Great people Great Memory

Yesterday Thursday 23 February, 2012 I was invited by H. E.  Pengiran Mustapa Aliuddin, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to attend his country’s 28^th National Day at Al Jahra Ball Room, JW Marriott Hotel during 1900-2100 hours.

I reached the hotel at 1850 and therefore I sat down in the hotel lobby for 10 minutes so that I do not step in before the time though Ambassador would be there to receive his invited guests but I have never ever clocked in before the time. However, someone very graceful looking and meticulously dressed up passed by and seeing me he came to me to talk to. I stood up and reciprocated to his greetings. He did recognize me though after many years but I despite my efforts simply could not place him. He introduced himself saying that he met me in Kuwait on some diplomatic functions like today some time in 2003 or 2004 when he was posted as Australian Ambassador in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and used to visit Kuwait as he was nonresident Ambassador of Australia in Kuwait.  I tender my unconditional apology in failing to recognize him but at the same time I recorded my utmost appreciation to remember and recognize such an ordinary person like me whom he had not met much but may be once or twice and that too as back as nine years or so.  This is his true greatness to be honest. He is H. E. Robert J Tyson, Australian Ambassador in Kuwait who has been posted here since November 2011. I told him that H. E. Dr Ralph King was 1^st Resident Ambassador of Australia in Kuwait for whom I had arranged a grand welcome at my house where his 6 colleague ambassadors greeted him at my house. We exchanged our cards and I had to ask for his mobile contact which was not published on the card. He without any reluctance gave me his mobile contact and we boarded the lift to land at Al Jahra where H. E. Pengrain was very much there to greet guests. I will pay a courtesy call on Australian Ambassador some days later when I am free.

It also reminds me of H. E. Shulan O Primavera who is Philippines Ambassador in Kuwait and who did win over his Australian colleague. Philippines ambassador met me last week October 2010 at the residence of H.E. Mag Marian A Wrba, Austrian Ambassador who had hosted a reception at his residence to mark his country’s National Day. H.E. Shulan is posted back as ambassador but after a gap of 13 years and it was really most unbelievable to hear that he could even remember me as Zedi which is a bit differently pronounced as compared to Zaidi but nevertheless it is very much rare for such a high ranking person not to forget a lower ranked person and that too from a different country in a foreign country. Normally people forget others which is quite but natural unless and until they had some equation etc.  For all 4 years when H.E. Shulan was posted earlier, we had met on most of the functions particularly diplomatic ones so one way or the other he could remember me. When a flag carrier lifts a person like me then the VIP is not lowered and instead I am elevated. God bless all those who honour me alike in Kuwait for over two decades.

This is nothing but fact that my entity keeps me glued to Kuwait though monetarily I do not have that much what others rightly posses but to me it is not the money but the entity which counts.  In 1986 when I was married (married Shireen 29 Jun1985) and working as Administration Manager with American company head quartered in Houston, company owner wished that instead of availing Kuwait-Lahore- Kuwait ticket I should pay extra money to route it as Kuwait-Houston-Kuwait so that I visit co head office and even meet Durdana who is US citizen and lives there in any case wither Salam bhai and Asif + Sofia. My employer even said that he will send me to some other companies too to see if I can work there otherwise I resume back in Kuwait. I thanked him a lot for his so kind gesture towards me but I flatly regretted. He was shocked to know that I am not going even for a visit. My simple question was if I will be able to invite any ambassador and diplomat at my house in Houston. I told him that I doubt any diplomat will fly from Washington DC (all embassies are there) to me in Houston. So why should I quit Kuwait where not only diplomats but ambassadors too come to my house. Boss asked me to join him on breakfast with Shireen to discuss the subject. Next morning we both were the guests of my employer at breakfast and he asked her what she has to say about it. Shireen said I cannot differ with him because he is my husband who has developed the habit to meet diplomats. Amererican company owner said. ‘ Zaidi people touch me feet asking for a visa for USA but very much surprisingly you are flatly refusing it.

68 Ambassadors of as many countries have been to my house till 2008 and I could not host any ambassadorial evening at my house since 2009 because Mahboola, the area I live in has been dug up and new rods are being laid up which I believe will take another year or so to complete otherwise my score had been 82 Ambassadors at my place and not just 68. Since 2000, I have stopped inviting other rank diplomats in any case. In addition to 68 Ambassadors, 8 Charge d’ Affairs of as many countries that do fly their national flag had been to my house. CDA present their credentials to Foreign Minister only and not to Head of State who honors none but Ambassadors but practically speaking CDA is an ambassador. I have never ever invited any CDA when I am inviting ambassadors. 42 diplomats of other ranks of as many countries have also been to my house. However, as and when I host any evening it will be graced by Ambassadors excluding CDA and Diplomat.

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With my honest and solemn prayers

Sincere Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait