21 February 2005
Indian High Commissioner visits University
Photo opportunity 5.45pm, Tuesday 22 February, Tower Foyer, Tower Building, University of
Dundee.
Dundee's relationship with India will be reaffirmed tomorrow (Tuesday 22 February) as the Indian
High Commissioner visits the University of Dundee to learn more about the city's historical
relationship with his country.
Mr Kamalesh Sharma will open an exhibition and attend a special lecture by Professor Chris Whatley
to illustrate and explain Dundee's former industrial links with India. The event called "Dundee
and India roots, rivalry and interdependence" will take place in the University Tower Building.
Mr Sharma will meet University Principal Sir Alan Langlands and Indian staff and students. He will
officially open the exhibition especially curated for his visit by cutting a ribbon of tartan and
twine. After the lecture and exhibition, Mr Sharma will be taken to Verdant Works and given a tour
of the jute mill.
The University of Dundee is a popular choice for Indian postgraduate students. Nearly 50 Indian
students started courses in September 2004 in civil engineering, international business and
orthopaedics.
Dean of Arts Professor Chris Whatley will explain the city's long relationship with India dating
back to the late eighteenth century when a large number of ship captains serving with the East
India Company were Dundonians.
Professor Chris Whatley: "Dundonians modernised India's jute industry. The industrial relationship
started when flax became too expensive and Dundee turned to India for jute. At one point in
Calcutta, the majority of mill managers were Dundonians. Mill machinery from Dundee such as shafts
and girders were shipped out to India in vast quantities and Dundee's technical institute provided
training for mill managers."
The exhibition showing Michael Peto's photographs of India from the University collection will be
on display in the Tower foyer alongside a book of reports by Patrick Geddes on town planning in
India from his visits in 1915.
The University of Dundee hosted a visit from the Vice Chancellor of the University of Alahabad and
the Indian consul in November 2004 which established links and led to the High Commissioner's visit.
Mr. Sharma the High Commissioner has served in the Indian Foreign Service since 1965. He has held
several ambassadorial positions as well as senior positions within the ministries of the Government
of India. He is currently the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in New York.
Previously, he served as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva,
Ambassador to the German Democratic Republic, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, head of the Divisions of
Economic Relations, International Organisations and Policy Planning, Indian Foreign Office, and
Head of Division in the Ministry of Finance of the Government of India.
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk | 
