Page "K. R. Narayanan" Paragraph 7

When Narayanan returned to India in 1948, Laski gave him a letter of introduction to Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Years later he narrated how he began his career in the public service: When I finished with LSE, Laski, of his own, gave me a letter of introduction for Panditji.

On reaching Delhi I sought an appointment with the PM.

I suppose, because I was an Indian student returning home from London, I was given a time-slot.

It was here in Parliament House that he met me.

We talked for a few minutes about London and things like that and I could soon see that it was time for me to leave.

So I said goodbye and as I left the room I handed over the letter from Laski, and stepped out into the great circular corridor outside.

When I was half way round, I heard the sound of someone clapping from the direction I had just come.

I turned to see Panditji beckoning me to come back.

He had opened the letter as I left his room and read it.

asked: " Why didn't you give this to me earlier?

" KRN replied: " Well, sir, I am sorry.

I thought it would be enough if I just handed it over while leaving.

" After a few more questions, he asked me to see him again and very soon I found myself entering the Indian Foreign Service.