Mr. Michael Siebert, German Consul General, recently honoured Mr. Om Prakash, Director, In ORBIT Tours Pvt. Ltd., and presented him a special Award for his outstanding contribution for promotion of business and leisure travel to Germany for over four decades.
On the occasion, Mr. Michael Siebert said that he was extremely happy to honour Mr. Om Prakash for his passion for Germany for over 40 years. It is a rare example of dedication that has contributed for the development of Indo-German economic relations. He urged Mr. Om Prakash to continue his mission, and wished him all success.
Earlier, Mr. Hector Dsouza, Director – India, SouthWest German Tourism, presented a detailed account of Mr. Om Prakash’s dedicated journey of 43 years since 1972 (his first visit to Germany). His contribution has helped Indian businessmen and leisure travellers to experience the treasures of Germany, particularly of the Stuttgart region and the State of Baden Wurttemberg, the most technologically advanced among the German States. The phenomenal increase in the number of Indian visitors to SouthWest Germany of late is particularly noteworthy.
In his address, Mr. Om Prakash expressed his gratitude to the German authorities for the honour done to him, and assured them that he would continue his dedicated service in the interest of both countries.
He also narrated the brief account of his journey of over four decades, and recalled the difficulties he faced in the 1970s and 1980s to promote Germany as a tourist spot when India was passing through an acute shortage of foreign exchange and the stringent rules to obtain foreign exchange for travel abroad were in force.
The much-discussed “Make in India” slogan of the Government was actually activated by him many years ago when the industry visitors to German trade fairs subsequently converted themselves into projectors of Indian products to the world at large, he added.
Mr. Om Prakash’s contribution, which was instrumental in increasing the number of Indian businessmen to Germany, was recognized by the German authorities, and he was presented the Indo German Awards three times, in 1985, 1995 and 1999. Messe Dusseldorf, the leading German trade fairs organiser, recently honoured him by making him its Honorary Ambassador in India.