The Federal President of the Republic of Austria awarded the Medal of Merit in Gold along with a citation to Rustom Jal Vakil for his services over the last 25 years as honorary chancellor of the Consulate General of Austria. The territorial post includes Maharashtra and other states of western India, notes an email received from consular officer Tamara Valladares. The function was held on December 12, 2016 at Gallops at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Bombay.
(Clockwise from l): Rustom Vakil, Georg Zehetner, Maulik Jasubhai
"The work involves keeping an eye on the welfare of visiting citizens of Austria, including assisting with funds when they have been victims of robbery. When someone dies, we help with the procedures and arrangements for sending the bodies back, such as when an Austrian national drowned in Goa. In another case a citizen was arrested on a drug charge, and we checked whether the conditions in which he was being held were humane,” Vakil revealed over the telephone. Earlier, the honorary consulate also issued visas, but that ended with the advent of the Schengen visa, he said. "The main area of involvement now is cultural. When Austrian musicians come here, we arrange for their hospitality and other requirements.” When Parsiana asked whether the honorary activity was fulfilling, Vakil, senior official of the Jasubhai Group, candidly shared: "It is interesting and a welcome change from what we do to earn a living!”
Vakil received the award at the hands of Georg Zehetner, charge d’affaires and acting head of mission at the Austrian embassy, on behalf of the Federal President. Zehetner congratulated the honorary chancellor for the good work done regarding Austria’s presence and positive image which has left a lasting impression in India. In his speech of acceptance Vakil expressed gratitude for the honor, and recounted the pleasure of his association with Austria as well as the privilege of being assigned this responsibility by the late honorary consul-general, Jasu Shah.
Maulik Jasubhai, consul-designate, also addressed the gathering that comprised members of the consular corps in Bombay, industrialists and well-wishers.