AVTAR SINGH BHASIN (b. 1935). BA (HONS); MA in History. Initially he had short stints of service in the National Archives of India and the Minist r y of Defence. In 1963 he joined the Ministry of External Affairs where he served for three decades, retiring in 1993 as Director of the Historical Division. He was posted in Indian missions in Nepal, Bonn, Vienna, and Lagos. He travelled to several other countries in the discharge of his duties in the Ministry. Some of the countries visited were USA, China, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Hungary, etc. He was member of several ministerial and official delegations for discussions with various countries both in India and abroad. Since retirement he has taken to academic research. He was Senior Fellow of the Indian Council of Historical Research from 1994 - 96. He was Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Contemporary Studies, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library from 1997 to 2001. He has edited and authored several books on South Asian affairs. He also contributed many articles in newspapers on developments in the neighbouring countries. His 75 pieces on Partition and Freedom were published in the Asian Age consecutively from June 1 to August 14, 1997 coinciding with the Golden jubilee celebrations of the Indian independence. |