author - translator - poet - academic
From Estate to Embassy:
Memories of an Ambassador
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This biography documents K. Kesavapany’s journey from the Malayan estates in the late 1930s to his move to Singapore when he was headhunted to join the Singapore Civil Service in the 1970s, and from his entry into Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to his subsequent sojourns abroad, such as in Australia, Turkey, Geneva, Jordan, Indonesia, Russia, United Kingdom and Malaysia. After retiring from his last post with the MFA, he took on the position of Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. This book also elaborates on the next phase of his journey where he holds several prominent portfolios in Singapore’s social and academic scene, such as at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Dyslexia Association of Singapore, Singapore Indian Association, Inter-Religious Organization, as well as the Singapore International Foundation.
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ISBN - 9789814841504
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A fascinating account of Ambassador Kesavapany's remarkable journey from modest origins to a distinguished career in public service and diplomacy ... written with his characteristic brevity, wit, charm and candor, it also offers the authors' personal glimpse into Singapore's evolution since independence and of his peers and friends who helped shape it"
HE Jawed Ashraf, High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Singapore
A distinguished diplomat's understated record of a long and dedicated service to his nation.
Ravi Velloor, Associate Editor, The Straits Times
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This book is more than a memoire of a diplomat. Pany gives us a feel of the societies that he lived in, an insight into the rapid changes in Malaysia and Singapore during his lifetime, as well as the challenges facing Singapore as we become a middle aged society.
Ambassador Barry Desker, Distinguished Fellow, RSIS, Nanyang Technological University
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