JEDDAH — Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, who is leaving the Kingdom on Friday at the end of his tenure, said he felt a little sorrow at not being able to fulfill three dreams. Talking to local Indian journalists on Sunday, he said a lot of efforts have been made toward realizing the dream projects consisting of a new campus for International Indian School (IISJ), permanent residential buildings for Haj pilgrims and permanent headquarters for the Indian Consulate. He said: “We were much ahead in achieving these goals, overcoming many hurdles. I hope these efforts would continue until I finish the task that I had initiated.” Replying to a question from Saudi Gazette, Kidwai said he has made several efforts to address pressing issues facing the community with regard to higher education and affordable education. He said: “In order to provide affordable quality education, we are keen to open international Indian schools in major cities in the western region and contacted the higher authorities, including Education Minister Prince Khaled Al-Faisal when he was the emir of Makkah, for this. “We have been informed that international schools would not be allowed within the periphery of Haram in Makkah and Madinah and hence efforts are on to get permission for schools outside the boundary of the Haram.” He said he would raise the issue again with the new Emir Prince Mishal Bin Abdullah before he leaves the Kingdom. Kidwai also drew attention to the efforts made to open offshore centers of Indian universities in the Kingdom. “The Kingdom has so far not given permission to any offshore centers as it is a policy matter. “I hope it is a matter of time that offshore campuses are opened to address the problem of higher education for expatriate children.” Replying to a question about the poor quality of service being provided by the agency outsourced for the passport, visa and attestation services, Kidwai confirmed the consulate has received several complaints about the agency. “Their performance is not satisfactory and they are allegedly charging unreasonable fees for some services. “We have already taken action against the agency but to no avail and therefore we are keen to give the outsourcing to a new agency that guarantees a much better service when the period of the existing contract ends.” Kidwai thanked both the Saudi and Indian media for extending full support to the consulate during his tenure. “The media has played a great role in creating a positive image about the consulate and its services, especially during the amnesty period. “The media should play a bigger role in exposing the true image of Saudi Arabia among the Indians here and back home to remove many stereotypes.” In his congratulations speech, Irshad Ahmed, consul for press, information and culture, said the success of teamwork under the leadership of Kidwai was what helped the consulate make the status correction drive during the recent amnesty for illegal workers a smooth and successful task. “Kidwai's personal supervision and involvement in tackling even minor challenges as well as his meticulous planning, motivation and guidance energized the entire consulate staff and even community leaders. “His motto of ‘I am doing and so you also do' with a presence at the deportation center from the early morning until late night helped thousands of poor people to complete their final exit procedures. “Kidwai stood like a mountain in helping people with a open heart and without any discrimination.” President of the Jeddah Indian Media Forum Sulfeekar Othai, who presided over the function hosted by the forum at Sea Gulls restaurant, presented a memento to Kidwai. General Secretary Shakir C.K. welcomed the gathering and Treasurer Sadiqali Thuvoor proposed the vote of thanks. Usman Irumpuzhi was the anchor at the function, which ended with a national anthem recited by children Kadeeja Safreena and Safwa.
