Sir CP and Shri Mataji 59th Wedding Anniversary Sydney 2006
Introducing Sir C.P. Srivastava KCMG*
Inspired by the great figure of Lal Bahadur Shastri, and with the active help and support of his wife, Chandrika Prasad Srivastava, KCMG (Sir C.P.) embarked upon his own illustrious career; first as a senior officer in the Indian Administrative Service, then as Chairman of the Indian Shipping Corporation, and ultimately as the longest-serving Secretary General in the history of the UN International Maritime Organization. The IMO is the only UN body based in London, and it was during the sixteen years that Sir C.P. was serving there that Shri Mataji first made it her mission to introduce Sahaja Yoga meditation to the world.
A remarkable man
Sir C.P. can only be described as a remarkable man, and it is hard to know where to begin when relating his extraordinary life. He has made a tremendous contribution to the international community and held many positions of public office during a distinguished career. An honourable man, he has exemplified unyielding integrity and morality in all that he has accomplished.
His roles have included: Senior Officer with several Indian Government ministries; Managing Director (and Chairman of the Board of Directors) of the Shipping Corporation of India; Joint Secretary and aide to India’s Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri for the full term of his office; and Director, Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India.
Elected to Secretary General of the IMO
From 1st of January 1974 he was unanimously elected by all member nations of the United Nations as Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) initially for a 4 year term, and then unanimously re-elected for three more terms, taking his tenure to 16 years in total. He was offered a fifth term but respectfully declined the offer as he wanted to write the biography of Lal Bahadur Shashtri. Under his stewardship member states grew in number from 86 to 134.
Sir C.P. set up the Maritime Organisations’ Maritime University, along with the International Maritime Law Institute. This has resulted in developing countries from all over the world now having qualified maritime graduates at the same level as those in the developed world.
As Sir C.P. supported Shri Mataji in Her tireless, worldwide spiritual teachings, he credits his wife as the visionary who inspired him with Her purity, tremendous strength and encouragement, thus providing the foundation for his work.
Honoured by royalty and numerous heads of state
Sir C.P. has been honoured by royalty and numerous heads of state, yet he remains an extremely humble and gentle man. The Queen of England gave him one of her country’s highest awards, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael & St George (KCMG). This honorary knighthood is a distinction rarely given, making him the first Indian to be knighted since India’s Independence.
He has also been decorated by the Kings of Sweden, Norway and Spain. Worldwide he has received in excess of 30 of the highest honours and awards in recognition of his tireless service and outstanding attributes. His most recent acknowledgement was the Padma Vibhushan, awarded by the President of India.
Sir C.P. has said that now he is retired from a political career and public life he will dedicate his life to supporting Shri Mataji to ensure the continuing growth of Her divine work through Sahaja Yoga.
[*KCMG – Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael & St George]
