Sir,

I was both startled and delightfully surprised to open Star of Mysore yesterday evening. My accolades to K.B. Ganapathy  and SOM for the tribute to India’s first female Ambassador C.B Muthamma.

I am deeply honoured that SOM chose to reprint my article (‘A Toast to Diplomats’ first published in SOM dated July 26, 2022) in its issue dated Mar. 24, 2025.

Muthamma was a role model and mentor to both women and men in the IFS as well as all those who knew her.

She possessed unflinching courage and unshakeable honesty (the real Kodava spirit!).

She made it possible for many women to attain their aspirations by clearing a path for them by fighting for the rights of women.

An iconic figure to all women in the IFS and outside, she fought and won a lonely battle for us in a conservative and male-dominated service.

Now there are so many women officers in the IFS that our Association, once, called… “Wives Association” is now

“Spouses Association.”

– Girija Madhavan, Yadavagiri, 25.3.2025

NOTE: Girija Madhavan, who has a long-time relationship with SOM, celebrated her 87th birthday on Mar.8, coinciding with International Women’s Day celebrations. Here is wishing her a belated happy birthday. —Ed