JEDDAH, 29 July 2005 — Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, who took charge as the new Indian Haj consul this week, said his top priority would be to improve health services for pilgrims.
“The government of India takes great pride in discharging its duties toward the pilgrims. My endeavor would be to carry that attitude forward and to facilitate their pilgrimage,” he told Arab News yesterday.
“We will render all possible help to pilgrims coming through both the Central Haj Committee and the private tour operators,” Dr. Khan said, adding: “Our focus will definitely be on improving health services both in Makkah and Madinah for pilgrims.”
Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed described Dr. Khan as the right man for the right job. “He is an experienced diplomat and we will all benefit from his experience,” Dr. Sayeed said. Dr. Khan hails from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He studied Medical Science and completed his MBBS with three gold medals from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore.
He also has an Advanced Diploma in Arabic Language from the School of Foreign Languages, New Delhi, and completed a High Intermediate Level Course in Arabic Language at the American University in Cairo.
Dr. Khan joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1997 and has had postings at Cairo and Damascus before taking up the new assignment. He will also be the director of India Forum.