton Gateshead Hotel -: The Hilton Gateshead Hotel is a well-known hotel in Gateshead, near Newcastle. It often hosts important events and meetings.
Sunil Kant Munjal -: Sunil Kant Munjal is a prominent Indian businessman. He is known for his work with the Hero Group, which makes motorcycles and bicycles.
Guy Opperman -: Guy Opperman is a British politician. He serves as a Member of Parliament (MP) and has roles in the UK government.