2) What geographic region do you cover; do you exclusively provide services for British Columbians?

(i) British Columbia, (ii) Alberta (iii) Saskatchewan, (iv) Northwest Territories, and (v) Yukon

3) What is your background; tell us a little bit about yourself?

I have had a career as a Foreign Service Officer who has already served in different capacities in Indian Missions in Lisbon, Phnom Penh, Chicago, Chittagong, apart from in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. I have a Master of Philosophy degree in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

4) What aspects of the Consulate of India do you want to educate the public about?

We provide different services to public such a as Visa, Passport, PIO, OCI, and Attestation as well as other consular services, and also provide information about trade with India. We celebrate our national days where the public is invited to attend. These are amongst a number of functions which we have. I would invite everybody to visit our website: www.cgivancouver.com

5) What is the most popular service the Consulate provides the public?

We provide visa service and the other services as mentioned earlier.

6) What changes if any, do you want to make to your office?

Depending on the feed back from the Indian community and others, who use our services, we will make changes as and when necessary.

7) What made you choose this career path?

Primarily it was to see different places and meet people from different countries. There is a certain pride in representing India.

8) What does your role as the Consul General of India entail?

To take stock of the services we provide to the community and improve it if possible based on the feed back of the community and to make contact with the leadership of the States under our jurisdiction to take our common agenda forward.

9) What is your take on the Indian community and its growth in Canada and specifically your jurisdiction?

We are proud of the achievements of the people of Indian origin in Western Canada who are occupying increasingly important and constructive roles in business, government, finance and culture. We consider them to be our assets and a bridge between the Canadian and Indian cultures. It will be my intention to work with them actively and vigorously to bring the two countries even closer.

10) What is your take on living in Canada; are you ready for a Canadian winter?

It is a beautiful country. With the experience of my posting in Chicago, I and my family are ready to face the Canadian winter which I understand may not be so difficult.