Natwar's book launch

Former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh's latest book, Walking with Lions - Tales from a Diplomatic Past, published by HarperCollins India, was first released by Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari. Since then, Natwar Singh has embarked on regional book launch, including Kolkata and Chennai. The book is a compilation of 50 articles, published in Natwar Singh's columns, which present a fascinating insight into post-Independence historical events and eminent personalities -- from Mountbatten to Rajiv Gandhi and from Emergency to Narasimha Rao's crowning as Prime Minister. He narrates his encounters and experiences with leaders from across the globe, such as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Zia-ul-Haq, Ethopian Emperor Haile Selassie and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. During his tenure as External Affairs Minister on UPA-I government formed in 2004, Natwar Singh made a promising start, till he fell by the wayside in the wake of the Volcker Report on the oil scam. Natwar Singh advised the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers to read Nehru's fortnightly letters to the state chief ministers, where he discussed foreign policy issues, explaining how the policy was framed. Natwar Singh also advised IFS officers to wear Band-Gala, instead of three-piece suit, which is Western attire. On both counts, he failed to carry conviction with them.