It was a free-wheeling conversation that ensued when Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, the ambassador of India to Japan, interacted with students of her alma mater, Women’s Christian College.
As the chief guest at the 99 year graduation day celebrations, the diplomat fielded questions ranging from her experiences in the Indian Foreign Service to the memories of her students days.
Talking about what drew her to the field, she said: “In the late 70’s, anything ‘foreign’ was extremely exciting. Moreover, I had a deep urge to make a difference, and by working for my people in places abroad, I felt I could do that. My stint as Ambassador to Qatar was deeply satisfying. In a country where there is a huge Indian population working in abject conditions, the Embassy is their only hope.”
A chemistry student who graduated in 1975, Ms. Wadhwa recalled some of her favourite places in the college. “I remember the canteen and its famous butter biscuits vividly. The space behind the trees that lined the Science block was another place we spent hours chatting after classes.”
On being asked what India and Japan can learn from each other, Ms. Wadhwa responded, “It is the economic ties that bring us together. India’s strength is its numbers – we have the second largest market and a young population. I think the work ethic and devotion to cleanliness that Japan has is something our country can definitely imbibe.”
