Belgium honours A.C. Muthiah

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SPIC Chairman A.C. Muthiah presented with ‘Order of Leopold II’ of the Kingdom of Belgium at a function in Chennai on Wednesday. Pieter De Crem, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade of Belgium, H.E. Jan Luykx, Ambassador of Belgium to India, Bart de Groof, Consul-General of Belgium for India, are in the picture. Photo: Shaju John
SPIC Chairman A.C. Muthiah presented with ‘Order of Leopold II’ of the Kingdom of Belgium at a function in Chennai on Wednesday. Pieter De Crem, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade of Belgium, H.E. Jan Luykx, Ambassador of Belgium to India, Bart de Groof, Consul-General of Belgium for India, are in the picture. Photo: Shaju John

The Kingdom of Belgium on Wednesday conferred the ‘Order of Leopold II’ to SPIC chairman, A.C.Muthiah, for his services as honorary consul of Belgium.

Mr. Muthiah served as honorary consul for 25 years from 1988-2013.

Pieter De Crem, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade of Belgium, recalled Mr. Muthiah’s services to Belgian citizens in South India.

“I specifically mention your hospitality during the visits of both our King Albert and crown Prince, now King Philip,” he said.

The minister said Mr. Muthiah resigned from his post in 2013 after Belgium decided to open a Career Consulate General office in Chennai.

“This is a proud moment for me to receive the honour from the Kingdom of Belgium,” Mr. Muthiah said. He recalled Prince Philip’s love for Sanskrit. When he visited Chennai, Mr. Muthiah had arranged a Sanskrit teacher to teach him the language. N. Ram, Chairman, Kasturi & Sons, participated.

This article has been corrected for a factual error

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – February 18th, 2016