Of Palais de Nations peacocks and WFUNA meetings

A proud moment to meet our Indian National Bird at the Palais de Nations, Geneva, premises

May 2, 2018: I came back to Kolkata from Geneva today. I had left Kolkata on 25 April for Geneva via Dubai on Emirates and had reached Geneva in the evening. It is always a pleasure to fly Emirates and I notice the innovations and positive changes in services they keep adding.

In Geneva WFUNA ExCo meeting

The new first-class suites, which only fly Dubai—Geneva and Dubai-Brussels sectors, are really of high quality and very stylish. Although there is no spa attached to them like the A380 which fly to other sectors from Dubai, I presume the suites in A380 also would be like these in time. Each time I fly Emirates, I find the quality bar is raised.

I went to Geneva to attend the Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting of the World Federation of United Nations Association (WFUNA). My visit was packed with meetings and I got an opportunity to catch up with some old WFUNA colleagues and made some new friends in Geneva.

With Rajiv Kumar Chander, Permanent Representative of India to the UNOG

On April 26, I met Mr Rajiv Kumar Chander the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva at his office. Post that, I went to the WFUNA office which is located in the iconic Palais de Nations building. The imposing building, which is also called the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) and considered to be the UNO’sEuropean headquarters, is full of history.

In Geneva

Indian Restaurant in Geneva

This humongous complex is located on a 46-hectare prestigious Ariana Park overlooking the Geneva Lake. It was constructed from 1929 till 38 for the League of Nations. 

Over the years, additional buildings were added to the complex. 

Each year over one lac visitors tour the Palais de Nations and sixty thousand delegates participate in various conferences.

During my visit to Palais de Nations building complex, I was pleasantly surprised to find quite many of our National birds proudly strutting and roaming around the hallowed premises of one of Europe’s most iconic buildings in their splendid colours. Their occasional calls from time to time pierce through the stillness of Ariana Park. I came to know that these peacocks are the permanent members at the Palais de Nations since 1890 by decree. I was curious and made some queries. And what I came to know was very interesting.

The presence of about a dozen peacocks at the UNOG is a legacy of art collector Gustave Revilliod de Rive who bequeathed his park to the City of Geneva in 1890 based on three conditions that he be buried at the Park after his death; the peacocks should be allowed to roam freely in the Park; and the Park should be given access to the masses. All these three conditions are honoured by the City of Geneva. 

Thus the peacocks are the Special Guests of Palais de Nations as per the local law. A cenotaph or tomb of Gustave Revilliod has also been erected with the premises where his mortal remains to rest.

Since then, the peacocks and peahens have been roaming freely within the premises of Palais de Nations, often seen perching on many the more than 100-year-old trees planted from all over the world.

Indian restaurant in Geneva

Most of the peacocks at the Palais de Nations are from the Indian sub-continent. A Japanese zoo had initially gifted some peacocks to the Palais de Nations and the rest were gifted by the Permanent Mission India in Geneva. 

The birds are fed and taken care of by the park's gardeners. The cost of keeping these feathered guests in style is borne by the UNOG.

With Ramaz Aptsiauri, Kathryn White (WFUNA Canada) and Bonian Gulmohammadi

Before meeting the Permanent Representative of India to UNOG on 26 April, I had lunch with a Russian NGO at the Spice of India restaurant followed by a WFUNA meeting and then in the evening, I had dinner with WFUNA colleague Bonian Golmohammadi.

With Ramaz Aptsiauri, UNA Georgia

I had a series of meeting on 27 April and I met Mr. Ramaz Aptsiauri of United Nations Associations (UNA) Georgia at Hotel Royal Geneva. 

With Aarthi Krishnan of International Federatio of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Next, I had a meeting with Aarthi Krishnan of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. I also met Kathyrn White of UNA Canada and another meeting with Bonian Golmohammadi at Hotel Royal.

WFUNA meeting in progress

There was the WFUNA Finance Committee meeting followed by the WFUNA Executive Committee meeting at the Palais de Nations. In the evening, there was dinner at the UN dining room overlooking the lakes and mountains of Geneva.

With Bonian Gulmohammadi, WFUNA

On April 28 there were a series of meetings including another WFUNA ExCo meeting at CAGI International Welcome Centre. 

Indian restaurant Tandoori Grill in Geneva

In the evening I met Shishir Priyadarshi, Director Development Division of the World Trade Organisation for dinner along with his wife at the Rasoi by Vineet, an Indian food joint.

With Kiran Mehra Kerpelman

On April 30 I met Kiran Mehra Kerpelman over lunch at the WFUNA office in ILO.

With Michael Moller, Director General of UNOG

I met Mr Michael Moller, Director General of UNOG on May Day in the morning and left Geneva at night. I reached Kolkata today evening.

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