Abu Dhabi: Indian expatriates do not need ‘connections or recommendations’ to get their work done at the Embassy and the Consulate General, the new Indian Ambassador to the UAE has said.
“There is a misconception that you need to know someone or should have connections if you want a job done. We are trying to change that misconception by being more accessible and transparent to the public,” T. P. Seetharam, Indian Ambassador to the UAE told XPRESS.
Both the missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will conduct ‘Open House’ every working day from 10am to 12 pm to give community members direct access to the embassy and the consulate general. During the Open House, community members can voice their concerns directly with diplomats and officials without prior appointments.
Till two years ago, Open House was conducted once in a month at the premises of the embassy and the Consulate General. But the redress system that was once hugely popular with the community died a slow death as the number of people availing of the opportunity gradually fell to nil.
But the new system that will have daily Open House sessions is expected to help large number of community members. “What we are effectively saying is no community member needs a prior appointment to meet any official who is dealing with their subject of concern – be it community related issues, consular, education or commercial. Anybody can walk in to the embassy or consulate during 10 am to 12pm, and they will be met by our officials,” said the ambassador.
“And when I say anybody, I mean you don’t need medals, badges, credentials or connections to meet the officials,” he added.
Community members have welcomed the decision to resume Open House on a daily basis. “It is great move that will bring every Indian citizens in Abu Dhabi closer to the embassy. The Open House will create a feeling among the common man that their embassy is there to hear them out, and offer assistance,” Thomas John, President of the India Social and Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi told XPRESS.
