T.P Sreenivasan on acceptance speech of the “Dynamic Indian of the Millennium Award”

My journey here is the longest I have ever undertaken in my life. I am not referring to the journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Coimbatore yesterday, but the long journey of 72 years to travel from the total anonymity of a boy in a village to be recognized as a “Dynamic Indian of the Millennium”. That journey took me through the portals of myriad educational institutions, landed me in the elite Indian Foreign Service and took me and my wife to the farthest corners of the globe, through climates salubrious and harsh, through small towns and glittering cities with comforts and conveniences out of this world. We travelled in the humblest of boats to supersonic aircraft, spoke various languages, enjoyed the gruel of Indian farmers in Burma and the richest of royal repasts in chandeliered halls in many countries. We drank tasteless kava in Fiji and the costliest and delicious champagne from the choicest vineyards of France.

Representing my country, whether at the United Nations, the Super Powers or the small South Pacific Island states was a matter of pride. Whether it was the global issues such as disarmament and environment or bilateral matters of a routine nature, I did my best for my country and the world. I had my glittering moments of glory, but also frustrating disappointments. I had more than my share of the hazards of diplomatic life, by way of two expulsions and an armed attack. I handled historic visits, tough negotiations and military coups. It was with a sense of fulfilment and joy that I left the exciting life of diplomacy in 2004.

I had no dull moment even after my return home. I served on the National Security Advisory Board and other expert bodies in India and abroad, lectured extensively, published five books, found spaces in publications like the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Hindu and the Indian Express. I helped found two institutions, the Kerala International Centre and the NSS Academy of Civil Services. At the request of the Government of Kerala, I spent nearly five years to reform higher education in the state. My efforts to modernize higher education had some successes, but also resistance and intolerance.

My long journey has brought me here to receive recognition as a “Dynamic Indian”, together with nine other distinguished men, who have accomplished much more than I have done. Astonishingly, the recognition has come to me not from anyone whom I served, helped or even known, but from Padmasree Dr.G.Bhaktavatsalam, Chairman, KG Foundation, a more dynamic Indian than all of us, who has been on the lookout for leaders, who have broken free from barriers and hurdles and have achieved success. He appears to have been persuaded by my dear friend, Dr.Jebamalai, who is also being honoured today. I am grateful to all those who have contributed to this singular honour.

If my career appeared dynamic, the credit should go to India’s standing, reputation and foreign policy, which has never been static. India, under its Prime Ministers from Pandit Nehru to Narendra Modi, has had a dynamic foreign policy. Historic events have taken place during my time, such as the Bangladesh liberation, nuclear tests, collapse of the Soviet Union, the Gulf war, the 9/11 terrorist attacks and others. Each of these has been a challenge to Indian foreign policy, which has been characterized in different eras as idealistic, pragmatic, globalized and assertive. But it has always been in tune with the needs of the times and the interests of the country. We still have much to accomplish and we have not been given the recognition we deserve. But it has been an exciting time for Indian diplomats and I see this recognition as an acknowledgement of my contribution. The Foundation has honoured 250 eminent men and women so far, including APJ Abdul Kalam and KJ Jesudas, but this is the first time that an Indian diplomat is being honoured and that is a matter of pride for me and the Indian Foreign Service.

I do recognize that the journey ahead will be harder and more hazardous, not just because the flesh cannot always cope with the spirit anymore, but because the expectation will be higher, as I have been recognized by Dr.Bhaktavatsalam, whose life itself is a message of selfless service to mankind. My pledge is only that I shall try and live up to his expectations and ideals.