Dimapur 25 August 2020: Robert Shetkintong (Dilbung) has been posted as the next Ambassador of India to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Robert joined the Indian Foreign Service in 2001. In 2003, he was posted to the Indian Mission in Tel Aviv as a language trainee (Hebrew). On completion of language course, he was posted to the Indian Embassy in Rome, and was there for almost 4 years. He then returned to New Delhi and served at the Headquarters between 2009 and 2012. He subsequently served at the Indian Missions in Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).
Robert hails from Keithelmanbi Village, St. Paul’s Parish Pallel, Chandel District, Manipur. His parents are Dilbung Samuel Shetwor and Mrs. Dilbung Angela Shangting. They are a devout Catholic family, rich in human and Christian virtues of love, joy, sincerity, hard work, relationship and God fearing. Robert has two sisters – elder sister is Sr. Maria Dilbung FMA and younger sister is Rose Dilbung. His father is one among the trained Catechists during the time of Fr. Larea SDB at Dibrugarh.
As a child, Robert loved to play football and spent hours at play along with his friends but would also dedicate quality time for his studies. He played the role of youth leader and proved to be a great leader and guide. He displayed leadership qualities right from his youthful days.
His schooling began in St. Joseph’s School Sugnu back in 1980s with the encouragement that came through Fr. Sebastian Chelat and many others. In 1986, he shifted to Don Bosco School, Chingmeirong in class 7 and completed the matric examination in 1990. He then went to St. Joseph’s College Bangalore for Classes 11 and 12. He completed BA (Pol Science) from St. Anthony’s Shillong while staying in St. Stephen’s hall, Shillong. He went to New Delhi for pursuing his further studies and completed his MA and M. Phil from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
In 1990 when he and his elder sister were awaiting their matric results, just a few days before the results, it is said that his mother had a commendable dream – she was admiring two beautiful shining jewels in her palm when all of a sudden a religious sister grabbed one of them and went her way and she had just one in her palm. With prayers and wishes of friends and community, Robert’s mother’s dream of the remaining jewel in her palm continues to shine.
Robert is married to Tingjahat Hangshing and they have two children – Sarah and Raymond.