Lothar Matthaeus, the World Cup-winning German captain, was on the lips of the speakers at a recent reception to mark the Day of German Unity, held last month at the German consulate in Calcutta. The most capped German player of all time was in town 10 days before the event as the global ambassador of Bengal Super League. “Football truly is a universal language,” said German consul general Barbara Voss. “West Bengal mirrors Germany’s deep passion for football,” agreed chief guest Narayan Swaroop Nigam, the state health secretary.
Voss also wished India on what happened to be the Constitution Day. “A sovereign and strong Europe working closely with trusted partners, like India, is crucial for global stability,” she said.
She also underlined other spaces for mutual cooperation. “German companies are investing in India while Indian students are now the largest group of foreign students in Germany and contribute to our progress. We aim to ensure safe, legal and orderly migration because we are in dire need of talents coming to Germany,” the consul general said.
She also recalled that Germany was the focus country at The Kolkata Book Fair earlier in the year. The choice, she felt, “showcased our shared love for literature”.
After speaking of renewable energy and circular economy initiatives, Voss invited the guests to the upcoming annual Christmas market for a cause on December 13, describing it as “a fun event for the whole family”.
She ended her third Unity Day speech in Bengal in Bengali — “Apnader sobaike subhechchha. German wine ebong Bangali khabar er songe ekta sundar sondhya kamona kori. Dhonyobad.” Her effort was greeted with great applause.
The reception was taking place in the lush lawns of the consulate general and the slight nip in the evening air provided many with an excuse to raise glasses of German wine. Others had by then queued up at the phuchka and chaat counters. And once the colourful dance recital by Nrityadhara ended on stage, there was dinner with Schweinebraten (roast pork) for the non-vegetarians, while vegetarians binged on Kohrollen (cabbage rolls with rice and mushroom), Schnippelsuppe (vegetable broth) and German-style rustic mashed potatoes, other than a range of Indian dishes — all catered by the Taj group.
