Nirupama rao biography books

At the time of the civil war in Sri Lanka, I served as High Commissioner. Years earlier, I worked in the country as a young fledgling diplomat. Ambasador Ms. Nirupama Rao is also seen. They encouraged me to reach for the stars, which sustained me throughout my career.

Gradually, these discriminatory provisions watered down and were eliminated, and the marriage provision was removed too. Also seen from L-R Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, Ambassador Nirupama Rao and MEA Official Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin. Today, we have populism, hyper-nationalism, and voices that speak very differently from what we have heard in the last few decades.

Did you feel pressure as you advanced in your career? 

When I joined the Foreign Service, there were not many women. Prior to this post, I worked on the China desk in the Foreign Ministry for many years and was knowledgeable with an in-depth awareness of the issues. Before her are Nassar (1958), Soundarya (1972), Sunil Mittal (1957), Dipak Misra (1953), Bhanupriya (1967), and Yo Yo Honey Singh (1983).

You served as India’s first woman spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs, the first woman high commissioner to Sri Lanka, and the first Indian woman ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.

She had a great sense of duty and morality and set the highest standards for me. The service was established in 1948 (on the eve of Indian independence) and a few women were inducted but various constraints were placed.

We seem to be witnessing a lack of appreciation toward diplomacy. In her career she served in several capacities including, Minister of Press, Information and Culture in Washington DC, Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow, stints in the MEA as Joint Secretary, East Asia and External Publicity, the latter position making her the first woman spokesperson of the MEA, Chief of Personnel, Ambassador to Peru and China, and High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

I would face the media and answer reporters’ questions in real time. (May 06, 2012)