Chandrika Prasad Srivastava, International Civil Servant
International Civil Servant

Chandrika Prasad Srivastava

Born 8 July 1920 · Uttar Pradesh — Died 22 July 2013

Led the International Maritime Organization as Secretary-General from 1974 to 1989.

Chandrika Prasad Srivastava IAS (Retd.) was an Indian civil servant, international administrator, and diplomat.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Chandrika Prasad Srivastava was the first Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization from a developing country, serving an unprecedented 16 years from 1974 to 1989.

The Story

1
🌊 Born in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh in 1920, Chandrika Prasad Srivastava’s journey took him from a religious Kayastha family to becoming the longest-serving Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, transforming global maritime governance forever.
2
In 1949, he entered the Indian Administrative Service, embarking on a civil service career that would place him at the heart of India’s post-independence bureaucratic evolution.
3🚢 From 1966 to 1973, Srivastava was the first chief executive of the Shipping Corporation of India, shaping it into one of India’s most successful public sector companies and catching the attention of the international maritime community.
4Between 1964 and 1966, he worked closely as joint secretary to Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, navigating the corridors of power during a pivotal era in India’s history.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1972, Srivastava was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his role in making the Shipping Corporation of India a leading public sector enterprise, a rare civilian honor for a bureaucrat focused on maritime affairs.

🖼️

Through the Years

2 photographs from the archives
Official portraits of past IMO Secretary-Generals including Lt. Chandrika Prasad Srivastava in an institutional setting, 2023.
Official portraits of past IMO Secretary-Generals including Lt. Chandrika Prasad Srivastava in an institutional setting, 2023.
2023
Lt. Chandrika Prasad Srivastava during his tenure as IMO Secretary-General, signing documents and in meetings, 1974-1989.

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh
Chandrika Prasad Srivastava was born into a religious Chitraguptvanshi Kayastha family near Lucknow, beginning his journey in northern India.
1920
⚡
Career
Joined Indian Administrative Service
Srivastava entered the IAS, marking the start of his bureaucratic career in post-independence India.
1949
⚡
Career
Joint Secretary to PM Lal Bahadur Shastri
Serving from 1964 to 1966, he was a close aide to Prime Minister Shastri during a critical period in India’s political history.
1964
⚡
Career
First CEO of Shipping Corporation of India
He led the corporation from 1966 to 1973, turning it into one of India's most successful public sector undertakings.
1966
⚡
Career
Elected IMO Secretary-General
Srivastava became the first Secretary-General from a developing country, beginning a 16-year tenure transforming the IMO.
1974
⚡
Career
Founded World Maritime University
As founding Chancellor, he established this Swedish university to train maritime professionals globally, especially from developing nations.
1983
⚡
Career
Retired as IMO Secretary-General
After 16 years, he retired and was named Secretary-General Emeritus, declining a fifth term to write about Lal Bahadur Shastri.
1989
🏅
Award
Received honorary knighthood (KCMG)
Queen Elizabeth II honored him for his service to world shipping with an honorary knighthood.
1990
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Genoa, Italy
Srivastava died aged 93, leaving behind a legacy in international maritime administration.
2013
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

During his tenure at IMO, he transformed it from a "rich man’s club" of shipping magnates into a democratic organization where developing countries held two-thirds of the membership by 1989.

02 / 05
👤PERSONAL

He declined a fifth term as IMO Secretary-General to write the biography of Lal Bahadur Shastri, reflecting his deep respect for the late Prime Minister whom he had served closely.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1990, Queen Elizabeth II gave him an honorary knighthood (KCMG) for his contributions to international shipping, an exceptional honor for an Indian civil servant.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Sir CP Srivastava (how Shri Mataji saved sick young boy - Piccadilly Circus London 1974) Sahaja Yoga
·YouTube
More from this archive
Sir CP Srivastava (how Shri Mataji saved sick young boy - Piccadilly Circus London 1974) Sahaja Yoga
01
Sir CP Srivastava (how Shri Mataji saved sick young boy - Piccadilly Circus London 1974) Sahaja Yoga
YouTube
Sir CP Srivastava 100th Birthday Felicitation
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Sir CP Srivastava 100th Birthday Felicitation
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Srivastava fundamentally altered the International Maritime Organization by expanding its membership from 86 to 134 nations, giving developing countries equal influence in maritime governance. He also established key institutions like the World Maritime University and International Maritime Law Institute, which trained maritime professionals worldwide, especially from the developing world, thereby democratizing maritime expertise and shaping global shipping regulations for decades.

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