Ramu Damodaran never looked at the script even before the tele-prompter came into news studios. He was the son of diplomat A.K. Damodaran. Later he left the new reading job and became private secretary to Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. He also served in the Indian diplomatic missions in Moscow and at the United Nations.
Ramu Damodaran is Deputy Director for Partnerships and Public Engagement in the United Nations Department of Public Information’s Outreach Division. He was earlier Chief of its Civil Society Service from November 2002. His responsibilities focus particularly on outreach to, and partnerships with, the non-governmental, academic and private sector constituencies, as well as to the general public. The Division’s programmes include briefings to NGOs, schools, universities and visiting groups, guided tours, exhibits and responses to enquiries about the Organisation. It publishes both the UN Chronicle magazine in print and online editions and the Yearbook of the United Nations, as well commemorating special observances and arranging special events, including the annual conference of non-governmental organisations, the “Unlearning Intolerance” seminar series and the United Nations Day Concert, as well as a training programme for broadcasters and journalists from developing countries. Its most recent initiative is the United Nations Academic Impact (www.academicimpact.org).
His earlier assignments with the Organization have included the Departments of Peacekeeping and Special Political Questions as well as the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. He served as Secretary of the Secretary-General’s mission to Kuwait in 1991, following the invasion by Iraq, and as Spokesperson for the Durban Review Conference, held in Geneva in 2009. While a member of the Indian Foreign Service, he served as Executive Assistant to the Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1994. He has also served in the Indian diplomatic missions in Moscow and at the United Nations and in assignments in New Delhi with a range of governmental ministries including External Affairs, Home Affairs, Defence, Planning and Human Resource Development.Prior to joining national government service, he worked extensively in Indian mass media, including television, radio and print publications, including as a news anchor and disc jockey. His radio feature “Echoes of a Generation” was awarded the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Prize. He has been a stage actor both in India and at the United Nations and is President of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council.