New Delhi: German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, switched to an electric vehicle (EV), driven by his desire to contribute to a cleaner environment. Ackermann marked the occasion by performing traditional rituals. He smashed a coconut and tied ‘nimbu-mirchi’ to the new car, a ritual believed to ward off evil spirits.
Ambassador Ackermann said that his decision to switch to an EV was motivated by the rising pollution levels in Delhi, especially during the winter months. “In winter, pollution gets really bad, and I felt that we should contribute to reducing it. I wanted an EV to help cut down on emissions, and after some discussions, my headquarters agreed to the new electric car,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann switches to EV (electric vehicle); ties ‘nimbu-mirchi’ to his car and smashes a coconut on the occasion. pic.twitter.com/OojZh4Nvx3
— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2024
What Philipp Ackermann said
After performing the rituals, Ackermann said that both Germany and India are deeply committed to sustainable development through their partnership agreement. “This is part of my personal effort to contribute to that mission and reduce pollution in this beautiful city,” Ackermann added.
On October 12, Ambassador Ackermann also expressed his enthusiasm for the launch of the Federation of European Business in India (FEBI) in Delhi. FEBI is an umbrella organisation that represents over 100 European companies and aims to strengthen economic ties between India and Europe.
Boosting trade relations
Ackermann said that the launch of FEBI would play a key role in boosting trade relations, particularly the ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU).
“It’s a great moment. FEBI is a very interesting network of European companies, and it’s an important step as Europe continues to play a significant role in India’s business ecosystem,” he said.
Ackermann said that the organisation would be active in various fields and would support the FTA talks between India and the EU, enhancing trade and economic cooperation.
