Xpat Interview: Former Ambassador of India, HE Mr Gauri Shankar Gupta

  • 15 Jan 2013 11:00 AM
Xpat Interview: Former Ambassador of India, HE Mr Gauri Shankar Gupta
Gauri Shankar Gupta was born in Ajitgarh, a small village in Rajasthan, India. He spent his childhood in rural milieu and did his Masters in Business Management. Gupta is a recipient of many gold medals and awards for excellence during his academic career. He is also member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.

After serving in private sector for three years, Gupta joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1981. Since then, he has served in various capacities in Belgium, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Mexico, France and the Philippines.

During his assignment in France he was Alternate-Member of the Executive Board of UNESCO.

Gupta was India’s Ambassador to Mongolia from June 2003 to September 2006. Subsequently, he was Head of Administration in the Ministry of External Affairs of India from October 2006 to February 2010. Presently, he is serving as India’s Ambassador to Hungary and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

His book “Mongolia : The Land of Blue Skies” was published by Roli Books, India in December 2007. Subsequently, two of his poetry books “Droplets” and “Chand Lamhe” were published by Star Publications, New Delhi in 2008 and 2010. Recently in September 2012, Mr.Gupta has published a book titled “Unraveling Mysteries of Life - Modern Science and Ancient Wisdom”.

This book has been published both in Europe and India in English language. A separate Hungarian edition has also been published. Mr. Gupta has also contributed many articles on foreign policy and related issues and has presided over several conferences on a variety of subjects. A fluent speaker of French and Spanish, Gauri Shankar Gupta has travelled widely to over 70 countries around the world.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
In April, 2010. I was appointed as Ambassador of India to Hungary and Bosnia.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes in many places including Belgium, France and Mexico. The Philippines and Mongolia.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Its people-friendly and hospitable.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Parliament, Citadella, Castle, Vaci utca, and Baths.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Hungarian fish soup.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Milk and Juice.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Koszonom.

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Indian Festivals & Marriages.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
My present carrier is great. I will like to combine it with scientific talks on basic issues of life.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Job of a butcher.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Austria.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Hungary.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Sports.

14. What can't you resist?
Beauty of Nature.

15. Red wine or white?
Red wine.

16. Book or movie?
Book.

17. Morning person or night person?
Morning person.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Poverty and deprivation despite reckless destruction of nature.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest side.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Self-education & Improvement.

  • How does this interview make you feel?