NOT JUST A CIVIL SERVANT Kindle Edition

Reading "NOT JUST A CIVIL SERVANT" was insightful. It changed the stereotypes I had in mind of not just Civil Servants but other 5 "CS" as well. You have shown that you can make your mark in public life without being politically correct and also how you can deliver regardless of the department you are in. If you are fearless, honest and committed, a transfer is not a punishment but an opportunity for new learning and new initiatives. Your story will inspire and motivate many.

Given a idea of how come positive out of a bad situation

IAS has been a subject of much awe, jealousy, condemnation (rightly so on many counts) and rare admiration on very few occasions in the past few decades. Media loves to address its officers as “babus”. However, the service has survived and still forms the indispensable ‘steel frame’ of the civil administration in India. And, it has survived the onslaught of otherwise rapidly declining value system in the society because of some conscientious officers who have delivered tangible results against all odds in the ‘system’. The IAS, like society at large, survives because such few good officers, men and women. The author of this book belongs to such genra. ‘Not just a....’ is a crisp and inspiring account of the author’s journey of 38 years in the services of the people of India. It dwells upon the vital issues in a straightforward manner and narrates the truth as it is along with an underlying message the one can make a difference in people’s life even being in an otherwise heartless ’system’. A must read for all budding and aspiring civil servants and also anyone who wants to understand how the ‘system’ of governance works in the world’s largest democracy. It is an honest memoir of a civil servant who dared to differ and distinguished himself on several counts.A must-read for all.

Many senior bureaucrats post retirement often consider to pen down their thoughts and experience over serving the government and walking down the corridors of power. Not Just A Civil Servant is beyond a memoir. Its a path of realization, of being in governance and how a person stands with his conviction and wisdom. Sharing the most crucial events in his career, whether in the Ministry of Labour or as senior official, the author has taken us through the critical processes and complexities an IAS officer goes through. The nuances associated with making public policies come to serve the nation and influence life of people are not seen often through those who serve to make them happen. One of the best books I have read in years and the strength though which Sh. Anil Swaroop ji had written his journey and at the end the very realization that he came across to realize that all the time he is born he would seek to walk the same journey of serving the country as a civil servant. Living amongst the civil servants and taking a crucial decision to walk a different path, I really enjoyed reading every line. Indeed its not just being a civil servant that one would feel the author Sh Swaroop has been, but realize more about the country and how crucial a role governance and civil servants play everyday for the country. Happy reading to all and can only suggest dont miss reading this book as an Indian.

Enjoyed this book.Not just because it’s a very readable account of some highlighted experiences of a civil servant over a successful career. It's a book about many things: how to be transformative leader, how to nanage a long and successful career and most importantly it's about how to try to make a difference ( no matter what the situation).Swarup is bold and honest in recounting his experiences. He tells it as it is, warts and all, without making it sensational by naming names. His account is analytical and introspective while recounting his spectacular successes ( the complex implementation of Rastriya Swastha Bima Yogana to the poorest of the poor, using smart card technology), as well as where inspite of his best efforts he was thwarted by vested interests ( an unfinished agenda in his stint as Education Secretary). He is also critical of what he refers as the 5 Cs ( CBI, CAG, CIC, courts and especially CAG) in hindering bureaucrats from taking decisions.What is refreshing about his account is that no matter what role he was given he was always positive in his approach, his mindset was always to see how he could make a difference ( what he refers to has "nexus of good"). This is at the core of the book- not being just another civil servant.There is a lot a student of management can learn about successful execution of complex programmes, including starting with obtaining thorough hands-on understanding of issues involved, leading from the front and taking full accountability, building and managing successful teams, building trust, managing and transparently communicating with stakeholders at multiple levels, managing and leveraging media effectively, among others.Finally, the stories I enjoyed most in the book are those with a human touch. Shows that even in this high tech age, what moves us most is high touch.Strongly recommended.Full disclosure: As management consultant I interacted closely with Anil Swarup first when he was Head of Project Management Group and later when he was Coal Secretary.

Kudos to Author and Amazon for making available such book to readers. To me, some notable Qualities of author are as follows which are highly appreciable.1. Spine.2. Courage.3. Integrity. Financial and proefessional.4. Awareness of his place in system. Powers and limitations. No illusion about self.5. Capacity for innovative solutions.6. Bold ness to help genuine trade.7. Capacity to grasp issues promptly and devise action plans and teams.And successful result.8. Collaboration skills.9. Limitations....No new doable suggestions after rich experience in govt and that too at top are shared. May be there are no solutions.10. To expect babus to reform within is wrong solution. Power is with neta now. Babus are servants. So they have no independent power as it used to be in preindependence days. So reform should start from neta level and than it will survive, otherwise not. His diagnosis seems to missed this point.11. There was no reference about huge loot by IAS and still no delivery of public service to common man or country. Only one point agenda of power and money by almost all ias is not covered and criticized properly.12. Reference to one survey that people trust collector most, is misleading. May be illiterate people would think it like that. But certainly not literate class because they know how they crave for power and posting in collusion with ruling party MLA, MP and even party president of District or State.13. It may also be noted that illiterate people have trust in political parties also to whom they vote. So, this survey is misleading, if any correct lesson is to be drawn from it.14. The loot by ias is not criticized suitably and more openly. For reader's satisfaction, it can be said that whatever stated is, anyway good than keeping mum.15. We do not need action plans as stated by author..We have plenty of that also which can be prepared in few hours on desk..it does not succeed ..Because We need execution..It's skills.. Determination and professional and financial integrity. And of course, leadership.16. Was expecting his views on past work in goverment and analysis of its failure for eg there is Administrative Reform Commission's one report purely on improving Ethics in Governance. We know status of ethics in govt. Nothing is done effectively. Author could have covered it in book about his views or inputs about what more should be done. Let it be done in next edition. Similarly, Singapore or China Experience on improving governance should also be shared with local context.17. Similarly, in private sector, there are few companies which have high integrity or value standards such as Infosys or Tata, etc. Author may share his deep insight as to what can be imported from such companies in govt fold.18. This is one of the finest and must read book of our times.

This book showcases Mr. Anil Swarup’s extraordinary and inspirational service life of 38 years. A gripping narrative of many relatable and some heart touching humane anecdotes.A must read for new generation of civil servants, it shows how one can work with honesty and integrity while fighting odd situations. Create a societal impact in lives of lakhs of people while abiding by service rules. I will also recommend this read to those keen to understand more about the life and work of a civil servant in India.