WOMEN WITH A MISSION (9)
Nordic Goal
Nina
Vaskunlahti Finnish Ambassador
Reached India: September 2016
Credentials: Ambassador to Turkey
What she loves in India: Yoga lessons
Ambassador Nina Vaskunlahti, who has been in the foreign service
for 32 years, knows that moving around the world is part of a diplomat's life.
Still, India has been daunting. “The size of India with its 29 states is a
challenge and I have to prioritise my work and travel,“ she says.
She is focused on taking Indo-Finnish relationship to a new
level, with stronger ties between the political establishments, businesses and
civil society of the two countries. She also spends time in Helsinki talking
about India.
“It is an exciting time to be in Delhi when the country is
making its way forward,“ she says. She wants to make Finland, a small Nordic
nation, more visible in India amidst fierce competition from other bigger
countries.
When Vaskunlahti joined the foreign service in 1984, there were
11 women and 4 men in her batch. Today 10 of her women classmates hold senior
positions in diplomatic service. “Most of them are married with kids and have
made it to ambassador posts,“ she says proudly about the Nordic enabling
environment where gender equality is promoted in all walks of life.
She is married to Dr Andreas Herdina, who lives in Helsinki. But
Ambassador Vaskunlahti is happy that they meet regularly and get to spend time
together in Helsinki, Delhi or somewhere in between. from other bigger
countries.
When Vaskunlahti joined the foreign service in 1984 there were
11 women and 4 men in her batch. Today 10 of her women classmates hold senior
positions in diplomatic service. “Most of them are married with kids and have
made it to ambassador posts,“ she says proudly about the Nordic enabling
environment where gender equality is promoted in all walks of life.
Ishani Duttagupta
ETM5MAR17
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