EXPERTISE
Mani P. R. S.
Has had an active, rich and varied career extending over 35 years. Broadcasting, military service during World War II and newspaper reporting on a people's revolution were the features of a tumultuous early period. In the course of these activities, came into contact with key personalities as well as officials, press men and cross sections of the populations of the countries of South East Asia.
From Oct. 1947, came to be associated with the Indian diplomatic service and was assigned to Indonesia, initially as a PR expert in boosting India's image in that country and followed by participation at the historic Conference on Indonesia held at New Delhi in January 1949 as a member of the Secretariat. Returned to Indonesia immediately thereafter to function as the accredited representative of the Indian Government at the capital of the Indonesian Republic at Jogjakarta. Stayed there during a critical phase till the Republic, on international recognition, moved to Jakarta in January 1950.
Following a brief spell at the Ministry of External Affairs, a vigorous round of postings to Manila, Shanghai and Hong Kong resulted in the growth and expansion of India's economic and diplomatic ties with those regions. As part of the effort was the conclusion of a Treaty of Peace and Friendship with the Republic of the Philippines and the establishment of diplomatic relations with that country. The sojourn in Shanghai in the early years of the People's Republic of China enabled both a close study of the social and economic changes in that country as well as establishing contacts with party officials playing a prominent role and some of whom continue to do so even currently. The subsequent assignment at Hong Kong provided the needed opportunity to see the sweeping changes in China through a perspicacious window so as to make balanced assessments of events.
A brief spell in Goa observing medieval Portuguese colonialism followed by three years in Bonn watching the resurgence of a new yet democratic Germany gave interval and time for reflection and comparison with the earlier experience in Asia.
Postings to Nepal and Ceylon at senior levels from 1958 to 1964 besides providing scope to study at close hand the affairs of the neighbouring countries presented opportunities to analyse and compare the affairs of Indonesia, Malaysia and Burma as part of a wider South and South East Asia System. The turbulent events in the two countries during this period enabled understanding of the basic forces behind the events such as the arrest and detention of a popularly elected Prime Minister by oligarchic forces in Nepal and the espousal of Left elements by Centrist political rulers in Ceylon - following the assassination of the Prime Minister as a means of survival. The round-up to these studies and analyses was furnished through the experience of an eighteen months assignment at the helm of Pakistan affairs at New Delhi's Foreign Ministry.
Two separate assignments to Mauritius and in different capacities have added to the rich experience and valuable background of men and affairs in South and South East Asia through the study of the African political system and its links or basic relationship with the South Asian system. Participation as a member of the Mauritius delegation in the meeting of the Organisation of African Unity was availed of to enlarge contacts and to gain greater knowledge and understanding of African nationalism.
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The culminating years of the foreign service spent in Sweden catered to the study and appreciation of how a generally sympathetic European country responded to the nationalist urges in Asia and Africa and to the extent that country was able to integrate its foreign policy interests with such urges. As a result, much knowledge and understanding was gained about the Middle Power European System and its responses over a wide spectrum to events in Asia and Africa.
Travel and Languages:
Apart from official assignments, has travelled widely in Western Europe and the U. K. Has visited the United States twice as also the Soviet Union. Has also been in Mexico, Guyana, Trinidad and Canada.
In addition to South Indian languages, Hindi and English, knows German with fluency and Bahasa Indonesia similarly. Working fluency in French.
Hobbies & Societies :
Golf and Yoga. Has been an original member of the Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi and the Indian International Centre New Delhi.
PREFERENCE: Is keen to transmute the rich experience, wide knowledge and deep understanding of the South and South East Asian System into a cohesive and comprehensive contribution through further study and research as well as greater insight into the impact of the Great Powers and Super Power Systems on those areas and not to omit the newly evolving foreign policy postures from China and its own impact on the Sub System. The last has also to be analysed in terms of the totality of world society without losing sight of the special regional features of the Sub System. It is obvious that a project as this can only be undertaken at a centre of study in the United States whose Universities and institutions provide much scope and assistance in the way of literature, monographs already published and expert guidance.
Address in India
P. R. S. Mani
Retired Ambassador
"Sadhana",
1/14, ULSOOR ROAD
BANGALORE - 560 042,
S. INDIA Tel: 5 7 6 1 0 2.
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