Govt goes into hiding. When will we EVER get ruled?! 
 
http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_why-bureaucracy-is-going-into-deep-freeze_1673820

50 pc quota for women queers the pitch for all political parties: 

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_the-pains-of-finding-the-right-women_1644027

Sanjay Nirupam -Priya Dutt -kabhi sibling kabhi foe

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_the-priya-dutt-sanjay-nirupam-love-hate-story_1646871

When Kripa failed the High Command, it acted:

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_maximum-mumbai-the-undoing-of-kripashankar-singh_1655937

The tale of two Thackerays, Uddhav and Raj

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=10183&boxid=26651124&ed_date=2012-02-21&ed_code=820009&ed_page=3

My column on why nuclear energy is a bad idea:

 

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=11312&boxid=26684054&ed_date=2012-03-06&ed_code=820009&ed_page=5

My column on the politics of local governance: MMRDA vs BMC:

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=11822&boxid=26669462&ed_date=2012-03-13&ed_code=820009&ed_page=3

My column on the youngest terror victim of 26/11 wanting an answer:

 

 

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=12462&boxid=26725332&ed_date=2012-03-20&ed_code=820009&ed_page=4

My column in DNA on sales tax department making history:

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_the-a-team-that-delivers-60pct-of-states-revenue_1667848

My Column in DNA on Force One- 3/4/2012
 
http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_away-from-spotlight-force-one-is-battle-ready_1670745

Am reproducing an edited letter written by an eminent officer reputed for his brilliance in his field. This letter was written in response to an anguished query by one of colleagues in the bureaucracy  about how to save fellow officers from mindless media and legal persecution, with a reference to Adarsh. Worthy of debate and thought:


"Harvard professor Stanley Hoffman had said that we lived in an age where considerable administrative control has been passed on from bureaucracy to multi-national corporations, NGOs, criminals and terrorists.

In this I would include the media too. We now see a media driven administration in India largely like UK or USA. Opinion making is largely beyond the control of bureaucracy. Politicians do not dare to go against the swell of public opinion catalyzed by the noisy visual & print media. We live in dangerous times where those who are out of power or who are seeking power are desperately in search of scape goats. It does not matter that those who are now being prosecuted  may be acquitted after several years. The short memory of the public would have erased all these by then. New victims would be found and the charade will go on. Meanwhile the family members suffer.

I would recommend the following steps to avoid/tide over such situations:

1. Those who are in office and dealing with such matters should honestly put forward on paper their considered views based on legal foundations . They should leave it to the next higher authority to over rule them. The practice of recording "CM has desired" or "Minister has desired" or tailoring our opinion to suit political masters or next higher officials should stop.

2. We should train our younger officers on the requirements on the internet driven "globalized" era and treat NGOs, Media etc with utmost circumspection (That was not the case 20 years ago. We could ignore them). I am sorry to say that the elements of the "New Age' have not been taught in any of our training institutes. I can say this after having visited several such training institutes.

3.  The least we can do in such circumstances is not to base our opinion on our colleagues (Who are in distress) on what is reported in the media. While there should be no attempt to interfere in the judicial or investigative process, all of us should extend personal help to them whenever necessary to see that they are not ostracized."