Rarely does a civil servant have such a wide variety of assignments over a period of fifty years, that include key posts offered, after retirement, by …four different Prime Ministers. Even more rare is to find an officer who has acted so independently and come out unscathed. This is the story of G. V. Ramakrishna, who held some of the sensitive and high profile jobs in the last twenty years of his service Well known as the redoubtable Chairman of SEBI, he was a crusader for protecting the interests of the small investor. He took strong measures to ban badla. As the first Chairman of the Disinvestment Commission he charted the road map for successful disinvestments. He was the only one to have successfully thwarted Quattrochi in his efforts to grab a major project. Throughout his career G. V. Ramakrishna has upheld the best traditions of his service and has been acknowledged as the role model for others. In this book, Ramakrishna provides a first hand account of how Government functioned at high levels in the States and at the Centre. The subtle methods of utilizing Government institutions for unconstitutional, political and bureaucratic ends, have been brought out with modesty and sensitivity. In a rather unusual style, the book employs multiple elements of presentation. An easy-read narrative (born out of the autobiographical impulse of a senior bureaucrat turned author) is well supported by extensive references, relevant media clippings and other anexures. This is followed by a select set of articles on varied themes of general and current interest, where Ramakrishna does not hesitate to voice his views on some interesting and debatable issues. Plus, interspersed with the text are pictures, cartoons and photographs from the author’s personal collection – all of which contribute towards making the book truly worth possessing. Concerned citizens, civil servants, students and faculties of institutions, will find this book of absorbing interest.
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