Embassy of India hosts 6th lecture in the ‘Mandvi to Muscat’ Series

Muscat: Embassy of India in Oman hosted the 6th lecture in the ‘Mandvi to Muscat’ series, featuring Swagat Pani, an anthropologist and historian delivering a captivating lecture narrating the presence of the Indian Rupee in Oman and the Gulf Region.

Drawing from his extensive expertise, Pani delved into various facets, including British India Coins and Rupees in Oman, the history of the Maria Theresa Thaler, Rupees in biographies, the Rupee as a tool of emancipation, and the significance of the Gulf Rupee.

Using currency as a medium, he traced the history of contact between India and the Gulf region, in particular Oman and the influence of the Indian currencies historically in nurturing cultural exchanges between India and the Sultanate of Oman.

Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman welcomed the guests, expressing gratitude for their support and enthusiasm.

Reflecting on the success of the previous five lectures, he emphasized the lecture series’ significant role in deepening understanding and appreciation of the contributions made by the Indian diaspora to the India-Oman relationship.

The event also featured presentations by Amit Sampat, who delved into the rich history of the Naranjee Hirjee family tracing their roots to Mandvi, their journey as one of the prominent diaspora families from India in Oman and their successful integration with and contribution to the development of modern Oman.

Prominent Indian-origin Omani citizen Dr Akbar Rafay was the other speaker for the event, and shared poignant anecdotes from the life of his late father, Dr Syed Mohammed Rafay, who rendered distinguished service as the personal physician of late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimour and made pioneering contributions in the development of medical service in the Sultanate of Oman.

Adding a touch of artistic diplomacy, noted diaspora artist Sedunath Prabhakar presented the Ambassador with a painting depicting the milestone meeting of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik during the latter’s maiden State visit to India in December 2023.

This painting will be the latest part of the exhibition ‘India-Oman: A Political Journey’ that is on permanent display at the Embassy of India.

The ‘Mandvi to Muscat’ lecture series continues to serve as a platform for cultural exchange strengthening the longstanding people-to-people ties between India and Oman.