THE Indian High Commission in Dar es Salaam is embarking on a marathon run of cross-country consular camps.

Bishwadip Dey, the high commissioner, said here over the weekend that the diplomatic mission expects to organize up to six consular camps annually to engage parts of the communities having significant interests in the south Asian country.

The incoming envoy said that as he takes up his duties, he “intends to travel across various regions and engage more proactively with local residents,” to bring the diplomatic mission closer to Tanzanians and the Indian Diaspora outside Dar es Salaam.

At the Indian Cultural night of Kalakendra, the envoy said that the first such consular camp shall be organized in Tanga next month, with the Kalakendra night cultural performance tying up with the 78th anniversary of Indian independence.

The night was first observed in Dar es Salaam, followed by Arusha and expected to be staged in Zanzibar as well, he said, in the presence of Emmanuela Kaganda, the Arumeru district commissioner who graced the occasion.

The DC said that apart from the usual trade and commercial cooperation, India has remained the most reliable partner for local higher education aspirations

There are thousands of young Tanzanians studying in India by private arrangements, in addition to a big number of others obtaining scholarships extended by the Indian authorities, she stated.

India has been at forefront in assisting Tanzania in the field of medicine, she stated, with Kalakendra events coordinator in Arusha, Jayesh Chandra noting the Indian Cultural Association in the region engaged in humanitarian projects to mark the anniversary.

 “As part of our charity activities, this year we built a kitchen for Olorien primary school which, holding 850 pupils,” he said, projecting similar project for a needy school in consultation with the authorities next year.

The India Cultural Centre, apart from promoting cultural exchanges, has been assisting hundreds of people in acquiring visas as overseas citizens of India, passport renewals and other consular services, he said.

The centre worked with the High Commission to organize a consular camp, the International Day of Yoga, aided in a business symposium and aptitude test for aspirants to study at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

The first IIT overseas campus based in Madras was inaugurated in Zanzibar back in November, as well as water projects funded by the Indian Line of Credit (LOC) also inaugurated in Zanzibar.

High Commission officials share expertise with local associates tied with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programmes, the envoy added