An Open Letter to Tina Dabi, This Year’s Civil Service Exam Topper
“You are bound to stumble and commit many bona fide mistakes. It would be unnatural if you did not!”
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Dear Tina,
First, my heartiest congratulations to you on topping the civil services list, that too in your first attempt. This is an achievement par excellence, especially because, as far as I know, this is a test that still remains foolproof against the malpractices and subjectivity that abound in many other selections in government.
I stood first in the effective list of the IPS way back in 1963. But let me confess, if I had ever competed with you, I would have come a cropper. You are simply brilliant, and your parents can be really proud of you.
After all the partying and other celebrations that go with such success are over, you will have to come back down to earth. Take a few moments to introspect on what lies ahead in the years to come. This is God’s gift to you, and do not, on any account, fritter it away. As much as your parents do, I want you to succeed and eventually become the Cabinet Secretary to the Union government, the highest position one can aspire for in the civil service.
No Substitute for Hard Work
This should be your dream, and for this to happen, you have to work very, very hard indeed!
Our present PM has also given himself a punishing routine, beginning with yoga every day. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is another workaholic who comes readily to my mind. These successful leaders have proved the dictum that ‘hard work is good for health’.
Speaking of health, you should take good care of it. Don’t ever give the excuse that you don’t have the time for this. Successful CEOs of the world’s largest corporations (including Chandra, for whom I work at Tata Consultancy Services) somehow find the time, amidst all their global travel and endless customer and staff meetings.
Three Basic Qualities
In my view, the three basic qualities required of a model civil servant are: accessibility, politeness, and firmness. I have tried to uphold all the three in my three decades of public service. I may not have succeeded all the time. But I certainly tried.
A Public Servant
Never forget that you are first and foremost a ‘servant’ and not the master of the public. No citizen is too insignificant for you to deny an appointment. It may not be physically possible to meet all those who want to see you. Allot at least an hour each day (including holidays) for this, and you will be hailed by the poorest in your jurisdiction.
This is the recipe for success in public administration. You should be available to all your staff most of the time for addressing their problems, official and personal. Discourage the so-called ‘courtesy calls’ sought by your subordinates. These are a waste of time. But do agree to meet everyone who has a problem to discuss.
Winning Goodwill
I lay great stress on politeness to fellow beings.
I confess I have many a time strayed from this wholesome prescription, and have been needlessly rude. But soon after I realised I was unfair to another person, I sought to make amends, sometimes with a categorical apology. If you do this, you will win friends rather than lose them. This is especially in respect of the political class.
Remember we are a strong democracy, and sovereign power rests with the people and their representatives. You need to be courteous and communicative to them. Do not expect from them your standards of articulation and probity. Some of them can be difficult and downright hostile and intimidatory. Never be discourteous to them, whatever be the provocation.
This is difficult in practice, but is one that should always be at the back of your mind while dealing with ministers and legislators.
Respect Representation
This leads me on to the most unsavoury but critical aspect of government service: political interference in day-to-day administration. Here, you should be conscious of the distinction between ‘interference’ and ‘representation’.
You have the obligation to respond by causing an enquiry made and report back your findings.
You just cannot ignore any representation.
Where a demand is made that smacks of something downright illegal or unethical, you have a right to turn it down. But do this in a polite manner, and keep a written record of this.
If you get caught for committing an illegal act, remember, no one will come to your rescue, not even your senior who ordered you to swerve from the path of law or ethics.
Personal Conduct
I would like to end this homily by saying, that fundamental to all that you do is ethical personal conduct. There will be many temptations in the course of your career. Do not ever yield to them. There will be many who would want you to trip accepting lavish gifts or hospitality. Never succumb to this. As an intelligent adult you know what is right and what is not. You act according to your conscience.
You are bound to stumble and commit many bona fide mistakes. It would be unnatural if you did not! But, as long as your intentions are honest, you will learn and benefit from your mistakes, and not suffer from them.
I am hoping to get to know you in course of time. Till then, best wishes and blessings.
(The writer is a former Director, Central Bureau of Investigation)
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