Riva Ganguly Das examines a model of the India Pavilion in the Indian Consulate General in Shanghai. Photos: Cai Xianmin

By Qiu Chen

When Riva Ganguly Das, the Consul General of India in Shanghai, worked in Bangladesh, it was her then-10-year-old daughter who sometimes took care of her young son when she was busy working. In the Netherlands, Das's 11-year-old son sometimes helped her read local newspapers and letters because he was the only one in the family who could read Dutch.

In her 24-year career as a diplomat, Das has found fulfillment in representing her country abroad and in helping people, but within her own family, she is the one who is helped - by her parents, her relatives, her husband and most importantly, her two children. Whenever she works overseas, she has taken her children, whose companionship and support have been instrumental when it comes to establishing a new home in a new city.

"Our relationship is not age-related. Sometimes, the youngest helps the most," Das said with a big smile on her face. "We take care of each other like a team."

Her daughter is now 22 and studies at a university in the US. Her son, 16, lives with her in Shanghai and studies at an international school.

"I am lucky to have my loved ones' support," Das told the Global Times. "I am happy that I have been able to establish a balance between my career and my family, and can have the satisfaction of seeing my children grow up and also make a meaningful contribution through my work." 

Full house

Das grew up in New Delhi, India's capital, as an only child, but in a household that included her grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Das has always been very fond of reading and her fascination for the outside world grew through the books she read and the stories she heard from relatives who lived abroad.

"At a very young age, I was very sure that I wanted to have a career," she said. In 1984, Das earned a post-graduate degree in political science from Delhi University. Her first job was teaching political science to college students in Delhi. In 1986, she passed the Indian civil services examination, and opted to join the Indian Foreign Service and has worked for the government ever since.

When asked about the position of women in India, Das said Indian women play an important role both within the family and outside and make a significant contribution to society. "Women were extremely active in India's freedom struggle and since independence, Indian women have been given equal opportunities in every area, including their political rights as well as equal opportunities for education and work," Das said. "Women are very active in politics in India and it is common to see women in very senior positions, not only in government and business, but in all walks of life."

Career fulfillment

Das's first posting was in Spain. She learnt Spanish at the university in Madrid and thus got a chance to get to know a lot of students there. Being in Madrid gave her the chance to travel all over Spain. 

Das went to work in Bangladesh as the Head of the Cultural Wing of the High Commission of India in 1998. She returned to India in 2001 and then moved to the Netherlands as the Deputy Chief of Mission in the Indian Embassy at The Hague in 2005. Das has always enjoyed her stints at headquarters in Delhi, which give an opportunity to connect to the people. She was particularly happy with her job as Passport Officer in Jaipur, which gave her a chance to help people in the most direct way possible.

"The best part about working in government service is that it gives me the opportunity to work for my country and the people," Das said. "Even though the work being done by diplomats may sometimes seem very remote, it is nevertheless a job that brings immense satisfaction. The only sad part of a diplomat's life is that postings come to an end and one has to leave one's friends behind and move on to a new place. Today, however, thanks to technology one can remain in touch with people long after leaving a country."

Sharing a life away from home

In 1988 Das got married. The next year, she gave birth to her daughter. Her son was born in 1994. For the sake of her family, she did not take an overseas post until 1998. "It was my choice. I did not want to leave my very young children behind," Das said. "I try to balance my career and my family to make sure my career does not make my family suffer."

In a similar way, she and her husband have had to take some difficult decisions. Although her children travel overseas with her, her husband lives and works in India. They try and meet as often as possible. 

"Going to a new country is always very challenging initially. You have to establish a house and make it feel like a home. There are always a lot of adjustments you have to make," Das said.

"It is so nice to have my children with me to deal with this together. Though they have had to change schools many times they have become very strong traveling with us from one country to another, so they not only can take care of themselves, but help me as well. Besides, my husband is always a strong source of support for me."

Now having spent two years in Shanghai, she feels at home with her son in this city. On weekends, they watch movies together and try to go to at least one concert a month. "Shanghai is a fascinating city which has much to offer to those who have interest in music and art," Das said.

"As they grow up, children become like friends. There are so many things I can share with my children," Das said, smiling.

Due to their closeness, the children share a lot of hobbies with their mother. In the future, they may have the same career path as her.

"For both of my children, diplomacy is a career they like. They are familiar with a diplomat's life," Das said.