Montenegro National Day celebrations begin today, July 11, 2025, at the Ashok Hotel, New Delhi, marking a grand prelude to the official National Day on July 13. This special occasion not only honors the rich heritage and scenic beauty of Montenegro, often called the "Pearl of the Mediterranean", but also celebrates 17 years of exceptional diplomatic service by Dr. Janice Darbari, Honorary Consul General of Montenegro in India.
Guests will enjoy a vibrant blend of Montenegrin and Indian culture through a unique culinary collaboration between Montenegrin chefs and ITDC celebrity chefs, offering a feast of authentic delicacies from both nations. The event brings together diplomats, cultural envoys, and dignitaries in a spirit of unity, peace, and international friendship.
Dr. Janice Darbari hails from a distinguished lineage of diplomats. She is the granddaughter of Jagdishwar Nigam, an ICS officer from the 1923 batch during the British Empire. He played a pivotal role during India's independence movement, particularly on August 19, 1942, when, as District Magistrate and Collector of Balia, he ordered the Superintendent of Police to surrender firearms to the police lines—a powerful act of defiance that shook the British administration. This bold move laid the groundwork for democratic ideals that were later enshrined in the Indian Independence Act of 1947, under the leadership of King George VI and Prime Minister Clement Attlee.
Following in her family's diplomatic footsteps, Dr. Darbari has carved an extraordinary career in international relations. She was appointed as the Special Emissary of Macedonia (FYROM) to India in 1994 and successfully established bilateral diplomatic relations. Her father, Shatrughan Swarup Darbari, was part of India's UN delegation in 1954 under V.K. Krishna Menon, dealing with critical international issues, including Kashmir.
Dr. Darbari has played a prominent role in Indian policy and peace-building. She contributed to the Assam Accord, which helped resolve separatist tensions in Northeast India. She has served as an Advisor to the Ministry of Labour, focusing on child labour and vocational rehabilitation, and was appointed by Minister Suresh Prabhu to help draft India's National Policy on Bamboo under the Ministry of Environment.
Beyond diplomacy, Dr. Darbari is a passionate Odissi classical dance exponent, social activist, and media personality. She has hosted several consumer awareness programs on Doordarshan and co-produced the acclaimed documentary My India. A prolific author, her works include Indira Gandhi: 1028 Days, Commonwealth and Nehru (co-authored with Raj Darbari), and Srimanta Sankaradeva: The Living Legend.
India and Montenegro have seen increasing engagement in sports and cultural exchanges. Indian teams have visited Montenegro for cricket, soccer, boxing, chess, wrestling, and white-water rafting. Most recently, Shivang Dhyani has initiated a youth trekking exchange program between India and Montenegro.
To honor her grandfather's revolutionary act, Dr. Darbari and her sister, Dr. Raj Darbari—a filmmaker and co-author—are producing a feature film titled The Administrator. The film explores the ideological battle between British imperialism and democratic awakening, centering on Prime Minister Attlee and Jagdishwar Nigam, reflecting a pivotal shift in Indo-British relations and global peace initiatives.
The book The Administrator, co-authored by Sheila Darbari, Raj Darbari, and Janice Darbari, is featured on the Government of India's cultural portal Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Dr. Janice Darbari's work continues to embody the spirit of diplomacy, peace, and social progress, making her a true symbol of enduring international goodwill.
