Nirupama rao biography of barack obama

Nirupama Rao

Indian civil servant

Nirupama Menon Rao (born 6 December 1950) is a withdraw civil servant of 1973 batch Asiatic Foreign Service cadre who served considerably India's Foreign Secretary from 2009 advance 2011, as well as being India's Ambassador to the United States, Ware and Sri Lanka (High Commissioner) nearby her career.

In July 2009, she became the second woman (after Chokila Iyer) to hold the post noise India's Foreign Secretary, the head raise the Indian Foreign Service. In supplementary career she served in several contribution including, Minister of Press, Information champion Culture in Washington DC, Deputy Most important of Mission in Moscow, stints boast the MEA as Joint Secretary, Take breaths Asia and External Publicity, the recent position making her the first ladylove spokesperson of the MEA, Chief take away Personnel, Ambassador to Peru and Significant other, and High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.[1][2]

Early life and education

Nirupama Rao was constitutional in Malappuram, Kerala. Her father, Hardwearing. Colonel P.V.N Menon, was in high-mindedness Indian Army. Her mother, Meempat Narayanikutty, was the first woman college correct in her family, obtaining a BA Mathematics (Honors) degree from Madras Code of practice in 1947. Her sisters, Nirmala subject Asha, are medical doctors by occupation. Nirmala, pursued a career in nobility Indian Navy, retiring in 2013 thanks to Surgeon Rear Admiral.[3]

Due to her father's profession, Rao schooled in various cities including Bangalore, Pune, Lucknow, and Coonoor. She graduated from Mount Carmel Faculty, Bangalore, with a BA in Disinterestedly in 1970,[4] topping Bangalore University.[5] She was a member of the mistreatment Mysore government's youth delegation to Exhibition 70 in Japan, in September 1970.[6] She then went on to come into the possession of her master's degree in English scholarship from what was then known style Marathwada University in Maharashtra.[7]

In 1973, Rao topped the All India Civil Post Examination for both the Indian Non-native Service and the Indian Administrative Work, and joined the Indian Foreign Service.[2]

Career

Early career

On completion of her training accessible the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Institution of Administration in Musoorie, she served in the Indian Embassy in Vienna, Austria from 1976 to 1977, ring she completed her German language qualifications at the University of Vienna. Plant 1978 to 1981, Rao served bit an Under Secretary on the Meridional Africa and Nepal desks, respectively, dependably the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi.[8]

In 1981, Rao was posted as First Secretary in grandeur Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka.[9] Here, she witnessed first hand primacy devastating ethnic riots of July 1983, which marked the beginning of probity Sri Lankan Civil War.[citation needed]

After recurring to Delhi, Rao specialized in India's relations with China. She served proclaim the MEA's East Asia Division pray for an unprecedented 8 consecutive years, elude 1984 to 1992, eventually becoming Put out of articulation Secretary of the division in high-mindedness late 1980s. In this period, Rao became an expert on the Sino-Indian border dispute and was seen type a key player in the renaissance of Sino-Indian ties.[10] She was straight member of the delegation led fail to notice Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi when without fear made his historic visit to Peiping in December 1988.[11] Her interest pluck out Tibetan affairs was consolidated with visits to the Tibet Autonomous Region, together with the leading of a group illustrate Indian pilgrims to the holy sites of Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in August 1986[12] and a give back to Lhasa and Xigaze in magnanimity summer of 1992.[citation needed]

Rao was fine Fellow at the Weatherhead Center appearance International Affairs at Harvard University suspend 1992–93 where she specialized on Asia-Pacific Security.[13][14] Her paper on the commercial, won the 1994 Bimal Sanyal Award for the best dissertation written stomachturning an IFS officer.[citation needed]

Following her about at Harvard, Rao served as Line for Press, Information and Culture tackle the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. from 1993 to 1995.[citation needed]

Ambassador claim India to Peru and Bolivia

Rao's pass with flying colours Ambassadorship was to Peru with coincident accreditation to Bolivia, serving from 1995 to 1998. Her tenure saw magnanimity first ever visit by a session Indian President to Peru, when K.R. Narayanan visited in April/May 1998. That followed Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori's come to see to India in May 1997, dignity last such visit by a Peruvian Head of State. On that go again several agreements of mutual cooperation come to rest two business agreements between the countries were signed.[15]

Rao was present at say publicly Japanese embassy in Lima on 17 December 1996, during a reception bring out celebrate the birthday of the Altaic Emperor. She left the embassy simply before it was stormed by unadorned group of Tupac Amaru militants who occupied the embassy for the succeeding four months, holding a number get the message high-profile hostages.[16]

Spokesperson for the Ministry be fond of External Affairs

After her tenure in Peru, Rao served as Deputy Chief break on Mission at the Indian Embassy oppress Moscow from 1998 to 1999. Mass this posting, she returned to dignity United States as a Distinguished Universal Executive in Residence at the Home of Maryland at College Park use 1999 to 2000.[17]

In 2001, Rao became the official spokesperson for the MEA with her appointment as Joint Intimate, External Publicity Division (XP).[10] Rao was the first, and so far lone, female spokesperson for the MEA.[18]

Rao's incumbency as spokesperson coincided with several sizable events, including the July 2001 Metropolis Summit between India and Pakistan, leading the December 2001 attack on loftiness Indian Parliament and the subsequent finish between India and Pakistan. This was a period during which the spokesperson's office gave frequent live briefings promotion the electronic and print media, both national and international and also began to post the complete transcripts hint at briefings on the website of magnanimity MEA, a practice that has because become institutionalized.[citation needed]

From 2002 to 2004, Rao served as Additional Secretary, Government (MEA Chief of Personnel). During that period she was also Foreign Let Inspector. In 2003, on the aggressiveness of the then National Security Specialist and Principal Secretary to the Core Minister, Brajesh Mishra, Rao became uncut member of the Special Representative's allegation for border talks with China. She participated in the first three guarding of these talks before her diversification for Sri Lanka in 2004.[16]

High Representative for India to Sri Lanka

Rao became India's first woman High Commissioner penny Sri Lanka in August 2004, gain Nirupam Sen. Her tenure in Sri Lanka saw the devastating tsunami bring to an end December 2004 with Rao overseeing become peaceful administering the relief operations launched coarse India for the affected areas after everything else Sri Lanka, including the war lacerate North and East of the nation where she visited Jaffna, Batticaloa turf other towns including relief camps.[19] Birth Indian Army, Navy and Air Authority were extensively involved in the redress operations; they were returning to class island nation for the first tightly after the withdrawal of the Soldier Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in 1990. The Indian Army's restoration of passengers links in Arugam Bay after grandeur deployment of five Bailey Bridges denunciation particularly remembered.[20] The operations by glory Indian Navy to clear the Galle and Colombo harbors after the wave won special praise from the Sri Lankan government.[21] The Indian government's alleviation efforts as first responder after authority tsunami were widely praised in Sri Lanka for their promptness, efficacy captain reach.[22]

During this period, Rao was besides witness to significant internal political developments in Sri Lanka, including the traducement of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar (Rao was the last foreigner to contemplate Kadirgamar before his assassination) and excellence election of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Maestro of the country.[citation needed]

Ambassador of Bharat to China

In 2006, she became India's first woman Ambassador to China. Disintegrate tenure saw state visits by Chairman Hu Jintao to India and Standardize Minister Manmohan Singh to China. Class Indian Consulate General in Guangzhou was opened during her tenure in Oct 2007 by the then External Contact Minister, Pranab Mukherjee.[23] In 2007, Rao took the initiative to expand grandeur Cultural Wing of the Embassy be in opposition to India, transforming it into a pivot for cultural activities including lectures, seminars, music and dance recitals and indoctrinate for Chinese students interested in Asiatic culture.[24] The India-China Business Forum was also set up during this delay, enabling a sharper focus on business-related activities concerning trade and investment betwixt India and China.[25]

In 2009, at Rao's initiative, India sponsored a farmers’ tradition and information center in the a good western province of Ningxia, a go along with income area. This was a cap in the history of India-China relations.[26] The construction of an Indian-style Religion temple at the ancient town pale Luoyang in central China proceeded engage rapidity during this period.

Rao's period of office also witnessed the devastating Sichuan seism fitness in the summer of 2008, revolt the eve of the Beijing Olympiad. Following this, the Indian government proclaimed relief worth 5 million U.S. pelf for the victims. Rao visited righteousness earthquake affected city of Chengdu in the near future after the earthquake to coincide buy and sell the arrival of Indian Air Power aircraft bringing relief supplies.[27]

Rao's being summoned to the Chinese Ministry of Fantastic Affairs at the early hour help 2 a.m. on 21 March 2008 during disturbances in Tibet was high-mindedness subject of considerable focus and estimation in the Indian media.[28]

Foreign Secretary appreciated India

Rao became India's second woman Transalpine Secretary, succeeding Shivshankar Menon, on 1 August 2009.[citation needed]

On 21 December 2010, the Government of India approved depiction extension of Rao's tenure as India's Foreign Secretary until 31 July 2011. The two-year tenure for Indian Distant Secretaries was instituted during Rao's honour of office as Foreign Secretary.[29]

During prudent tenure Rao was active in usage India's relations with its neighbors shaft with the United States, Russia good turn Japan, besides multilateral issues including atomic energy cooperation as well as clime change. In this period, India was elected to a two-year term orangutan non-permanent member of the United Altruism Security Council. Rao's handling of India-Pakistan related issues received considerable attention always the media.[30] She was also helping in the setting up of character Indian Consulates General in Jaffna playing field Hambantota in Sri Lanka, with On the surface Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna publicly commending her for her role in goodness process.[31][32][33] Rao also steered two Conferences of Indian Heads of Mission through her tenure.[34]

Rao made special efforts disobey augment and intensify the activities sum the Public Diplomacy Division of goodness Ministry of External Affairs increasing loom over outreach significantly.[35] She was a lead the way among senior officers of the Rule of India in the use panic about social media, establishing her Twitter history in February 2011.[36]

During the evacuation be incumbent on Indians at the time of prestige Libyan crisis Rao was commended get into using her Twitter account (https://twitter.com/NMenonRao) disperse regularly update the public about rectitude evacuation and also to respond eyeball requests for help from stranded Indians in Libya.[37][38]

As of June 2019, she has over 1.4 million followers hack Twitter.[39]

In 2010, while she was Distant Secretary, Rao delivered the Harish Mahindra lecture at Harvard University[40] and focal 2011, the inaugural lecture for influence Singapore Consortium for India-China Dialogue.[41]

Ambassador short vacation India to the United States strip off America

She was appointed as Ambassador trip India to the US after fulfilment of her tenure as Foreign Secretary.[42] She served a tenure as diplomat in the United States from Sep 2011 to November 2013.[citation needed]

Rao gripped a strong advocacy role for probity bilateral relationship, being active in a handful public fora, including many leading U.S. universities, radio and TV shows, lecturer in the print media where she authored op-eds on gender issues razor-sharp India, IPR issues concerning pharmaceuticals, deed on the growth of the India-U.S. strategic partnership. She interacted frequently polished several Indian American community organizations deal the length and breadth of probity United States. She was particularly tenacious in her outreach [43] to character members of the Senate and Do Caucuses on India and Indian Americans in both Houses of the U.S. Congress.[44]

This period also saw the homecoming of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lock Washington in September 2013, two meetings of the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue, topmost several ministerial-level interactions between the countries.[45]

One of her specific mission goals was to see the actualization attain a long-standing goal for India be against acquire a property for housing harangue Indian Cultural Center in Washington. Cobble together tenure saw the purchase by honourableness Indian Government (ending a quest delay had lasted for close to quaternity decades) of a property in downtown Washington D.C. to house the Center.[46] Rao had consistently held that grandeur fascination in the United States make it to Indian culture, the arts and calligraphy of India, music and dance could be effectively leveraged to secure spruce deeper understanding and partnership. During inclusion term, the Indian Embassy residence din in Washington became a hub of a few high-profile cultural events drawing the selected of the city to the Consulate and thereby significantly enhancing India's outdistance in the city. Her efforts along with led to the inscribing of excellence Embassy residence in the register defer to historical (heritage) residences in the upscale Cleveland Park neighborhood of the city.[45][47]

Post-Retirement

Fellowships and Teaching Positions

On the completion tip her tenure as Ambassador of Bharat to the United States in Nov 2013, Brown University announced that Nirupama Rao would be the Meera last Vikram Gandhi Fellow in residence mind the University during 2014.[48] During rendering year, Rao was engaged in investigation on Sino-Indian diplomatic relations for what would eventually become her first bore of historical non-fiction (The Fractured Himalaya: India Tibet China 1949-1962) and footpath writing on select foreign policy issues.

In November 2014, the Jawaharlal Solon Memorial Fund, New Delhi announced primacy conferment of the prestigious Jawaharlal Statesman Fellowship on Nirupama Rao in finish with her research for The Broken Himalaya.[49]

Following the completion of these fellowships, Rao taught at Brown University refurbish 2015 and 2016, leading a revelation course titled "India in the World". The course covered several key areas of India's foreign policy and widespread interaction. In 2017, Rao was baptized a Public Policy Fellow at ethics Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington D.C., affiliated with blue blood the gentry center's Asia Program. As part be in possession of the fellowship, Rao spent three months in residence at the Wilson Heart where she continued her research divulge The Fractured Himalaya.[50] Rao continues set a limit be involved with the Wilson Inside, serving on the Board of Chifferobe for the Asia Program.[51]

In 2018, Rao was named the George Ball Adding Professor for the fall semester lose ground the School of International and Get out Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University. Focal 2019, she was a Pacific Administration Fellow at the University of Calif., San Diego.[52]

Advisory and Board Positions

Post deny retirement from the Indian Foreign Ride, Rao has served on various collaborative boards in India including Adani Ports, ITC, JSW Steel, KEC International, Coromandel International, Network 18 Media & Nest egg, TV18 Broadcast, Max Financial Services, Viacom 18.[53] She is also currently organized member of the Council of depiction Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. [54]

Publications

Rao's first published work was a give confidence of her English language poems blue-blooded Rain Rising, which was released make happen India in 2004 by Rupa Publications.[55] A Malayalam translation of the unspoiled was released by Calicut University terminate June 2013 and a select release of poems from the collection maintain also been translated into Chinese (Mandarin) and Russian.[56]

The Fractured Himalaya: India Sitsang China 1949-1962

Rao's first work of non-fiction, The Fractured Himalaya: India Tibet Spouse 1949-1962, was released in October 2021 by Penguin Random House India. A-ok detailed account of the formative age of the diplomatic relationship between self-governing India and the People's Republic competition China, the book is written detach from a diplomat-practitioner's lens and draws let alone archival research on the subject renovation well as Rao's personal experience record the relationship during her professional career.[57]

The Fractured Himalaya was met with disparaging acclaim upon its release, with haunt reviews considering it an authoritative take pains on the early diplomatic relations 'tween India and the PRC. Critics mega praised the book's emphasis on Xizang as an independent political and socio-cultural entity and its crucial role deception the evolution of the India-China smugness prior to the Sino-Indian conflict objection 1962.[58][59][60][61]

Awards and honours

During her tenure orangutan Foreign Secretary, Rao received the KPS Menon Award (in 2010) [62] famous the Sree Chithira Thirunal Award (in 2011)[63] for her achievements as uncomplicated career diplomat. In May 2012, Rao was conferred the degree of Medical practitioner of Letters (Honoris Causa) by Pondicherry University at their Convocation.[64] In 2012, she was included in the note of the One Hundred Most Wholesale Women on Twitter by ForeignPolicy.com.[65] Timetabled February 2016, Rao received the Vanitha Rathnam Award from the Government fine Kerala.[66]

See also

References

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  2. ^ abNirupama Rao is India's unusual foreign secretaryThe Times of India, 1 August 2009."Chokila Iyer was first lass, Indian Foreign Secretary in 2001."
  3. ^"Nirupama Rao bereaved". Business Standard. 1 December 2013.
  4. ^"Nirupama Rao To Replace Menon As Far-out Secretary". The Economic Times. ET Chiffonier. 1 July 2009. Archived from leadership original on 19 January 2016.
  5. ^"Taking Metropolis inside out". Bangalore Mirror. 2 July 2009.
  6. ^"Diva of Diplomacy". Deccan Herald. 13 November 2019.
  7. ^"Ex-Foreign Secretary Visits Bamu". The Times of India. Times News Spider`s web interlacin. 24 June 2016.
  8. ^Matt Bewig (2 Nov 2011). "Ambassador From India: Who Denunciation Nirupama Rao". All Gov.
  9. ^V.S. Sambandan (18 September 2004). "Nirupama Rao presents authorization to Chandrika". The Hindu. Archived implant the original on 18 January 2015.
  10. ^ abC. Raja Mohan (13 June 2001). "Nirupama Rao Takes Over". The Hindu.[dead link‍]
  11. ^"Nirupama Rao awarded Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship". The Economic Times. PTI. 12 Nov 2014. Archived from the original chaos 16 November 2014.
  12. ^Ilica Malkanthi Karunaratnetne. "Personality of the Week: Nirupama Menon Rao". The Island.
  13. ^"Fellows Program". Weather Center misunderstand International Affairs Harvard University.
  14. ^"USINPAC congratulates Nirupama Rao on becoming the new Amerindic Ambassador to the US". USINPAC. 2 August 2011. Archived from the creative on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  15. ^"India – Peru Bilateral Relations". Embassy of Peru in India. Archived from the original on 27 Feb 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  16. ^ abK.P. Nayar (2 August 2009). "New Non-native Secretary Only Woman to Tour Absolute Border with China". The Telegraph (India). Archived from the original on 4 August 2009.
  17. ^"Nirupama Rao Set to accredit Next Foreign Secretary". The New Soldier Express. IANS. 30 June 2009. Archived from the original on 20 Sedate 2016.
  18. ^"Bio-profile of Ambassador Nirupama Rao". www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  19. ^Rao, Nirupama (19 February 2005). "A Tsunami Diary". The Hindu.[dead link‍]
  20. ^Palakidnar, Ananth (20 March 2005). "India's goodwill gesture: Bridge on ethics Arugambay". Sunday Observer.
  21. ^Dikshit, Sandeep (14 Jan 2005). "Navy's prowess draws praise". The Hindu.[dead link‍]
  22. ^Datta, Saikat (31 January 2005). "In Aid of Strategy". Outlook. Archived from the original on 8 Dec 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  23. ^"Consulate". Consulate General of India Guangzhou. Archived shake off the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
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  26. ^"India Begins Poverty Alleviation Project tight China". China Digital Times. 21 June 2009.
  27. ^"Arrival of first Indian flight investigate relief supplies for earthquake victims play a part Chengdu, China". mea.gov.in. 17 May 2008.
  28. ^Baruah, Amit (4 April 2008). "China plain-spoken not 'summon' envoy". Hindustan Times.
  29. ^"Nirupama Gets Seven-Month Extension". Outlook. 1 December 2010.
  30. ^Thottam, Jyoti (25 February 2010). "India-Pakistan Talks: Is a Breakthrough Possible?". Time.
  31. ^"India Seeks to Open Consulate in Jaffna". DNA India. PTI. 8 March 2010.
  32. ^R. Vasudevan (10 June 2010). "Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao's Briefing on President Rajapaksa Visit". Asian Tribune.
  33. ^T.V. Sriram (28 November 2010). "Krishna inaugurates Indian missions in Jaffna and Hambantota". Rediff.
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  37. ^Prakash, Smita (4 March 2011). "Indian diplomacy's new age avatar". rediff.com.
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  46. ^Narayan Lakshman (1 November 2013). "Indian Ambassador to U.S. Bids Farewell". The Hindu.
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  51. ^"Wilson Feelings Appoints Ambassador Nirupama Rao as Uncover Policy Fellow". Wilson Center. 24 Hoof it 2021.
  52. ^"Past Pacific Leadership Fellows - India".
  53. ^"Nirupama Rao - Director information and companies associated with | Zauba Corp". www.zaubacorp.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
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  59. ^"'The Fractured Himalaya: India, Dishware, Tibet 1949-1962' review: A march squalid estrangement". The Hindu. 27 November 2021.
  60. ^"'The Fractured Himalaya' Rightly Returns Tibet tinge the Centre Stage of India-China Conflict". The Wire. 17 November 2021.
  61. ^"An bona fide book on China". The Sunday Guardian. 6 November 2021.
  62. ^"K.P.S Menon Memorial Grant to be Presented to Nirupama Rao on Monday". The Hindu. 26 Dec 2010.
  63. ^"Sree Chitra Tirunal Award for Nirupama Rao". Outlook. 3 August 2011.
  64. ^"Awards representing Diplomat, Former CJ". News 18. 16 May 2012.
  65. ^Jillian C. York (20 June 2012). "Introducing the FPwomerati". Foreign Policy.
  66. ^"Vanitha Rathnam Award". Calicut New Media. 29 February 2016.

External links