Indian Administrative Service is India’s premier career, with many across the country aspiring for it, but very few managing to enter it. Those few who get selected find it challenging to live up to the prestige and responsibilities that come with the job.
Becoming and living out the life of an IAS is by no means easy. And this is where a book to guide bureaucrats on their career path, written by no less than a very senior IAS officer who is retired but wiser as he looks back on his career journey, would be of great help to them. The book is Making A Difference: The IAS As A Career and the author is former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, Alok Ranjan.
The book is a collection of mantras for good governance and efficient leadership gathered over the author’s 38 long years of experience in administration.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Alok Ranjan reveals some interesting facts about his book, which is a useful guide not only for civil servants but for also the aspirants.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Revealing how he decided the title for his book, Mr. Alok Ranjan says, “By the name, ‘Making a Difference’, I want to convey the message that an IAS, wherever he or she serves, should work with a positive and progressive mindset. IAS is the most prestigious job and it offers diversity and richness of experience. In my book, I jotted down my experiences and tried to introduce various approaches to deal with different kinds of situations.”
He also reveals that his main objective to write this book is to showcase the contribution an IAS officer can make if he works with honesty, integrity and dedication. In his view, idealism is important if an IAS has to perform well.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mr. Alok Ranjan is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and an IAS officer of 1976 batch of Uttar Pradesh cadre, who got his superannuation on July 1, 2016, after having served as the Chief Secretary of UP. He is the key person behind the Lucknow Metro Rail Project that got completed in a record time of just 26 months.
The work of the 302-km Lucknow-Agra expressway was completed in just 22 months under his guidance. His other significant works are Gomti riverfront development work, development of IT city in Lucknow, implementation of the largest social welfare Samajwadi Pension Scheme that covers around 55lakhs families, energy sector reforms, Janata Adalat, etc.
CONCEPT OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
According to Mr. Ranjan, the concept of good governance can only be visualized by problem-solving and citizen-centric approaches. He says, “The 21st century is full of challenges due to various factors, including technological advancement. Quick decision-making, up-to-the-mark work culture and result-oriented efforts are requirements of the service to be relevant for society.”
He further mentions that due to the approaches of civil servants, a big gap can be seen in the delivery of public services. “Being an IAS officer, it’s his primary responsibility to fill this gap by analyzing the reasons and coming out with a roadmap for the future. Approaches must be problem-solving rather than containing a lot of procedures and being time consuming.”
In short, he emphasizes that the service needs to cut red tape and become citizen centric.
CHAPTER PLANNING
The focus of his book is to deliver the message to bureaucrats that they should serve people selflessly without any sense of power or entitlement. It begins with the history of civil services to its present situation.
In the next chapter, the author talks about motivation and preparation strategies for Civil Service Examination (CSE), and then narrates his varied experiences of serving in different positions – from district administration to the central level, mentioning various instances of his own learning experiences in service.
He also writes about the general misconceptions about civil servants in the minds of the people, and the right approaches to build a healthy relationship between public and administration.
One may order the book from the following link:
making a difference by MrAalok Ranjan from Amazon
POLITICS AND BUREAUCRACY
Mr. Ranjan also writes about the political interventions in bureaucracy and their negative effect on ground level development.
He says, “Politicians and bureaucrats must work in tandem like two wheels of a vehicle if governance has to be propelled forward in the right direction. Nothing kills the morale of an officer more than frequent and unnecessary transfers at the whims and fancies of the politicians.”
ADVICE TO IAS OFFICERS
The retired senior bureaucrat is of the view that the IAS officers must be careful to not allow power to go into their heads and turn them arrogant. “Remaining close to the public, understanding their issues, and finding creative and efficient ways to resolve the problems are the main traits of a real officer,” he says.
As for his own service life, he describes it as being “extremely satisfying as it provided the opportunity to touch the lives of people.”
Mr. Ranjan has written two other books – The Collector Today: Challenges of District Administration and Towards Adult Literacy in India.
Besides being a writer, he is an eloquent public speaker, a column writer in various national publications, and, also, teaches in management institutes. An avid reader, he says reading and writing help him to remain active.
