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.