Life is a constant learning process

Nirupama Rao, the Indian ambassador to the United States has been a role model for many. At 60, she is being considered the ‘perfect woman at the perfect time’, (despite the fact that she technically retired from the foreign service in July) when India is increasing its presence both in Washington and on the world stage. A master’s degree holder in English literature, she published “Rain Rising,” a book of poetry in 2004 about her heritage and travels. Known for her elegance and candour, Rao was here to inaugurate the first Women’s Science Congress. Students DaysI always had interest in history and current affairs. My uncle was into the Foreign Service and I was fascinated by the job. I always wanted to get into the service though my parents wanted me to be a doctor. But I was very clear and stood my ground. After topping at both the graduate and post-graduate levels at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, and Marathwada University, Aurangabad, respectively, I appeared the civil services exams and also topped it.Retaining valuesI’m just a professional, here to do a job. To be called upon to fulfill any duty is both an honour and a challenge. My parents had taught me to be modest and always have my feet firmly on the ground. I retain my core values irrespective of the power of office I hold.Unexpected situationsI never look upon crises as obstacles. I take them as challenges. I see every situation as a process of discovery. Every experience is an opportunity to expand one’s professional knowledge. Past experiences give me the strength and chance to become a better person. Life, to me, is a constant learning process.Being a womanIn my case, gender has never been a problem in my work area. Today, women are considered no less than men in any capacity. The world is changing and changing for good.Long Distance Marriage(Laughs) As a 22-year-old IFS trainee, I met my husband Sudhakar Rao, an IAS trainee too at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. Our courtship days were full of fun. We always knew that we would have a long-distance marriage yet we had the ability to laugh at it. In that way, our relationship has been unconventional. We have lived apart for more than 15 years. When a relationship has strong bonds, nothing can affect it, not even physical distance.Bonding with childrenI have been very close to my two sons - Nikhilesh and Kartikeyan. Nikhilesh is a management graduate from Kellogg School of Management, North Western University, and the younger one Kartikeyan is pursuing Masters in Finance from London School of Economics. We share the bonding of friends more than mother-son relationship. Interests & hobbiesI love trekking, Western music, theatre and reading books, any book and every book!