Double-edged diplomacy

Career diplomats write a lot""largely about themselves. In other words, memoirs and autobiographies remain their favourite forms of narrative. Before taking up Almost an Ambassador by Rajiv Dogra, I thought this book would be difficult to read and even more difficult to review. After reading it and being amused by it, one realises that there are diplomats who can look at their own kind with irony and make fun of pompous diplomacy rather than put it up on a pedestal for others to worship.

The opening lines of the book tell the reader that Doot (the protagonist) became an ambassador by chance, and then "he set himself the serious task of doing nothing". As if this is not enough, the author adds, "That, plus his tremendous passion for pleasure meant that he was never in any doubt about his diplomatic skills."

Doot's humble beginnings and his marriage to Sundari are light-heartedly described. He helps Neta win an election, and is promised an ambassadorial position which is easier to get than a bureaucratic position "because civil services do not allow outsiders in, not even at the humblest level of a peon". This is how Doot becomes the Indian Ambassador to Tertia, and off go the couple. The grandeur of their official residence in Princetown, capital of Tertia, floors them. Doot is impressed by the huge bathroom and tells his wife, "Even our cow could have a bath there." She, on her part, is impressed by the kitchen, which is so spacious that food for an entire baraat can be cooked in it. And so on, till both Doot and his wife seem absurdly out of place in their new environs.

Presenting one's credentials to the host is the first major official function for an ambassador. Yet, the way it is described in Dogra's novel, it seems a dull formality, hardly worth going through. Dogra's purpose, this reviewer feels, makes itself evident here: to subvert all the ceremonial trappings and glamour that one associates with diplomats in an effort to highlight the seamy side, even the futility, of diplomacy. Given that most career diplomats""in service or retired""consider their profession sacrosanct, Almost an Ambassador is quite a surprise""and deserving of critical attention.

One has not read Dogra's first novel and cannot compare the two, let alone comment on him as an author on the basis of just this book. As one finishes reading Almost an Ambassador, however, one gets the impression that the novelist has somewhat overdone the allegorical bit. Hindi names like Pridewallah and even Doot are too literal for such a work of fiction. One can understand his apprehensions""as a career diplomat, he feels it is safer to be as far from physical reality as possible. Fine. But overdoing it can easily detract from the merit of an otherwise finely conceived novel.

Having read this, though, it would be interesting to read Rajiv Dogra's actual memoirs (all diplomats write at least one on retirement). With his rare perspective and sense of humour, it would be rather readable as a personal account in itself, with the added bonus perhaps of his selection of (double edged?) comments on the countries where he has served.

ALMOST AN AMBASSADOR

Rajiv Dogra
Srishti
Price: Rs 145; Pages: 238