On September 22, 2022, Vikram Doraiswami was appointed as the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. His life is a story of hard work, passion, and service to his country. Born into a Tamil family with roots in Kerala, India, Vikram has become one of India’s most respected diplomats. His journey is inspiring. It shows how determination and education can lead to great achievements. This article tells the story of Vikram Doraiswami’s life. It uses simple words and short sentences for easy reading. Let’s explore his life, career, and interests in detail.
Early Life And Family
Vikram Kumar Doraiswami was born on July 11, 1969, in Kerala, India. His family was a military family. His father served as an officer in the Indian Air Force. He fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. This connection to Bangladesh would later become special in Vikram’s life. Growing up, Vikram moved to many places in India. His father’s job required the family to relocate often. This helped Vikram learn about different cultures in India. He went to a residential school in South India. There, he studied hard and developed a love for learning. After school, he joined the University of Delhi. He earned a master’s degree in history. This education shaped his thinking and prepared him for his future.
Early Career
Before becoming a diplomat, Vikram tried something different. He worked as a journalist for one year. He wrote stories and learned about the world. This job helped him understand people and their problems. But Vikram wanted to serve his country in a bigger way. He decided to take the Civil Services exam. This exam is very tough. Many people try, but few succeed. Vikram worked hard and passed the exam. In 1992, he joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). This was the start of his journey as a diplomat. His hard work and determination opened new doors,
Vikram Doraiswami Age, Wiki, Biography, Salary, Native Place, Wife, Son
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vikram Kumar Doraiswami |
| Date of Birth | July 11, 1969 |
| Place of Birth | Kerala, India |
| Family Background | Born into a Tamil family; father served in the Indian Air Force and fought in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War |
| Education | Master’s degree in History from the University of Delhi |
| Early Career | Worked as a journalist for one year before joining the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1992 |
| First Diplomatic Post | Third Secretary, High Commission of India, Hong Kong (May 1994) |
| Languages Known | English, Hindi, Tamil, Chinese, French, some Korean |
| Key Diplomatic Roles | - Third Secretary, Hong Kong (1994–1996) - Second Secretary, Beijing (1996–2000) - Deputy Chief of Protocol, MEA (2000–2004) - PMO tenure (2000–2004) - Political Counsellor, UN Mission, New York (2006–2009) - Consul General, Johannesburg (2009–2011) - Head of SAARC Division (2011–2012) - Joint Secretary, Americas Division (2012–2014) - Ambassador to Uzbekistan (2014–2015) - Ambassador to South Korea (2015–2018) - Head of Bangladesh & Myanmar Division (2018–2019) - Head of Indo-Pacific Division (2019–2020) - High Commissioner to Bangladesh (2020–2022) - High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (Sept 22, 2022–Present) |
| Notable Achievements | - Organized BRICS Summit in New Delhi (2012) - Strengthened India-Bangladesh relations - Presented credentials to King Charles (2022) |
| Personal Life | Married to Sangeeta Doraiswami (psychologist and teacher); has one son |
| Hobbies | Reading (P.G. Wodehouse fan), sports, fitness, travel, listening to jazz music |
| Interesting Fact | His father’s participation in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War made his posting to Bangladesh in 2020 personally meaningful |
First Diplomatic Post
Vikram’s first job in the IFS was in Hong Kong. In May 1994, he became the Third Secretary at the High Commission of India. He was young and eager to learn. While in Hong Kong, he studied Chinese. He took a diploma course at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. This helped him understand the language and culture. After four years, he moved to Beijing, China, in 1996. He worked at the Indian Embassy there. Living in China taught him about international relations. He saw how countries work together. These experiences made him a better diplomat.
In 2000, Vikram returned to New Delhi. He worked in the Ministry of External Affairs. His job was Deputy Chief of Protocol. This meant he helped organize important events. He made sure everything ran smoothly. During this time, he also worked in the Prime Minister’s Office. He served under two prime ministers, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr. Manmohan Singh. This was a big responsibility. Vikram learned how leaders make decisions. He saw how diplomacy shapes a country’s future. These years were busy but exciting. They helped him grow as a diplomat.
Political Counsellor
In 2006, Vikram got a new role. He became the Political Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. This was a big step in his career. He worked on important global issues. He represented India at the UN. This job was challenging but rewarding. In 2009, he moved to Johannesburg, South Africa. He became India’s Consul General there. He helped Indian people living in South Africa. He also built strong ties between India and South Africa. Vikram’s work was appreciated by many. His friendly nature made him popular.
Key Diplomatic Roles
In 2011, Vikram returned to New Delhi again. He led the division for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). This group includes countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Vikram worked to bring these countries closer. He also helped organize the BRICS Summit in 2012. BRICS is a group of five countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The summit was a success. Vikram’s planning skills shone through. From 2012 to 2014, he worked as Joint Secretary in the Americas Division. He focused on India’s relations with North and South America. His work helped strengthen India’s global presence.
In 2014, Vikram became India’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan. This was his first time as an ambassador. He worked to improve ties between India and Uzbekistan. He stayed there for one year. In 2015, he moved to South Korea. He served as India’s Ambassador there until 2018. In South Korea, he learned some Korean. He also enjoyed the country’s culture. He met important leaders and built strong friendships. His time in South Korea was special. He even visited a Buddhist temple in Busan. This showed his respect for other cultures.
In 2018, Vikram returned to New Delhi. He took charge of the division for Bangladesh and Myanmar. In 2019, he started a new division for the Indo-Pacific region. This was an important job. The Indo-Pacific is a key area for global trade and security. Vikram’s work helped India play a bigger role in this region. In 2020, he became the High Commissioner to Bangladesh. This was a meaningful moment. His father had fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Now, Vikram was serving in the same country. He worked hard to strengthen India-Bangladesh ties. He stayed in this role until September 2022,
High Commissioner
In September 2022, Vikram became the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. This is one of India’s most important diplomatic posts. He presented his credentials to King Charles at Buckingham Palace. This was a proud moment for Vikram. He now works to build strong ties between India and the UK. He meets leaders, attends events, and promotes Indian culture. His work is important for both countries. Vikram’s journey as a diplomat shows his dedication to India. He has served in many countries and faced many challenges. But he always works with a smile.
Personal Life
Vikram’s personal life is also interesting. He is married to Sangeeta Doraiswami. She is a trained psychologist and works as a school teacher. They have one son. Sangeeta supports Vikram in his busy career. She teaches in the city where Vikram is posted. The family enjoys spending time together. Vikram has many hobbies. He loves reading books. His favorite writer is PG Wodehouse. Wodehouse’s funny stories make Vikram laugh. He also enjoys sports and fitness. He likes to stay active. Travel is another passion. He has visited many countries for work and fun. Jazz music is close to his heart. He listens to it to relax. Vikram speaks many languages. He knows English, Hindi, Tamil, Chinese, French, and some Korean. This helps him connect with people everywhere.
Achievement
Vikram’s life is full of achievements. He has served India for over 30 years. His journey began in a small school in South India. It took him to big cities like New York, Beijing, and London. He has worked with prime ministers, presidents, and kings. His story shows that hard work pays off. Vikram is a role model for young Indians. He proves that anyone can achieve great things with effort and passion. His love for learning and culture makes him special. He respects every country he works in. This earns him love and respect from others.
Vikram’s career is not just about work. It is about building bridges between countries. He helps people understand India better. He shares India’s culture, history, and values. His work in Bangladesh was special because of his father’s history. His role in the UK is important for India’s global image. Vikram’s life teaches us to dream big. It shows us to stay humble and kind. His story is one of service, learning, and love for his country.
Conclusion
Vikram Doraiswami’s life is a beautiful story. He was born in a military family in Kerala. He studied history and became a journalist. Then, he joined the Indian Foreign Service. He worked in Hong Kong, China, South Africa, and many other places. He served as an ambassador and high commissioner. Today, he represents India in the UK. His hobbies like reading, sports, and jazz make him interesting. His wife and son support him. Vikram’s journey is full of lessons. It tells us to work hard, learn new things, and respect others. His life is an inspiration for all.