UK Diplomat Andrew Fleming bids adieu to his favourite city, reflects his 5yrs in Hyd

Hyderabad: British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Fleming mulls over this five-year stay in Hyderabad as he prepares to leave the city. He recalled his first Saturday in Hyderabad and how a few Muslim friends had taken him to Charminar.

Mr. Fleming became the Deputy High Commissioner to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in July 2017. His term at Hyderabad has come to an end.

"Hyderabad is perhaps the most satisfying city I have ever lived in. It's like a pandora's box. I always found a brand-new place to explore every time I stepped out of my house," he said.

He recalled one of the first programs he conducted with a group of students from Madina Degree and PG College for Women based on community cohesion. "We took all these students, a majority who were Muslims, on a walk. We visited a mosque, temple, gurudwara, and a church. At each place, we spent some time. The class also had students of other religions. It is truly amazing to see how each of them was sharing their cultural experiences with each other," Mr. Fleming recalls.

Mr. Fleming's role included promoting business and trade between the UK and India's Telugu region and connecting with people on local issues. During his tenure here, he worked for multiple social causes and conducted various workshops on developing leadership skills and more.

"If you ask me what's the best takeaway from five years in Hyderabad then I can tell you without a doubt that it's the people," Mr. Fleming says. He is happy he made so many friends in the city. "I know I can come back to the city at any time. I am thankful for everyone, including people from all political parties who have turned Hyderabad into a home away from home," he says.

Mr. Fleming says he will dearly miss south Indian breakfast and homemade chutneys. He recalls three scrumptious breakfasts he was served at various political party members' residences. "The piping hot idlis, dosa, and chutneys will forever be my favorite," he says. He also thinks about the veg Thalis he enjoyed when he visited Andhra Pradesh.

He credits his team at the British High Deputy Commission for upholding UK-India relations steadily. "In the last five years, the trade and investment between TS, AP, and the UK have gone up by 12-fold. This would not have been possible for all the team members," he adds.

Padmaja Konisetti, head of press and communications at the British High Deputy Commission, said Mr. Fleming was perhaps one of the only diplomats who was truly interested in the personal growth of his co-workers. "We will all dearly miss him," she said.