“Oman has never been a home away from home but a home itself for I’ve lots of fond memories of my life here,” says the outgoing Nepal Ambassador Dr Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal.
Out of all the beauties of the Sultanate, the one which pulls her back is, undoubtedly, the people who have showered her with their distinguished hospitality.
“Indeed, the hospitality of my Omani friends is unmatchable. Time and again, I’ve been falling in love with the way they treated me through my tenure here,” Sarmila who is known as the ‘People’s Ambassador’ among the local community, said.
Dr Sarmila has been paying farewell calls to various high-ranking officials of the Sultanate as she is returning to Nepal on October 12, 2021, after completing her tour of duty.
Sayyid Badr al Busaidy, Foreign Minister hosted Dr Sarmila and her husband Bimal Dhakal, on October 7, 2021, where the Minister expressed his happiness over the successful completion of the tenure of her as the first Ambassador of Nepal to the Sultanate of Oman.
“We hope that Dr Sarmila’s endeavour over the past few years would help further to strengthen government to government and people to people relation between the two countries,” Sayyid Badr al Busaidy said.
The Minister and the Ambassador had a cordial conversation pertinent to bilateral relations existing since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Minister praised her efforts in introducing Nepal by organising various activities among Omanis and making them understand what Nepal is all about. The Minister expressed his hope that the Ambassador’s legacy would be carried forward by her successor.
Shaikh Khalifa al Harthy, Under-Secretary for Diplomatic Affairs of the Foreign Ministry and Dr Khalid bin Saeed al Jaradi, Head of the Protocol Department at the Foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs too praised her efforts in enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Dr Sarmila was hosted by the Foreign Ministry which was also attended by Resident Ambassadors from various countries to the Sultanate and officials from the Ministry who joined the luncheon.
Members of the Nepalese Social Club hosted the ambassador a farewell ceremony at the Intercontinental Hotel in October 30, followed by an emotional farewell hosted by the Nepal Embassy in Oman.
Haitham Mohammed Rafi, renowned Omani singer attended the gathering which saw several representatives of various Nepali communities appreciating her efforts as a diplomat and above all, her initiatives as a true humanist.
Members of various communities, social workers, media and local personalities hosted the Ambassador of Nepal who has been instrumental in a gamut of MoU’s (Memorandum of Understanding) between the two countries.
“I may be away from the Sultanate but this country will forever be remembered not only for its geographical charm but for the simplest of human beings,” Dr Sarmila concluded.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
