Kiwi Richard talks about life in India
GProminent NZ cricketers are often included in trade delegations because they are easily recognised and are highly regarded.
rey Power members met Richard White last month to hear about his posting to India. While Richard and family have a long-standing relationship with Whangamata, his recent retirement here soon turned into another new work environment and experience with his appointment as the new manager of the Whangamata Information Centre.
Richard was appointed as the New Zealand Trade Commissioner to India in 2012 and posted to the New Zealand compound in Sir Edmund Hillary St in New Delhi. It had been purpose built in 1980 to include diplomats, trade, immigration, education and tourism representatives and is beautifully landscaped, comfortable, secure and very well staffed.
For Richard and his wife, it was their first experience of having domestic staff, with the adjustment of having everything done for them proving difficult at times. The appointment was known as the “three stone posting” because the Indian cook worked on the premise that “corpulence” indicates being welllooked-after.
Another difficult adjustment was the devious and sometimes blatant corruption in every level of life, despite steps to stamp it out. New Zealanders going to India to trade were soon made aware of the “speed money” bribery that drove the business culture which is overladen with bureaucratic red-tape. Richard said that sadly the caste system remains alive despite it now being illegal.
“Cricket diplomacy” was another enlightenment for Richard, who fortunately is a cricket fan. Prominent NZ cricketers are often included in trade delegations because they are easily recognised and are highly regarded, if not revered, in India.
After four and a half years in this position Richard and his wife returned home, having loved and valued their time in India. They are very conscious of what Covid is doing to the country they hold such happy memories of and where they created life-long friendships.
Richard invited all the community to call in to meet him in his new position, and will happily share more stories of his experiences in India with you. Thank you for an introduction to it, Richard.
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