Honorary Consulate General of Korea, Chandigarh to host a series of events during 2023 to promote Korean culture 

CHANDIGARH: The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Korea, Chandigarh is all set to host a series of events during 2023 – the 50^th anniversary year of India-Korea diplomatic relations. Korean Cultural Evening, interactive sessions with the Korean community, and facilitating a visit of Ambassador Chang Jae-bok to Amritsar are some of the key activities it is going to take up during the current year.

Led by Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea at Chandigarh S. Jagdip Singh,  the Consulate covers the States of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Union Territory of Chandigarh in north of India.

“Having completed the illustrious year 2022 that witnessed a series of high-profile events including ‘Korea on the Move’ in Chandigarh, we have plans to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Korea this year in a big way. We are awaiting the convenience of His Excellency Chang Jae-bok for a trip to Amritsar, the Golden Temple city of Punjab. Honorary Consulate has had the privilege to host previous Ambassadors at Amritsar which provided a good opportunity to take them to prominent places including Golden Temple, and for “Beating the Retreat” ceremony at Wagah Border,” said Honorary Consul General S. Jagdip Singh, who also happens to be the Chairman, SIGMA group of companies.

According to HCG Singh, the consulate was also planning to organize a Korean Cultural Evening in Chandigarh with the support of the Korean Cultural Centre in India (KCCI) to promote Korean culture here. “It is proposed to invite dignitaries, prominent citizens and common public at the event. We also plan to invite Korean citizens living in and around Chandigarh for exchange of views,” he added.

Giving account of the previous eventful year, HCG Singh said that as a priority, the Honorary Consulate renewed its contacts with the Koreans settled and doing business in the designated States. Consulate officials contacted them and requested to visit the Honorary Consulate. This interaction was completed successfully. It has given the much-desired opportunity to assure that they have managed this difficult phase satisfactorily. It would be relevant to add that regular contacts were maintained with them even during the pandemic phase and problem, if any experienced by them, were resolved.

“With normalcy of working in the Consulate, there were larger number of visits of information seekers to the Consulate requiring information about tourism and higher educational opportunities in South Korea. Desired information was shared with them including handing over the material available on these matters. There were some requests to help in getting them Visa on priority to visit South Korea. In this connection, the Consulate Staff contacted the concerned officials at the Embassy and requested for early issue of visas in their favour,” he added.

During the ‘KOREA ON THE MOVE’ event in Chandigarh from 23rd to 25th November 2022, the Honorary Consulate extended its fullest cooperation to the Embassy to ensure that the event succeeded with flying colours. The event comprised of Calls of His Excellency on important dignitaries, participation in the Korea-Chandigarh Economic Cooperation Forum, Korean Fair at Elante Mall and visits to important places.

Importantly Honorary Consul General hosted a Welcome Dinner in honour of His Excellency Chang Jae-bok, Mrs. Chang, and Delegation Members at Hotel Taj Chandigarh. Honorary Consul General had extended a personal invitation for the Welcome Dinner to Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh. Governor attended the dinner along with his family members. Honorary Consul General S Singh had extended invitations to about 120 guests consisting of high dignitaries, bureaucrats of the Governments of States of Punjab and Haryana as also Union Territory of Chandigarh, Judges of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, members of Diplomatic Corps at Chandigarh and prominent citizens.

Later the Honorary Consul General was invited by Ms. Caroline Rowett, British Deputy High Commissioner in the British Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh for a Lunch hosted by her on 8th December 2022 at Chandigarh. This was attended by other members of the Diplomatic Corps and provided a good opportunity to interact with them on issues of mutual cooperation in trade and culture.

Profile: Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea at Chandigarh S. Jagdip Singh  

S. Jagdip Singh, a renowned businessman and industrialist, was born on 5th November 1944. His career took off at a very young age. And by dint of his hard work, vision, initiative, drive, and zeal, he was able to establish Sigma Group of industries. S. Jagdip Singh is the Chairman of this group. The Group also had Sigma Vibracoustic India Pvt. Ltd. and Sigma Freudenberg NOK Pvt. Ltd., joint ventures of Sigma with Vibracoustic and Freudenberg of Germany and NOK of Japan, in its fold till sometime back. The group companies are engaged in manufacturing of Automobile components, which are supplied to almost all car/truck/bus manufacturers in India, Germany and USA.

Due to its large manufacturing base and reach, Sigma is considered as one of the largest and well-respected groups in the field of Automobile components manufacturing. The Group employs over 4000 people in its manufacturing facilities located in the State of Haryana and has a manufacturing facility and marketing office in Chicago, USA as well.

Sigma Group is one of the largest Exporters of Automobile components in the country and a government recognized Export House. It has been awarded with more than 80 National Awards for promoting exports.

He achieved another milestone in his illustrious career when he was appointed as the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of the Republic of Korea for the States of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir & Union Territory of Chandigarh. A widely travelled man, S. Jagdip Singh is also a member of several prestigious Chambers of Commerce and Industries in India like FICCI, CII, ACMA, EEPC, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry etc. and also various well-known Clubs like Delhi Golf Club, Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar, India International Centre, India Islamic & Cultural Centre and several others in the country.

The humanitarian and public-spiritedness aspect of the personality of S. Jagdip Singh is equally effective and strong. The trust created by him with the name “Sundar Santokh Foundation Charitable Trust” speaks volumes for his philanthropist activities which extends financial help to widows, sick, destitute, old and helpless people and work for the promotion and propagation of universal brotherhood and equality of all as per values and teachings of the Great Gurus.