Mathai: elevated as top diplomat
By Ramesh Mathew
Indian expatriates have welcomed their former ambassador Ranjan Mathai’s appointment, as India’s next foreign secretary.Mathai, who left Doha in July 2005, after a four-year stint, is currently serving as India’s ambassador to France. He will take over as secretary of foreign affairs on August 1.
Considered as an official known for his no-nonsense approach, Mathai was very much dedicated to the interests of the community members during his Doha stint, recalled legal activist Nizar Kochery. The former ambassador worked tirelessly to establish the growing importance of India as a major power at the international level, said the lawyer. Though for most of his compatriots in Qatar, the former ambassador may have appeared to be an intense personality, he was always accessible to even commoners when his services were really required, said Kochery.
For Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) joint secretary Usha Ravishankar, the former ambassador and his wife Geeta, were always a great source of inspiration.  “I  cherish memories of the time that we spent together, mostly at Indian community events,”  said Ravishankar, who was the general secretary of ICC during Mathai’s stint as the ambassador to Qatar.
“A perfect gentleman, he epitomises a combination of simplicity and elegance. A charismatic and captivating public speaker, Mathai provided great insight on a variety of subjects,” she recalled. “As India’s top bureaucrat, Mathai, brings a great deal of experience and intellect which will surely help him  handle delicate situations, take tough decisions, provide leadership during testing times and provide innovative solutions to complex issues,” she said.
Popular humanitarian worker Abdul Khader Haji is all praise for not only Mathai but also his wife. “I knew both of them very well and had opportunities to meet them at intervals, even at private functions while they were in Doha,” said Hajikka.
“On many occasions, I do remember him contacting me over telephone to know the progress in the steps being taken for the repatriation of dead bodies to India,” recollected the elderly humanitarian worker and said he never faced any problem in meeting him even during the envoy’s official duties.
Goan Welfare Association (GWA) president Simon D’Silva mentioned the enthusiasm shown by Mathai in making Indian community events lively.
Former president of Indian Cultural and Arts Society (Incas) K K Usman remembered Mathai’s stint in Qatar as a memorable one.
“At the launch meeting of our organisation in 2001, Mathai reminded the gathering at Al Ghazal Hall that forums are meant for serving the community and not just its representatives,” revealed Usman.
Prominent social activist and head of affiliations at the ICC, Milan Arun, feels Mathai is a diplomat to the core. “He is probably the most apt person to handle the highest and the toughest job in India’s external affairs ministry,” she said. 
ICC office secretary Mohamed Ashraf  recalled the former envoy giving him CDs of Malayalam movies before he left Qatar. He also remembered Mathai for his  punctuality.
Several other members of the community also fondly recalled their association with the diplomat during his stint in Qatar and said Mathai truly deserved the top position.