Pierre Fournier, French Consul in Pondicherry
| 10 February 2011
In Pondicherry at the North end of the beach road lies a beautiful yellow building, with coconut trees in the garden. This is the French general Consulate, opened at this address in 1956. The French community here is the most important of all India, the consulate is here to provide different services to French citizens, we have met Mr Pierre Fournier to understand better the French institution's missions.
How long have you been in Pondicherry?
I arrived in August 2009, for 3 to 4 years.
What are the missions of the French consulate in Pondicherry? Are they permanent or do they evolve in time?
Indeed, a lot of people do not know the exact purpose of a consulate and have an old-fashioned outlook concerning our missions. The answer is simple: first you need to make a difference between a consulate and a general consulate. A consulate is the local French community's town hall and prefecture. Here in Pondicherry, we have a general consulate including the consular work and an expanded mission.
Through the service of civil status (wedding, birth, death), we are able to follow up with French citizens.
It is also election time. 2012 is going to be an important election year with 2 rounds for the presidential elections, but also for the first time we will be able to vote for the MPs representing French citizens living abroad.
We also have a nationality unit, which is quite a heavy burden in Pondicherry, considering its past. This unit takes care of monitoring, renewal of passports and also hands out certificates of nationality.
There is also a remarkable social unit, which does not depend on the service for scholarships. It keeps up with French households, who are in financial troubles and allocates social support through a special commission including the Consul himself and representatives of the French community.
Therefore the consulate is the French town hall of Pondicherry and has a lot of work as the district gathers around 7000 French inhabitants. It also is the prefecture, as we are responsible for their security.
We also have a visa unit. You have to know that we issue 10 to 11000 visas per year for France, or to be more precise for the Schengen area.
The work done by the 'general' consulate goes beyond the consular mission as I said earlier. By delegation, we also have the duty to politically and economically represent France in India. I am trying to develop our economical contacts, and to expand our business support, which would explain my frequent visits to Chennai.
There is no Chamber of Commerce in Chennai yet, isn't it?
Actually, we are going to open such a Chamber. The French populations in Chennai doubled in 3 years, 80 French companies are implemented in the city including huge companies such as Renault, Michelin, Thalès, Areva, with a lot more to come. A French school should be started by Michelin; and in a few weeks the Southern chapter of the Chamber of Commerce will be inaugurated.
A French-Indian Chamber of Commerce already exists in Mumbai, and considering the commercial and economical dynamics in this region, we decided to create a new Chamber in Chennai - it is important to know that the biggest investments by France in India are made in Chennai. It is the town with the highest growth of French companies. We are therefore opening this Chamber and a consular permanency - an Honorary Consul already exists- to support the movement. Meeting political partners in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as expanding the economical partnership with India; that's the mission of the general consulate.
How are the French embassies and consulates organized in India?
We have the French embassy in Delhi and 4 general consulates in Mumbai, Pondicherry - which is the oldest- Kolkata and Bangalore.
What kind of image does the French presence convey? Is it seen as a possibility for development or is it only considered as a historic reality?
Excellent in Chennai. Globally and compared to other parts of India, the state of Tamil Nadu stands out as politically attractive and efficient when it comes to industrial investments. Just have a look at the large automobile sector - Chennai is one of the 10th biggest automobile hubs in the world- and the importance of information Technology - Chennai is the 2nd software exporter after Banaglore.
Let's focus on Pondicherry: you said 7000 French citizens? With a majority of Pondy-born French and expatriates, I imagine?
Yes, it is the biggest French populated area of India, with the so-called « Franco-Pondicheriens » and the expatriates. We make this nominal difference for practical reasons as they present an administrative headache regarding residence permits. They are French, who were born in Pondicherry, as their family opted to become French between 1962 and 1963. They make 80% of the French community here. But this specific population is decreasing as the Youth tends to leave in order to settle down in the big cities.
Does the new generation leave their hometown?
Yes, the children often leave for the big towns, so this part of the population is slowly decreasing. Furthermore, the French community in Chennai is increasing. Even though one can notice a return to the roots by the third generation, the populations is growing older. This phenomenon brings new blood to the community. A lot of people also decide to settle down here as they develop new commercial concepts - art galleries, websites and restaurants- bringing new energy to the city.
In terms of development, what do you think are Pondicherry's strong points ?
This town is unique, historically and on an architectural basis due to its French legacy. If Pondy learns how to use this uniqueness for touristic purposes, it can become very competitive. We are trying to expand a very important sector: sustainable tourism. We and the government strongly believe that Pondy could showcase Ecotourism effectively. The major players in this field such as INTACH, PondyCan are extremely active and committed to the cause. We work closely together.
We are also involved with the beach restoration project. A French company has been designated to restore the sand beach as it existed 10 to 15 years ago. We want to recreate an auto-sufficient process that was interrupted a few years back.
How is Pondy perceived in France? What is its reputation?
To be honest, I do not think it is adequate. I feel like it is old-fashioned and outworn. It does not portray reality effectively. The white town, the banyan tree...There is a need to change this simplified perception. The visit of our Minister MAM last year, showed the infatuation for the town. Also people feel that Pondy is dynamic and motivated as they leave which encourages us to continue and indulge into our work.
More detail about the French Consulate in Pondicherry