Email to Michael Steiner, The German Ambassador to India, who is retiring in two days ( 25th June ) :
Michael and Eliese,
Michael would be retiring in 2 days time. On the occasion of his farewell party please request someone to read out the following statement to everyone :
Friends,
I regret I am unable to join you on this occasion as I am in California, and shall be returning only next month.
On this occasion I wish to say that Michael Steiner has been, in my opinion, the most outstanding of all the Ambassadors in India, and has endeared himself to the people of India, particularly the people of Delhi. So his departure will be a big loss to all of us.
Most Ambassadors usually do not mix much with the people of the country to which they are sent, but that way they do not get to know the culture of their host country.
Michael, and Eliese were not like that. They often mingled freely with Indians, even with poor people, and learnt about our culture. They heard Radhika Chopra singing beautiful Urdu ghazals. They participated in the Pongal Sankranti day function at my house, in which former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalaam was Chief Guest. Michael was Guest of Honour in the Sanskrit day function organized by India Heritage Foundation, in which Michael gave an excellent speech mentioning the great contributions Germans had made to Sanskrit. Michael was Guest of Honour in the National Press Day function 2 years back, in which he spoke on the freedom of the press in Germany. Many more such examples can be given.
Michael was deeply interested in bringing German technology to India, and in this respect he was a real friend of India, because it is only through modern technology that India can face its massive challenges and overcome poverty and its associated social evils.. For this purpose he organized visits of several German delegations to India, including one led by the German Foreign Minister Mr. Frank Walter Steinmeier, whom I had the privilege to meet in the German Embassy
Many Delhiites, including myself and many of my friends were delighted to be invited to the World Cup soccer matches shown on a big screen in the German Embassy in Chanakyapuri, where we also enjoyed excellent German wine and sausages.
To me, Michael and Eliese's departure will be a big personal loss. I do not know how it happened, but over the years Michael and I had become very close to each other. I used to tell him, in lighter vein, that he and I were both brothers in our previous life, who had been killed in the battle of Stalingrad, but have been reunited in this life.
As regards the beautiful Eliese, I told Michael that he had stolen her from me. I used to call her ' La Belle Dame Sans Merci ', after the famous poem of Keats, and addressed her as ' Your Divine Ladyship'. I often sent her Urdu poetry like offerings to a goddess.
Michael and Eliese, I will miss you both very much. Thank you for your kind invitation to visit you in Munich where you intend to settle down, but let us see whether I can avail of your hospitality
Justice Markandey Katju
Michael and Eliese,
Michael would be retiring in 2 days time. On the occasion of his farewell party please request someone to read out the following statement to everyone :
Friends,
I regret I am unable to join you on this occasion as I am in California, and shall be returning only next month.
On this occasion I wish to say that Michael Steiner has been, in my opinion, the most outstanding of all the Ambassadors in India, and has endeared himself to the people of India, particularly the people of Delhi. So his departure will be a big loss to all of us.
Most Ambassadors usually do not mix much with the people of the country to which they are sent, but that way they do not get to know the culture of their host country.
Michael, and Eliese were not like that. They often mingled freely with Indians, even with poor people, and learnt about our culture. They heard Radhika Chopra singing beautiful Urdu ghazals. They participated in the Pongal Sankranti day function at my house, in which former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalaam was Chief Guest. Michael was Guest of Honour in the Sanskrit day function organized by India Heritage Foundation, in which Michael gave an excellent speech mentioning the great contributions Germans had made to Sanskrit. Michael was Guest of Honour in the National Press Day function 2 years back, in which he spoke on the freedom of the press in Germany. Many more such examples can be given.
Michael was deeply interested in bringing German technology to India, and in this respect he was a real friend of India, because it is only through modern technology that India can face its massive challenges and overcome poverty and its associated social evils.. For this purpose he organized visits of several German delegations to India, including one led by the German Foreign Minister Mr. Frank Walter Steinmeier, whom I had the privilege to meet in the German Embassy
Many Delhiites, including myself and many of my friends were delighted to be invited to the World Cup soccer matches shown on a big screen in the German Embassy in Chanakyapuri, where we also enjoyed excellent German wine and sausages.
To me, Michael and Eliese's departure will be a big personal loss. I do not know how it happened, but over the years Michael and I had become very close to each other. I used to tell him, in lighter vein, that he and I were both brothers in our previous life, who had been killed in the battle of Stalingrad, but have been reunited in this life.
As regards the beautiful Eliese, I told Michael that he had stolen her from me. I used to call her ' La Belle Dame Sans Merci ', after the famous poem of Keats, and addressed her as ' Your Divine Ladyship'. I often sent her Urdu poetry like offerings to a goddess.
Michael and Eliese, I will miss you both very much. Thank you for your kind invitation to visit you in Munich where you intend to settle down, but let us see whether I can avail of your hospitality
Justice Markandey Katju
