There are people who began to pursue their passion after settling as a civil servant, but haven’t really come across people who never let go of their passion, in the first place, and continue to carry on with it, even while working.
One such example is former 1986 batch Indian Administrative Service Officer, Ms. Rajni Sekhri Sibal, who has not only been a hardworking civil servant but is also a distinguished author who has penned several books. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, she talks about her work especially her new book – Asariri.
A WRITER FROM THE HEART
Ms. Sibal believes that writing is a part of herself. “I used to read a lot… I still do. And gradually, it induced my passion for writing, too. I have been writing for many years now. Poetry is something that I write for myself and fiction is my contribution to the society,” says Ms. Sibal.
Initially, she used to write books based on her work. While still in training, she wrote a book on the tools of efficient monitoring work of subordinates.
Her posting in the department of animal husbandry helped her understand various breeds of cows in the country, that initiated her book ‘Kamadhenu: Cows of India’. It is a coffee table book on the science of dairying. It is possibly the only one written this subject by a bureaucrat.
ON COWS AND ON DISASTERS
During her posting as the Additional Secretary (Disaster Management), she wrote a book called ‘Are You Prepared for a Disaster?’ In this book she generated awareness about natural disasters and safety steps to be taken.
Speaking about her work in the field of poetry, she told Indian Masterminds that she recorded or noted down lines, wherever and whenever they came to her mind. “All that collection merged into two anthologies called – ‘Clouds End and Beyond’ and ‘Fragrant Words’.
THE HAUNTING OF HIMALAYAS
Growing up in the hills, she was charmed by the tales that she had heard from various people. These were true stories from people’s experience in the mountains which left quite an impact on her and she decided to write them down. They culminated into a book called ‘The Haunting Himalayas’.
She wrote the book during Covid-induced lockdown and it was published in December 2020.
ASARIRI
A Bloomsbury publication, Ms. Sibal’s newest book, Asariri is quite close to her heart. It translates some of the wisdom from the Upanishads in a readable present-day context. It follows the story of Nisha, who befriends Asariri on the top of a mountain, a few days after she loses her father. Asariri is a bit of a poet and provides meaning to Nisha’s life.
“It’s a semi-autobiographical book as it displays the same emotions that I felt when I lost my father at a young age.”
The book is a wondrous journey and touches important aspects of life. Asariri is a rather poetic disembodied voice with access to an infinite pool of wisdom.
Asariri is available on Amazon. The official launch will be sometime around April 15th only.
UPCOMING BOOK
Currently, she is working on a book which will be dedicated to the female IAS officers from all across the country who are real winners and have worked selflessly for the nation. It is expected to be launched in November 2021.
