Wonderful memories that will remain with us forever

Qatar has been second home to me and my family for the last over four years. Now that it is time to move on, let me recall our first memory when we arrived at the old Doha airport around 10pm on August 21, 2012 and were touched by the gracious gesture of HE the ambassador Ibrahim Yousuf Fakhroo, director, Department of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to welcome us at a late hour during Eid holidays. Fakhroo is truly a friend, philosopher and guide for all diplomats in Doha!
My embassy colleagues who had come to receive us have all left Doha one by one. The same is true of a part of the group of Indian community stalwarts who came to greet us that very hot and humid, but welcoming and friendly night.
I had the honour of presenting my credentials to His Highness the Emir (The Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent at that time) Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on September 25, 2012. It was most gracious of His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to give me an audience soon after his return from a foreign tour in October, 2012.
Having been part of many official meetings, the traditional Eid greetings and other ceremonies, I greatly admire the utmost graciousness of Qatar’s royal family. My wife is also carrying fond memories of Eid greetings with Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and visits to majlises of other lady dignitaries and friends.
My office has a plaque, mentioning the names and tenures of all ambassadors of India who have served in Qatar. I have never looked at it carefully until a few days back when I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had become the longest-serving Indian ambassador in Doha! I hope that my successor would surpass that record and serve in Qatar until FIFA 2022 when we certainly plan to re-visit this friendly, happening and great country!
Having given official messages of greetings to celebrate India’s National Days and to the Indian community fora and schools, and delivered so many speeches on so many occasions, I do not wish to go into official details of what has truly been a most eventful and fulfilling assignment for me. I would only say that it has been an honour and a pleasure to contribute to the increasing partnership between our two great countries, illustrated most notably by the visits of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to India in March, 2015 and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Qatar in June, 2016, besides a host of other significant developments.
I am humbled by the Sash of Merit presented to me by His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani at my audience with him, preceded by my call on His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani.
There are a myriad of wonderful memories of Qatar that we would always cherish. Qatar is a small country with large-hearted people. It is a very dynamic and important country. A country not only endowed with big resources but with a lofty aspiration and vision for its people.
 It has truly been an exciting and educative experience to frequently visit Qatar’s touristic attractions and iconic institutions – Souq Wakif; Museum of Islamic Art; Sheikh Faisal Museum; desert dunes and sealine beach; Katara; Qatar Foundation; Qatar Museums; Qatar National Convention Centre; Al Shaqab Centre; Pearl area; Aspire Complex; and Hamad International Airport, just to name a few. They symbolise Qatar’s centuries-old rich cultural heritage and phenomenal progress in diverse sectors in recent years.
It has also been rewarding to work in close partnership with some of these institutions, for example, the first ever “A Passage of India” festival organised by the Indian community at Museum of Islamic Art Park in November, 2013 (the third edition of this unique event was held again at the same venue in April, 2016) and then at Katara in March, 2015. I join the Indian community in renewing our sincere gratitude to Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani,, chairperson of Qatar Museums for her inspiration, guidance and support.
I wish to convey the same sentiments to our friends at Katara for their overwhelming support for so many events that have contributed to further strengthening the historic cultural bonds between India and Qatar and presenting India in a composite way to the residents of Qatar – “A Passage to India”; International Day of Yoga; performances of cultural and folk dance artistes from India and so on.
Our interactions in Qatar have not only been limited to the call of official responsibilities. We have been fortunate to have friendship and close associations with our gracious Qatari hosts at weddings, our homes and in other settings. We have also visited them to share their sorrow after the passing away of their dear ones.
While continuing my work until my last day in office today, I renew my sincere thanks to the government and people of Qatar, and the large, diverse, accomplished and highly-regarded Indian community for their overwhelming friendship, co-operation and support in the discharge of my duties. It has been an honour to contribute to the growing partnership between our two great countries and to serve the public.
My family joins me in sincerely thanking our gracious Qatari hosts and the vibrant Indian community for making our stay in Qatar so pleasant, successful and memorable. Wherever we are, our fondness, admiration and best wishes for Qatar will be ever lasting.

* Sanjiv Arora is the outgoing ambassador of India to Qatar.