Credible autobiographical memoirs are never easy to write. Readers always approach them with a degree of scepticism. The feeling that "autobiography is an unrivalled vehicle for telling truth about other people" (Philip Guedalla) and that "autobiography is mostly alibiography" (Clare Booth Luce) is deeply embedded in public mind. Also, many details have to be omitted to avoid litigation, leaving the story incomplete.
Mahesh Prasad, the author of No Minster; Memoir of a Civil Servant had a distinguished civil service career spanning 38 years, including two years extension. During this period he had very diverse postings including one in London. He occupied highest positions that all IAS officers aspire for, except that of Cabinet Secretary, though he was compensated for it by being given Cabinet Secretary rank as Chairman of the International Trade Promotion Organisation.
The contents of the book fall into three categories. Most of the book is about the work he did and goals that he achieved for public welfare in various postings and positions. The conclusion that emerges is that an officer, committed to public service, and who makes an honest effort to discharge his duties, can overcome various obstacles in his way. The people support such an officer and the local leaders generally come around.
Second, the author recalls some anecdotes that were once part of the corridor whispers. Under this category would fall how the position of Cabinet Secretary went to S. Rajgopal even though the latter was many positions below the author in the seniority list.
Similarly, the author recalls his problems with P.K. Kaul (who went on to become Cabinet Secretary and Ambassador to the US) because of the influence of an unnamed gentleman "who had taken a short lease for extracting sand from Yamuna river bed near NOIDA".
The author has described in detail his problematic relationship with Maneka Gandhi when she was minister and he was secretary in the Ministry of Forests and Environment. Much of that would pass for hilarity except for the fact that such a mismatch between a senior bureaucrat and his political master is so damaging to public interest. To be fair, it must be underlined that we don't know the defendant's version of all these cases.
While such recollections can be of interest to colleagues and acquaintances in the know of things, the portions of the book that require reflection by the larger public are those which show how the steel frame of bureaucracy has rusted. The author sums up the position in these words – "Unfortunately the standards of service have fallen. In my time, an officer with doubtful integrity was an exception. Now, according to reports, an officer with unimpeachable integrity is an exception. Some officers have become the willing tools of politicians..."
It's time for introspection by all to stem the rot. A lot of blame is laid at the door of political leadership but bureaucracy and indeed all sections of the civil society, in their own interest, need to do honest self criticism. Bureaucrats in particular need to remember that because of security of service lasting on an average about 35 years, during which they are virtually untouchable except for being dumped in difficult postings, they can stand up to their political masters who come and go. The Achilles Heel of bureaucracy is that many break ranks and compromise by aligning themselves with their political bosses for personal benefit, leaving the honest officers easy target. It is time for retired, honest bureaucrats to call a spade a spade. Bureaucracy, more than any other section of the civil society, has a role to play in turning things around.
The author is President, Association of Indian Diplomats
Book Reviews 
Credible autobiographical memoirs are never easy to write. Readers always approach them with a degree of scepticism. The feeling that "autobiography is an unrivalled vehicle for telling truth about other people" (Philip Guedalla) and that "autobiography is mostly alibiography" (Clare Booth Luce) is deeply embedded in public mind. Also, many details have to be omitted to avoid litigation, leaving the story incomplete.
