B'day Special: Mani Shankar Aiyar “ the diplomat-turned-Politician

Mani Shankar Aiyar, the Indian diplomat turned politician is a staunch congressmanHe will be contesting the Lok Sabha Elections for Mayiladuthurai constituency in Tamil Nadu. In the 15th Lok Sabha, he contested for the same seat but was defeated by O.S. Manian, a candidate from AIADMK. He was Congress MP from Mayiladuthurai in 1991 when he pledged that he would make this land ‘Dubai' of India. He's won thrice since and Dubai still seems as distant as the end of the rainbow. Mani Shankar is currently a nominated member of Rajya Sabha. Mani Shankar Aiyar is infamous for his witty comments and satires. He is an insatiable reader and a lover of good music. On his 73rd birthday let us know more about Mani Shankar Aiyar:Mani Shankar Aiyar was born on 10th April, 1941 in Laxmi Mansions in Lahore. His father, Late V. Sankar Aiyar was a Chartered Accountant. He died in an air crash when Mani Shankar was only 12 years old. Following his death, Mani Sahankar's mother, S. Bhagylakshmi, was deeply concerned about his education. The family faced heavy financial crisis during that period.So in order to give her son outstanding education, she requested Doon School authorities to allow him to continue his studies at concessional fee. In return, she taught at the school. Mani Shankar Aiyar acknowledges that he owes his excellent command over the English languages to his mother.Mani Shankar Aiyar's brother, Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar is a prominent Indian journalist and columnist. He is the consulting editor for the Economic Times and writes regularly for the Economic Times and The Times of India.Mani Shankar Aiyar is married to Suneet Mani Aiyar. The couple has been blessed with three daughters. Mani Shankar Aiyar is a proud Alumni of St Stephen's college. Time has not eroded his memories and pride associated with the college. He is often under scrutiny for demeaning other eminent DU colleges in an attempt to boast of St Stephen College. After graduating from St Stephen's college, Mani Shankar enrolled himself at Trinity Hall at the Cambridge University. It is from here that he stepped into student politics. Mani Shankar Aiyar received immense support from Rajiv Gandhi as he contested the student's presidential elections. Rajiv Gandhi was his junior in both Doon School and Cambridge University. In 1963, Mani Shankar Aiyar joined Indian Foreign Service. Here he served as the Joint Secretary to the Government of India. But destiny had some other plans in store for him. He resigned from this post in 1989 and entered mainstream politics. Presently he is one of the key players in policy formulation and coordination in the Congress Party.Mani Shankar Aiyar has written many books, that add to his credit. He has written several books. Some of them are: Pakistan Papers and Remembering Rajiv, and has edited a four-volume publication of Rajiv Gandhi's India.Mani Shankar Aiyar has led a very eventful life. Stuck between controversies, he manages to wade out with his witty remarks and play of words. He has keen interest in India's International policies and relations with neighboring countries. Samajwadi Party leaders have termed him as Pakistani Spy, for his reluctance to discuss issues evolving aroubd death of Indian soldiers at the borders. Recently he was lambasted for his comment on BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate. He said, “There is no way he can be Prime Minister in the 21st century... but if he wants to come and distribute tea here we can make some room for him”.In 2010 Mani Shankar Aiyar was conferred a 'Honorary Fellow of Trinity Hall' by his alma mater Cambridge University. He has served as the Union cabinet minister in Dr Manmohan Singh administration. Mani Shankar Aiyar is one of the founders of Society for Secularism. In 2006 he was awarded ‘Outstanding Parliamentarian Award'. One of his very famous quotes are – “Every five years, it is the masses who determine who will form the government. And in between those five years the classes determine what that government will do”.