By R M Austin I do not propose to spend much time writing about the impressive achievements of Shridath Surendranath Ramphal. This has been done in good measure by the many, including diplomats and politicians, who expressed condolences on the occasion of his passing on 30th August, 2024. I prefer to speak of him as I had known him from the time I entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the time of his death.
It is a remarkable fact that regardless of the capacity in which he was serving, Shridath Ramphal always found the time to answer any query I made. Before I proceed let me emphasise that I will not make reference to Ramphal’s politics or how he conducted his personal life. I leave this to current critics of the man and those who feel dwarfed by the magnificence of his accomplishments.
Foreign Affairs I first encountered this remarkable individual when I entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the early seventies. He met me at a social event and he thought that I had been misplaced professionally by being appointed a clerk in the Public Service Commission. My background and schooling made me a good candidate for the Foreign Service.
Shridath Ramphal suggested that I report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which I did. Interviewed by Rudy Collins, I was almost immediately attached to Lloyd Searwar’s Political Section of the ministry. It was he who dispatched me to Ramphal’s office to get a letter to take to Prime Minister Burnham’s office.
Ramphal’s offi.