K. J. S. Chatrath joined the Indian Administrative Service in Odisha in 1967. He retired from Bhubaneswar in 2003. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Paris–South, France for his thesis on the ‘Indo-French Diplomatic Relations‘. He has authored/edited 39 books - mostly on the Indo-French interface.

Last year, he had the privilege of being granted an audience with the Hon’ble President of India to present copies of his following 4 new books: (1) Chausathi Yogini Temple, 9th Century AD, Hirapur, Odisha, (2) Parsurameswara Temple, 7th Century AD, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, (3) Mukteswara Temple, 10th Century AD, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and (4) Brahmeswara Temple, 11th century AD, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He also submitted copies of his three earlier published books on Odisha to the Hon’ble President: (1) The Balasore Papers 1693-1949- A compendium of important documents relating to the Anglo-French dispute over the French Loge in India; (2) Some Vignettes of Balasore and its French Loge & (3) Homage to brave Labour Force members of World War-I from Odisha commemorated in Mazargues Military Cemetery, France.

Besides France, his other interests are travel (has visited 66 countries including Antarctica and the Arctic Circle) and trekking. He stays in Panchkula where he is busy with his blog allo.chatrath@blogspot.com . Presently he is working on his next book on the great contributions made by some little known Frenchmen in India.

He can be contacted at chatrath@gmail.com .