As a fellow, Falkman also hopes to engage in discussions with Harvard intellectuals. By meeting and talking with those who determine this country's foreign policy, Falkman wants to learn how the U.S. shapes its diplomatic relations.

Falkman sees America as playing a crucial role in maintaining international stability. "The U.S. can use its power to influence situations in the world so that peaceful resolutions can be created."

In addition to attending lectures and seminars at Harvard, Falkman has delivered speeches at the CFIA on his experience in Angola and Vietnam.

Commenting on his accomplishments, Falkman says, "I don't have any high points in my career; every day is a high point."

Prem Singh

The son of illiterate farmers, this Indian diplomat was born in a small village 25 miles north of Delhi. But Prem Singh did not stay for the harvest; he soon left the local grasslands for the international field.

During his twenty-two year career, the graduate of the University of Lucknow has served as both the Indian High Commissioner in Mauritius and the Ambassador to Bahrain.

As a diplomat, Singh says, his job is to "promote peace among nations and at the same time promote the interests of my own country."

Singh considers himself to be lucky in that it is easy for him to do both at once. "Since the Indian foreign policy is based on friendship with all the countries, there has been little conflict," says the 46-year old.

Although a diplomat must coordinate national interests with international concerns, Singh believes that life should be as spontaneous as possible. He says he did not anticipate coming to Harvard. In fact, Singh did not know what CFIA was before his government asked him if he would like to spend a year here as a fellow at the Center.

"One fine morning I was asked by my government if I would like to take this opportunity, and I gladly agreed," recalls Singh, who is sponsored both by his government and the Ford Foundation.

While at Harvard, Singh says he hopes to make maximum use of his time. Attending seminars at the Kennedy School and lectures at CFIA and the Russian Center, meeting students, and broadening his knowledge of international affairs are on his agenda. "I'm educating myself in a general way," he says.

Singh is adamant in his belief that one cannot plan anything in life. He expounds his philosophy, "If you look at the stars, you see a human being is not even a speck of dust in this universe. There are so many forces operating around and upon you."

However, he adds, "If man can learn to master his mind, anything is possible."

Singh describes his post as Indian High Commissioner in Mauritius--an island in the southwest Indian Ocean--as the height of his foreign service career.