Is it more than just puppy love for British envoy Caroline Rowett?

Chandigarh, July 24 (NationPress) It was about much more than mere puppy love for Caroline Rowett, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Chandigarh. Upon her arrival for her assignment in February 2021, she never anticipated that she would form an unbreakable bond with two local street dogs. As her tenure nears its conclusion and she prepares to return to London after four and a half years, she is ensuring her beloved furry companions won't be left behind. They will accompany her back home to reunite with her husband and daughter.

In her heartfelt farewell address, she expressed the difficulty of parting ways with India but found solace in the joy of reuniting with her family—now enriched by the presence of two dogs.

The street dogs are affectionately named 'Shimla' and 'Sula', a female and male respectively. Shimla’s name pays homage to the picturesque tourist destination referred to as the 'Queen of Hills' during the British colonial era, while Sula reflects her fondness for the renowned Indian wine.

Caroline remarked on the UK's investments in the area, highlighting a new agro-industry initiative in Kullu and a Scottish distillery's establishment in India, emphasizing the growing economic ties between the UK and Himachal Pradesh.

She discovered one of her dogs in the parking lot of the Hyatt Regency in 2021, while the other was found within the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) complex in Sector 10. Both dogs are now between four and five years old.

Before their journey abroad, Caroline ensured both pets were microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. “The microchipping and vaccination process took nearly eight months, and we prepared special cages for their safe travel,” Rajinder Nagarkoti, Political, Press and Projects Adviser for the UK government, informed IANS.

According to Vipan Rana, the UK government's Protocol Officer, he found Sula on the street suffering from a severe skin condition. Upon describing the situation to Caroline, she immediately chose to adopt the pup.

Caroline has served as a representative for Britain across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh.

During her trip to Kullu-Manali in June, she engaged with various stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sectors, including hoteliers, tour operators, and skiers, to explore potential collaboration avenues.

The UK delegation also met with local artisans involved in creating traditional Himachali handicrafts.

In light of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signing, a pivotal move to strengthen bilateral economic relations, the Deputy High Commissioner stated, “This deal is anticipated to boost bilateral trade, projected to reach £43 billion by 2024, increasing by £25.5 billion, enhancing UK GDP by £4.8 billion, and raising wages by £2.2 billion annually in the long term.”

The existing UK-India investment partnership supports over 600,000 jobs in both nations. As of 2024, there are more than 950 Indian firms operating in the UK and over 650 British businesses in India.

For Caroline, who cherishes her time in Chandigarh, known as the 'City Beautiful', initiating direct flights from the city to London is on her agenda.

In Haryana, she mentioned the establishment of a centre of excellence for post-harvest cold chain management. “This will be the UK’s first centre of excellence in India, primarily aimed at reducing food waste and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. It will be located in Panchkula,” she elaborated.

“I’ve traveled to Mussoorie, Dehradun, Dharamsala, Shimla, Kasauli, Ambala, and Ferozepur, tracing British connections,” the delighted envoy remarked.

In her upcoming assignment, she will work in the London office with responsibilities involving India.

A notable success during her tenure is the pilot project “Visa Fraud Ton Bacho (Beware of Visa Fraud)” launched in Jalandhar, Punjab, aimed at protecting Indians from the dangers of visa fraud and irregular migration.

“The initiative has significantly increased our public engagement, allowing us to connect directly with community leaders and help many aspirations, preventing exploitation as too many fall prey to visa fraud,” she stated.

She believes her connection with North India will forever hold a cherished place in her heart as she participated in private weddings, interacted with numerous individuals at various levels, and savored traditional street foods like the renowned ‘Amritsari Kulcha' and 'Chhole', all contributing to a perfect recipe for a memorable farewell.

Additionally, she explored the vibrant Punjabi culture, heritage, and flavors while wandering through Amritsar’s historic lanes filled with magnificent heritage.

The envoy was particularly impressed with the Golden Temple, home to the world's largest kitchen, where an average of 50,000 to 75,000 people are served free, fresh vegetarian meals around the clock.

One of Caroline’s admirers humorously noted, “While many people are lining up to pay hefty sums to travel agents and even risking treacherous routes in their desperation to migrate abroad, these two have secured air tickets and a British escort—thanks to a bond that requires no visa.”

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)