MY distinguished batchmate Mukesh Khullar has contributed two articles; the first is on the NFSM and the second on the enforcement of narcotics laws.
Both reflect his personal commitment and involvement in two very distinct sectors. His point is very clear: Wish it, Plan it and Do It. This is the credo followed by him, and by all those who were part of the Basu XI when he was helming the Ag Ministry.
In Saving the Crown jewels, the salient line reads: Not all ministers are men of integrity! And as all. (But I would say, most) IAS officers know, at times you have to save the government from its own ministers, when they are hell bent on.
Shooting self-goals
Mr. Baijal informs us that that ‘the mere passing of a Reforms Act means nothing. They have to be implemented. And this is not easy for those who have a monopoly who would like to hold on to it. In his second article on agricultural reforms, he says, where there is a will, there is a way, and though in the case of agriculture, reforms were by stealth, rather than on the front foot, he talks of the importance of integrated value chains in this sector.
I have great pleasure in talking about the two articles from Shailendra Kumar, whom I had the privilege of training at the Academy, and later my colleague as the Director at the NHM.
Success somewhere here opens up new possibilities elsewhere. He talks of the new approach to artisans’ livelihood project, as well as the turnaround in rural connectivity. The Road to Every village programme Mission was quite successful only because of the great coordination.
Nishkama Karma
Pran Mohan Thakur’s credo is ‘Impartiality is the key to success ‘and he writes of the Dharma of Nishkama Karma, as he recounts his experience as the Samaharta and Dandadhikari (Collector and Magistrate) of Darbhanga – the willingness to perform without fear or favour, with an attitude of zero-tolerance to external interference and without caring for any adverse outcome.
RS Julaniya has worked wonders with water. MP recorded a doubledigit growth in agriculture because of investments in irrigation – the irrigated area increased fivefold, and many of them achieved a command area higher than the designed capacity. MP also received the Krishi Karman award four times in a row!
Rainwater harvesting
Shantha Sheela Nair is convinced that civil servants can and do make a difference – and she was responsible for ensuring access of water to the citizens of Chennai.
She points out that even though the political executive was keen on power and capital-intensive projects like desalination, civil servants, and civil society like her were promoting rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and direct collection.
Rajeev Arora, intrepid civil servant, and a squash champion who beat me hollow at the Academy, has written on Haryana’s experience. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. He says that “every crisis is an opportunity for transformation and reform.”
