Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who has been named the next foreign secretary of India, has stepped into his aunt’s shoes and Darjeeling cannot stop cheering.

Chokila Iyer from Darjeeling was the country’s first female foreign secretary in 2001 and 18 years later, her nephew Shringla will be sitting on the same chair.

Chokila was married to a Tamil Brahmin.

Dechen Wangdi, a family member, on Monday told The Telegraph: “Chokila Iyer, the first female foreign secretary of India is my mother’s younger sister, while Harsh Vardhan Shringla is the son of my father’s younger brother.”

Chokila studied at Loreto Convent and St Joseph’s College (North Point) in Darjeeling, while Shringla went to Mayo College, Ajmer, and St Stephen’s College, New Delhi.

Shringla visits Darjeeling as often as possible and his family owns the iconic hotel Ivanhoe House at Mall here.

“He was last here in October,” said Wangdi, who visited Shringla in the US, where he is currently serving as India’s ambassador to the US, in August.

Shringla had earlier served as ambassador to Thailand and high commissioner to Bangladesh before taking over as the ambassador to the US.

Shringla’s father Tshering Tendufla had retired as joint chief controller of foreign trade, while his mother Hari Devi Basnet (Chhetri) is a homemaker. “His father passed away but his mother is with him in the US right now,” said Wangdi.

The nature of Tendufla’s job meant travelling to India. “I think Harsh Vardhan was born in south India,” said Wangdi.

Shringla’s wife Hemal is a Gujarati by birth, while his son Ashok Vardan Shringla is currently studying at a college in the US, said Wangdi.

The aunt-nephew story is definitely inspiring for Darjeeling.

“We are proud of their achievement and it is such an encouraging story for the youths in Darjeeling who are aspiring to join the civil services. The message is simple; you can reach the pinnacle of your career if you work hard and put your mind into it,” said Wangdi.