Welcome Remarks by Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF

The VIF is delighted to organise this function to release Ambassador Surendra Kumar’s book ‘Who Should Say Sorry for Two Millennia of Injustices?’, brought out by Har Anand Publication Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi. The VIF is an independent, non-partisan think tank that was established in 2009. Over the years we have organised several events to facilitate a dialogue on issues of national importance. Ambassador Surendra Kumar’s book provides a glimpse into his thinking on the burning issues of our times and a welcome addition to the ongoing debate in the country. We are honoured to have you all for today’s function.

I would like to begin by extending a warm welcome to our Chief Guest Dr Sonal Mansingh, Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha and world renowned exponent of Indian culture. She is a prominent Indian classical dancer, choreographer and a teacher and social activist. She was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1992 and Padma Vibhushan in 2003.

Our special guest today is Prof. MD Nalapat, who is Director of the Department of Geopolitics of the Mainpal University. A noted academic and columnist, he has been writing on geopolitical issues for several decades. Presently, he is the Editorial Director of ITV Network. Thank you for being with us today. I also welcome Sh Narendra Kumar, the chairman of Har Anand Publication who has published Ambassdor Surendra Kumar’s book. Har Anand is a publisher of high quality and repute. They have published Ambassador Surendra Kumar’s previous works also. In the audience today we have several distinguished guests. I would like to particularly recognize Amb Rasgotra, former foreign secretary and a doyen of Indian diplomacy.

A veteran diplomat, Amb Surendra Kumar has been India’s ambassador to Libya, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo and Eretria, and High Commissioner of India to Kenya, Swaziland and Malta. He was also India’s permanent representative to UNEP and UN Habitat and has been closely associated with the participation of Indian contingent in US Peace Peeping Mission in Mozambique DRC and Eritrea. He served as the Dean of Foreign Service Institute in 2006. Ambassador Surendra Kumar is an accomplished author, having written novels, poems and several books on themes ranging from Indian Cinema to diplomacy, politics, culture and social issues.

His latest book ‘Who Should Say Sorry for Two Millennia of Injustices?’ is a collection of articles he has published in the recent years. The book covers a wide range of contemporary issues of national and social importance, ranging from politics, media, casts, education, culture and diplomacy. As the articles show, the author has a powerful pen, a keen eye, an analytical mind, candor, boldness and a sense of humor. The book shows a mirror to society. He raises difficult and uncomfortable questions that trouble an ordinary citizen. As he notes in the preface of the book, “as a mature nation, we should not avoid or evade about ourselves”. Whether readers agree or disagree with the author is immaterial. What is important is that the book should trigger an honest and open minded debate about ourselves.

Congratulating the author, I now invite Ambassador Surendra Kumar to introduce the book.