Kanwal jit singh chatrath
Kanwal Jit Singh Chatrath is an Indian Administrative Service officer from India belonging to the 1967 batch and assigned to the Odisha cadre. He has pursued advanced studies including a Ph.D. from the University of Paris XI, France, along with degrees in English Literature and Law from the University of Delhi. He is hereafter referred to as K.J.S. Chatrath.
Education
K.J.S. Chatrath completed his Ph.D. at the University of Paris XI in France. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in English Literature and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Delhi. Additionally, he earned a Masters Diploma in Public Administration from the Indian Institute of Public Administration in New Delhi.
He was awarded a Diplome after a year-long study on International Economic Relations at L'Institut Internationale de l'Administration Publique, Paris, France. He also holds a Diploma in French language from the University of Delhi and Alliance Française, New Delhi, and a Certificate in German from the Department of Modern European Languages, University of Delhi.
Career
K.J.S. Chatrath served as an officer in the Indian Administrative Service, joining in the 1967 batch and allocated to the Odisha cadre.
Travel and Exploration
K.J.S. Chatrath has travelled extensively in India and abroad, having visited 66 countries, including Antarctica, the Arctic Circle, Greenland, and Iceland. He was, perhaps, the first Indian to have climbed Rainbow Mountain (16,500 ft) in Peru in 2017, shortly after it was opened to trekkers.
Publications
K.J.S. Chatrath has written, published, edited, or co-edited 54 books.
He was granted an audience with the President of India to present copies of four coffee table books: "Parsurameswara Temple, 7th Century AD, Bhubaneswar, Odisha"; "Chausathi Yogini Temple, 9th Century AD, Hirapur, Odisha"; "Mukteshwara Temple, 10th Century AD, Bhubaneswar, Odisha"; and "Brahmeswara Temple, 11th Century AD, Bhubaneswar, Odisha." He also submitted copies of three earlier books on Odisha to the President: "The Balasore Papers 1693–1949 – A compendium of important documents relating to the Anglo-French dispute over the French Loge in Balasore, Odisha"; "Some Vignettes of Balasore and its French Loge"; and "Homage to the Brave Labour Force members of World War I – from Odisha commemorated in the Mazargues Military Cemetery, France."
His book "India in the Debates of the French Parliament" carried a Foreword by the French Ambassador to India, and its first copy was received by the President of India. The first copy of "Vers la Lumière: A Study of the French School System" was received by the Vice-President of India. "Reminiscences: Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration," of which he was Co-Editor, was released in September 2010 by the Prime Minister of India. "Homage to the Brave Labour Force members of World War I" was released by the then Chief Minister of Odisha.
While calling on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, he presented copies of 14 of his books on Indian soldiers and non-combatants who died in France during World War I, which the Minister accepted and appreciated.
His other publications include "France – a Brief Bibliography," "A Glance at France," "The French Collection" (Foreword by French Professor Dr. Gilles Tarabout), and "The Last Post: Inscriptions on French Graves in India" (Foreword by French historian Prof. Jacques Weber). He has also published coffee table books including "Priceless Icons in the Crypt of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Sofia, Bulgaria," "Colourful Caminito (Buenos Aires, Argentina)," and "Recoleta Cemetery Argentina – An Open Air Museum."
The first copy of "Go Greenland" was received by the Danish Ambassador to India, Mr. Freddy Svane, in late 2023, and the first copy of "Iceland Calling" was received by the Ambassador of Iceland to India, Mr. Guðni Bragason. His books on Mexico, "Mexico – Past & Present," "San Francisco De Campeche," and "Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)," have been appreciated by the Ambassador of Mexico to India, Mr. Federico Salas. His coffee table books on Italy have been appreciated by the Italian Embassy in India.
Blogs and Ongoing Research
K.J.S. Chatrath resides in Panchkula, where he maintains several blogs, including allo.chatrath.blogspot.com, www.fiftyplustravels.com, www.indianheritagephotos.com, and www.franophilesonly.com. He also researches and documents "Indian Soldiers in France in World War 1," a historical blog documenting the lives, service, and memorials of the British Indian Army on the Western Front, including Indian war graves, personal accounts, and historical letters relating to the experiences of over 130,000 Indian troops, available at www.indiansoldiersinfranceww1.blogspot.com.
He is currently working on a book about the contributions of little-known Frenchmen in India, and is engaged in visiting and photographing lesser-known Hindu heritage temples.
Contact Information
Email: chatrath@gmail.com