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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox Officeholder
{{Infobox Officeholder
| name               = V. M. M. Nair
|name         = V. M. M. Nair
| birth_name        = Vallilath Madhathil Madhavan Nair
|native_name  =  
| image               =  
|image         =  
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|df=no|1919|10|08}}
|birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1919|10|08|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Mangalore]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj]]<br>(present-day [[Karnataka]], India)
|birth_place   = [[Mangalore]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj]]<br>(present-day [[Karnataka]], India)
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2021|10|06|1919|10|08|df=y}}
|death_date   =  
| death_place         = [[Mayur Vihar|Mayur Vihar Phase I]],
|death_place   =  
[[Delhi]], India
|party         =  
| nationality        = [[Indian people|Indian]]
|spouse       =  
| party               =  
|alma_mater   = Christian College School ([[University of Madras]])<br>[[Brasenose College, Oxford]]<br>[[Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge]]
| spouse             = Krishnakumari Nair
|religion      =  
| alma_mater         = {{Unbulleted_list|Christian College School<br>([[University of Madras]])|[[Brasenose College, Oxford]]|[[Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge]]}}
|awards       =  
| children            = 2
|signature    =  
| awards             =  
| website            = https://vmmnair.com
}}
}}


'''Vallilath Madhathil Madhavan Nair''' (8 October 1919 – 6 October 2021) was an Indian civil servant and diplomat. He was the last living officer from either the [[Indian Civil Service]] or the [[Indian Political Service]].<ref name="oldest_ICS">{{cite news|url=https://www.whispersinthecorridors.com/detail/38747-V-M-M-Nair,-India%E2%80%99s-oldest-ICS-officer%E2%80%99s-100th-birthday-on-Oct-8|title=V M M Nair, India's oldest ICS officer's 100th birthday on Oct. 8 |date=8 October 2019|access-date=21 March 2020|newspaper=Whispers in the Corridors}}</ref>
'''Vallilath Madhathil Madhavan Nair''' (born 8 October 1919) is a retired Indian civil servant and diplomat. He is the last living former officer of either the [[Indian Civil Service]] or the [[Indian Political Service]].<ref name="oldest_ICS">{{cite news|url=https://www.whispersinthecorridors.com/detail/38747-V-M-M-Nair,-India%E2%80%99s-oldest-ICS-officer%E2%80%99s-100th-birthday-on-Oct-8|title=V M M Nair, India's oldest ICS officer's 100th birthday on Oct. 8 |date=8 October 2019|access-date=21 March 2020|newspaper=Whispers in the Corridors}}</ref>


==Background and family==
==Background and family==
 
Nair was born into a distinguished family of civil servants and lawyers; his father Chettur Karunakaran Nair was an Indian Imperial Police officer who served as a district superintendent in the Madras Presidency. His uncle Sir [[C. Madhavan Nair]] was a judge of the Madras High Court who served as Advocate-General of Madras from 1923 to 1924, while his great-uncle Sir [[C. Sankaran Nair]] was President of the [[Indian National Congress]] in 1897 and Advocate-General of Madras from 1906 to 1908.<ref name="oldest_ICS"/> He is married to '''Krishnakumari Nair''' and has two children, a son and a [[:es:Parvati Nair|daughter]]. Since his retirement, he has resided in New Delhi.  
Nair was born into a distinguished family of civil servants and lawyers; his father Chettur Karunakaran Nair was an [[Indian Imperial Police]] officer who served as a district superintendent in the [[Madras Presidency]]. His uncle [[Sir]] [[C. Madhavan Nair]] was a judge of the Madras High Court who served as Advocate-General of Madras from 1923 to 1924, while his great-uncle Sir [[C. Sankaran Nair]] was President of the [[Indian National Congress]] in 1897 and Advocate-General of Madras from 1906 to 1908.<ref name="oldest_ICS"/> He was married to Krishnakumari Nair<ref name=TheHindu-Obit/> and has two children,<ref>https://vmmnair.com/marriage/</ref> a son and a [[:es:Parvati_Nair|daughter]]. After his retirement, he resided in [[New Delhi]].


==Education and early career==
==Education and early career==
 
He was educated at [[Brasenose College, Oxford]] and at [[Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge]]. In July 1942, he was selected for the second-to-last batch of the [[Indian Civil Service]], both the smallest-ever batch of the ICS and the last for which direct nominations were made by the India Office in London. He was subsequently posted to Bihar Province as an assistant collector and magistrate.<ref name="nair">{{cite book|pages=286|title=The India Office and Burma Office List: 1947|publisher=Harrison & Sons, Ltd.|year=1947}}</ref> In 1946, he transferred to the Foreign and Political Department (the Indian Political Service).<ref name="oldest_ICS" />
He was educated at [[Brasenose College, Oxford]] and at [[Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge]]. In July 1942, he was selected for the second-to-last batch of the [[Indian Civil Service]], both the smallest-ever batch of the ICS and the last for which direct nominations were made by the [[India Office]] in London. He was subsequently posted to Bihar Province as an assistant collector and magistrate.<ref name="nair">{{cite book|pages=286|title=The India Office and Burma Office List: 1947|publisher=Harrison & Sons, Ltd.|year=1947}}</ref> In 1946, he transferred to the Foreign and Political Department (the Indian Political Service).<ref name="oldest_ICS" />


===Tibet initiative===
===Tibet initiative===
 
As a deputy secretary, Nair and his colleagues in the Department of External Affairs were ivolved in a British initiative to supply arms to Tibet.<ref name="arms">{{cite news|url=https://orientalreview.org/2013/08/12/arms-and-the-elephant-i/|title=Arms and the elephant |date=12 August 2013|access-date=23 April 2020|newspaper=Oriental Review}}</ref> With Indian independence imminent, the British government determined to maintain a certain level of influence in the largely autonomous state and gain some leverage over the Chinese government, even to the extent of arming "peace-loving monks".<ref name="arms" /> In February 1946, British political agents encouraged Tibet to purchase 382,162 rupees (£28,662. 3s. 0d.; equivalent to £{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|28662.15|1946|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation-year|UK}}{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}).<ref>{{cite book|page=137|title=The Statesman's Year-Book|publisher=The Macmillan Company|year=1946}}</ref> worth of weapons. The suggested purchases, intended to equip a brigade-level force, included 2- and 3-inch mortars, Bren and Sten guns, rifles and Verey pistols. Though this shipment was delivered to Lhasa in May 1947, some difficulties remained over approvals for ammunition. On 5 August 1947, Nair observed any disturbances in Tibet would have geopolitical consequences in areas bordering both India and Pakistan. He suggested both governments send Tibet ammunition from their joint supply ahead of partition. This was done, and the ammunition arrived in Tibet in January 1948.<ref name="arms" />  
As a deputy secretary, Nair and his colleagues in the Department of External Affairs were involved in a British initiative to supply arms to Tibet.<ref name="arms">{{cite news|url=https://orientalreview.org/2013/08/12/arms-and-the-elephant-i/|title=Arms and the elephant |date=12 August 2013|access-date=23 April 2020|newspaper=Oriental Review}}</ref> With Indian independence imminent, the British government determined to maintain a certain level of influence in the largely autonomous state and gain some leverage over the Chinese government, even to the extent of arming "peace-loving monks".<ref name="arms" /> In February 1946, British political agents encouraged Tibet to purchase 382,162 rupees (£28,662. 3s. 0d.; equivalent to £{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|28662.15|1946|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation-year|UK}}{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}).<ref>{{cite book|page=137|title=The Statesman's Year-Book|publisher=The Macmillan Company|year=1946}}</ref> worth of weapons. The suggested purchases, intended to equip a brigade-level force, included 2- and 3-inch mortars, Bren and Sten guns, rifles and Verey pistols. Though this shipment was delivered to Lhasa in May 1947, some difficulties remained over approvals for ammunition. On 5 August 1947, Nair observed any disturbances in Tibet would have geopolitical consequences in areas bordering both India and Pakistan. He suggested both governments send Tibet ammunition from their joint supply ahead of partition. This was done, and the ammunition arrived in Tibet in January 1948.<ref name="arms" />


==Later career==
==Later career==
After Indian independence, Nair transferred to the newly organised [[Indian Foreign Service]] and was promoted to senior under-secretary by 1949.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |page=1220  |date=3 September 1949 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> He was then posted to the Cairo embassy as first secretary, where he was appointed acting ''[[charge d'affaires]]'' on 19 April 1951.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |page=119  |date=28 April 1951 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
After Indian independence, Nair transferred to the newly organised [[Indian Foreign Service]] and was promoted to senior under-secretary by 1949.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |page=1220  |date=3 September 1949 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> He was then posted to the Cairo embassy as first secretary, where he was appointed acting ''[[charge d'affaires]]'' on 19 April 1951.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |page=119  |date=28 April 1951 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>


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*Ambassador of India to [[Morocco]] and accredited to Tunisia (15 January 1971)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |page=413 |date=13 March 1971|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
*Ambassador of India to [[Morocco]] and accredited to Tunisia (15 January 1971)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |page=413 |date=13 March 1971|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
*Ambassador of India to [[Francoist Spain|Spain]] (13 February 1975)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |page=788 |date=24 May 1975|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
*Ambassador of India to [[Francoist Spain|Spain]] (13 February 1975)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |page=788 |date=24 May 1975|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
His personal website [https://vmmnair.com vmmnair.com] carries more details of his career.


==Death==
Nair died on 6 October 2021 at the age of 101 in his flat in [[Mayur Vihar|Mayur Vihar Phase I]], two days before his 102nd birthday.<ref>{{Cite web|title=വി.എം.എം. നായർ അന്തരിച്ചു|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2021/10/06/vmm-nair-passes-away.html|access-date=2021-10-07|website=ManoramaOnline|language=ml}}</ref><ref name=TheHindu-Obit>{{Cite news|date=2021-10-06|title=Ex-diplomat V.M.M. Nair passes away|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ex-diplomat-vmm-nair-passes-away/article36867844.ece|access-date=2021-10-07|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://vmmnair.com/ Memoir]
*[https://vmmnair.com/ Memoir]


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nair, V. M. M.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nair, V. M. M.}}
[[Category:1919 births]]
[[Category:1919 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Cambodia]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Poland]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Morocco]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Spain]]
[[Category:High Commissioners of India to Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Alumni of Brasenose College, Oxford]]
[[Category:Alumni of Brasenose College, Oxford]]
[[Category:Alumni of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Alumni of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge]]
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[[Category:Indian Civil Service (British India) officers]]
[[Category:Indian Civil Service (British India) officers]]
[[Category:Men centenarians]]
[[Category:Men centenarians]]
[[Category:People from Mangalore]]

Latest revision as of 00:12, 4 January 2022


V. M. M. Nair
Personal details
Born (1919-10-08) 8 October 1919 (age 106)
Mangalore, Madras Presidency, British Raj
(present-day Karnataka, India)
Alma materChristian College School (University of Madras)
Brasenose College, Oxford
Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge

Vallilath Madhathil Madhavan Nair (born 8 October 1919) is a retired Indian civil servant and diplomat. He is the last living former officer of either the Indian Civil Service or the Indian Political Service.[1]

Background and family[edit | edit source]

Nair was born into a distinguished family of civil servants and lawyers; his father Chettur Karunakaran Nair was an Indian Imperial Police officer who served as a district superintendent in the Madras Presidency. His uncle Sir C. Madhavan Nair was a judge of the Madras High Court who served as Advocate-General of Madras from 1923 to 1924, while his great-uncle Sir C. Sankaran Nair was President of the Indian National Congress in 1897 and Advocate-General of Madras from 1906 to 1908.[1] He is married to Krishnakumari Nair and has two children, a son and a daughter. Since his retirement, he has resided in New Delhi.

Education and early career[edit | edit source]

He was educated at Brasenose College, Oxford and at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. In July 1942, he was selected for the second-to-last batch of the Indian Civil Service, both the smallest-ever batch of the ICS and the last for which direct nominations were made by the India Office in London. He was subsequently posted to Bihar Province as an assistant collector and magistrate.[2] In 1946, he transferred to the Foreign and Political Department (the Indian Political Service).[1]

Tibet initiative[edit | edit source]

As a deputy secretary, Nair and his colleagues in the Department of External Affairs were ivolved in a British initiative to supply arms to Tibet.[3] With Indian independence imminent, the British government determined to maintain a certain level of influence in the largely autonomous state and gain some leverage over the Chinese government, even to the extent of arming "peace-loving monks".[3] In February 1946, British political agents encouraged Tibet to purchase 382,162 rupees (£28,662. 3s. 0d.; equivalent to £Error when using {{Inflation}}: |index=UK (parameter 1) not a recognized index. in Template:Inflation-yearTemplate:Inflation-fn).[4] worth of weapons. The suggested purchases, intended to equip a brigade-level force, included 2- and 3-inch mortars, Bren and Sten guns, rifles and Verey pistols. Though this shipment was delivered to Lhasa in May 1947, some difficulties remained over approvals for ammunition. On 5 August 1947, Nair observed any disturbances in Tibet would have geopolitical consequences in areas bordering both India and Pakistan. He suggested both governments send Tibet ammunition from their joint supply ahead of partition. This was done, and the ammunition arrived in Tibet in January 1948.[3]

Later career[edit | edit source]

After Indian independence, Nair transferred to the newly organised Indian Foreign Service and was promoted to senior under-secretary by 1949.[5] He was then posted to the Cairo embassy as first secretary, where he was appointed acting charge d'affaires on 19 April 1951.[6]

Over the course of his career, Nair held the following appointments:

  • Deputy Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (24 August 1953)[7]
  • Deputy High Commissioner of India to Ceylon (12 August 1955)[8]
  • Acting High Commissioner of India to Ceylon (6 October 1956 to 8 April 1957)[9][10]
  • Commissioner of India to Singapore and the Federation of Malaya (2 May 1957)[11]
  • High Commissioner of India to the Federation of Malaya and Commissioner of India to Singapore (12 September 1957 to 20 June 1958)[12][13]
  • Ambassador of India to Cambodia (relinquished 3 August 1960)[14]
  • Ambassador of India to Norway (10 December 1960)[15]
  • Ambassador of India to Poland (24 June 1967)[16]
  • Ambassador of India to Morocco and accredited to Tunisia (15 January 1971)[17]
  • Ambassador of India to Spain (13 February 1975)[18]

His personal website vmmnair.com carries more details of his career.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "V M M Nair, India's oldest ICS officer's 100th birthday on Oct. 8". Whispers in the Corridors. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  2. ↑ The India Office and Burma Office List: 1947. Harrison & Sons, Ltd. 1947. p. 286.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Arms and the elephant". Oriental Review. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  4. ↑ The Statesman's Year-Book. The Macmillan Company. 1946. p. 137.
  5. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 3 September 1949. p. 1220.
  6. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 28 April 1951. p. 119.
  7. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 3 October 1953. p. 344.
  8. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 27 August 1955. p. 404.
  9. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 20 October 1956. p. 534.
  10. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 16 November 1957. p. 673.
  11. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 18 May 1957. p. 282.
  12. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 19 October 1957. p. 617.
  13. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 19 July 1958. p. 406.
  14. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 24 September 1960. p. 595.
  15. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 31 December 1960. p. 803.
  16. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 19 August 1967. p. 824.
  17. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 13 March 1971. p. 413.
  18. ↑ "Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs". The Gazette of India. 24 May 1975. p. 788.

External links[edit | edit source]

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