Indian Community in Ethiopia and DjiboutiIn Ethiopia At one time there were more than 9000 families in Ethiopia. Presently, the Indian community numbers approximately 2000 nationals, comprising mainly of business persons, representatives of Indian companies, Indian teachers in Universities, Colleges and Technical Institutions and professionals working in UNECA, World Bank, UNDP and other international organizations. There are seven associations, viz. the Indian Association established in 1937, the Hindu Mahajan, the Kerala Samajam, Indian Women Association, Indian Muslims Cultural Committee, Addis Ababa University Indian Teachers Forum, and Tamil Sangam. The contact addresses of these Associations are as follows:
There is an Indian National School which is an autonomous institution set up in 1947 under the auspices of the Indian Association. Around 200 students study in the school from Grade I to XII and the curriculum followed is in CBSE pattern. Public examinations for Grade-X and XII are conducted in the Mission. In Djibouti The Indian community in Djibouti at present is around 600 persons including family members. Majority of them belong to Gujarat and Kerala. Many Gujarati families originate from major towns of Rajkot and Jamnagar. They are involved in trading and agency business representing companies from India, China, South Korea, Taiwan, etc. Some of them work as corporate employees holding positions in accounts and management, computer programmers, etc. The companies involved in ongoing Doraleh Port Project have also engaged a number of Indian experts and technicians. A number of Indians are also working in the Djibouti port and refinery project. Late Mr. J.J. Kothari, grandfather of the present Honorary Consul of India was one of the 10 persons who initially came to Djibouti in 1910 and initiated shipping and import business. There are also French nationals of Indian origin numbering around 100. The community has set up an Indian School up to Grade-IV level. * * * |