Mainstream
Mainstream, VOL LIX No 21, New Delhi, May 8, 2021
Review Essay: ‘Intertwined Lives: PN Haksar and Indira Gandhi’, by Jairam Ramesh | KS Subramanian
Saturday 8 May 2021
by Jairam Ramesh
This remarkable book is about Parmeshwar Narain Haksar arguably India’s most influential and powerful civil servant under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Haksar was Indira Gandhi’s alter ego during her period of glory. The eminent administrator and diplomat, was educated in Allahabad and London; and was called to the Bar from Lincoln ‘s Inn. He studied Physics, Mathematics, Anthropology and Law. He became a diplomat in independent India under the inspiration of Jawaharlal Nehru and served in Lagos, Vienna and London as well as New York and Geneva in different capacities. Thereafter, he was Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat (1967-1971); Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister (1971-1973); Member, Atomic Energy and Space Commission (1967-1977) and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission (1975-1977).