jackwilson (True Core Lover): On January 10, 1999, he wrote to Natwar: "For reasons I can guess but cannot relish, the Jawaharlal Trust got my old comrade of close to sixty years to give the annual lecture (November 1998). I remember in the old days the lecture carried an honorarium of a hundred thousand rupees (plus, expenses, etc.,) which may well have been enhanced. As the only surviving original trustee, I might perhaps inquire (thought I am not doing so - this is a purely personal request) if Jyoti was offered and * 23-12-09 - 21:54:36
jackwilson (True Core Lover): declined 0r accepted any such payment..." There is no indication why Mukherjee decided to contact Natwar instead of asking Basu directly. * 23-12-09 - 21:55:21
jackwilson (True Core Lover): The book contains the gracious letter Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote to Natwar the day after he resigned in the wake of the oil-for-food scandal. "I have received your letter of 6 December 2005... I have... asked the Rashtrapati to accept your resignation," the PM wrote. * 23-12-09 - 21:55:39
jackwilson (True Core Lover): "Under your leadership, the external relations of the country have seen immense progress and we have been able to make giant strides on all fronts. In the last 17 months the prestige and standing of the nation has risen to unprecedented heights on the international plane. Your contribution to the peace process with Pakistan, moving forward our relations with neighbours and in making a historic breakthrough in our relations with the US are indeed praiseworthy accomplishments," he added. * 23-12-09 - 21:56:25