Born
in Calcutta in a family of scholars and diplomats Achala Moulik went
to schools in Washington, New York and London, where her father Moni Moulik was
posted on diplomatic assignments. She graduated in Economics, Political
Science, International History and Law from London University. Thereafter she
studied Italian Renaissance in Rome. Her civil servant and writer husband
Mohandas Moses encouraged her literary endeavours.
After
graduation Achala joined the Indian Administrative Service. She has worked in
various capacities among them as Education Secretary, Government of India when
the national education programme ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’ was formulated
and as Director General, Archaeological Survey of India.
She
has published books on international relations, political and cultural history,
along with biographies on Tagore and Tolstoy, four acclaimed novels and a
collection of poetry. Her play Pushkin’s Last Poem was staged
in Moscow and Petersburg to standing ovation.
For
her contribution to Russian history and literature Achala received the Sergei
Yesenin Prize and the prestigious Pushkin Medal from
the Russian President.