Might-Elin Stener, the Norwegian Ambassador to India, has been within the metropolis for one 12 months of her four-year stint and has found a number of issues she appreciates concerning the Capital — Nehru Park, Lodhi Artwork District, the town’s bookstores, a great parantha.
Born on March 24, 1969, she accomplished her Regulation diploma in 1994 and has been with the Norwegian Ministry of International Affairs since 1995. From 1997 to 2000, she was Embassy Secretary, Norwegian Mission to the Worldwide Organisations in Geneva (work on disarmament points). In 2014-2018, she was Deputy Everlasting Consultant to the United Nations HQ in New York. From 2020-2023, she was Deputy Director Common, Deputy Head of the Division for Regional Affairs — Masking Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Center East, in addition to peace and reconciliation points.
She has been Ambassador of Norway to India since August 29, 2023. Since November 5, 2023, she has been accredited as an envoy of Norway to Sri Lanka.
Aside from Norwegian, she is fluent in English and has a great data of French and German. She is married, with one grownup daughter and two grownup stepchildren
Stener spoke to The Indian Specific for the fifth in a sequence of interviews with Ambassadors about Delhi — their house.
Edited excerpts:
What’s one place within the metropolis that you simply love to go to typically?
Nehru Park — I really like going there and operating on the trail across the park. I additionally recognize everybody else who’s there for a run, a stroll, or to do yoga within the morning. It’s like the town, individuals within the metropolis are waking up, in order that’s the place I go to principally.
Three issues that stood out for you on this one 12 months?
… There are such a lot of however firstly, Outdated Delhi, Chandni Chowk. It’s very vibrant and vigorous and I’ve been there on walks, guided walks, guided bicycling… It’s a spot the place I at all times take company and it actually reveals the center of what’s India for the Norwegians. The second place I like is the Lodhi Artwork District. It’s good to stroll round and take a look at the wall work and really feel the vibe. And the third place I might point out is Humayun’s Tomb and Sunder Nursery round it.
Any encounters with folks that occurred throughout your keep that you simply’ll in all probability bear in mind for all times?
I’ve been right here for a 12 months, so I don’t possibly have the attitude… however one encounter and reminiscence that I’m positive will stick with me is after I delivered credentials to the President in Rashtrapati Bhavan and within the Ashoka Corridor. It’s a phenomenal constructing… after I got here there and had the assembly with the President… I had two feminine diplomats with me and the President mentioned once we entered the room, ‘Nari Shakti’, in order that was additionally a particular second that can stick with me… This was really 36 hours after I got here to the nation — August 29, 2023.
Cafes or bookstores you want to go to?
Delhi has a variety of good bookstores. They’re very totally different from the shops now we have in Oslo and different European cities. Every thing is stacked in numerous methods and organised in numerous methods. A very nice bookshop is the one in Lodhi Artwork Colony… I can’t bear in mind the identify… I’ve been to Faqir Chand and Bahrisons in Khan Market a number of instances… as Khan Market is a bit near the embassy.
Favorite meals?
You understand in Delhi what I like is the range… Being an envoy, I don’t discover that a lot time to exit and eat. I might have favored to do it far more. We’re right here on the embassy quite a bit… however we additionally serve meals right here on the embassy and other people like to come back to eat salmon significantly. An Indian chef right here prepares salmon in many various ways in which I feel Indians recognize even when they solely like Indian meals.
Perhaps one dish I’ve discovered about and appreciated since I got here to Delhi a 12 months in the past — Parantha. Not day by day however typically I’ve it for breakfast. I like road meals from Outdated Delhi – so I might point out that additionally.
Is there something you’d miss concerning the metropolis when you return?
… I’ve solely been right here a 12 months and I’ve one other three years of my keep right here… It’s a bit troublesome to say is there something I’ll or received’t suppose that I’ll miss. I’m right here now and I’m actually having fun with it. However the one factor I can say for positive is after I go away Delhi, Delhi will stick with me… I’ll miss some issues and I’ll take them with me if I am going again to Oslo or wherever else I am going.
Should you needed to introduce Delhi to somebody again house, what would you say about it?
I’m doing it on a regular basis in order that’s simple…. what I’m saying to individuals is that Delhi has so much to supply… It’s not solely a stopover on the best way to the Taj Mahal or someplace else however the vibe is great and it’s value staying right here.
