The Duke of York visits Mumbai
In Mumbai, the business capital of India, The Duke of York spent the third day of his week-long tour of India focusing on enterprise and education. His Royal Highness visited charitable projects within Dharavi where he toured the Potters’ enterprise zone in Khumbharwada. The Duke of York spoke with members of the community and saw them at work preparing clay and moulding pots into a finished product. His Royal Highness also met Chris Way and Krishna Pujari, co-founders of Reality Tours, which offers tours of Dharavi. Profits from Reality Tours are re-invested into the community through the Reality Gives programme. The Duke of York saw first-hand one of the community projects that this scheme has financed, a Children’s Learning Centre, where His Royal Highness met the children and teachers during an art session.
The Duke of York next visited the Dhirubhai Ambani International School, which is part of the charity Round Square, of which His Royal Highness is patron. The school was founded in 2003 by Mrs Nita M. Ambani and named in remembrance of her late father-in-law, Dhribhai Ambani. In nine years the school has developed an outstanding reputation, both academically and in extra-curricular endeavours. Each year the school sends many students to higher education establishments in the UK. His Royal Highness received a briefing on the school’s activities, ethos and goals from its founder and her team and was then taken on a tour of the school. Before leaving, he attended a performance by students which included traditional dances and background on key community initiatives in the school.
Standard Chartered Bank hosted a lunch for The Duke of York, attended by representatives from a number of British and international businesses with operations in India, to discuss the business environment for UK-based and UK-connected companies.
His Royal Highness served in the Royal Navy for 22 years and was very pleased to visit the Western Naval Command, one of three Naval Commands in India. The Duke of York was met by Vice-Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi, Commander-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, and toured INS Viraat, the Flagship of the Western Fleet. The INS Viraat, (formerly the HMS Hermes) is celebrating its 25th year in service for the Indian Navy and its 53rd year in operation. Close links exist between the Royal Navy and the Indian Navy and the INS Viraat has a unique resonance for The Royal Family: it is the only ship was that both the Duke of York and the Prince of Wales served on during their Naval careers.
His Royal Highness then called on Reliance Industries for discussions that will help build on the company’s already strong business relationship with the United Kingdom.
His Royal Highness’ visit to Mumbai concluded with a Diamond Jubilee Reception at the Taj Land’s End Hotel, attended by British citizens living in Mumbai and a wide cross-section of the city’s community. In his speech at the Reception, the Duke of York commented on the impressive entrepreneurial spirit that he had witnessed throughout his visit so far and highlighted his hope that existing links between the UK and India can be enhanced and developed further.