Journeys Through Babudom and Netaland  (English, Hardcover, Subramanian T. S. R.)

Journeys through Babudom and Netaland: Governance in India offers an insider view into the working of the Indian judiciary and administrative system.

Summary of the Book

T. S. R. Subramanian, being a patriot that he is, pours his heart out as he provides his readers a glimpse through his eyes into the minutiae of governance in a diverse country like India. Journeys through Babudom and Netaland: Governance in India is packed with anecdotes from the writer’s own experiences as a bureaucrat. He paints a gloomy, forlorn picture of how the entire political system and its resources in this country has become a little more than a tool used to accomplish the whims and desires of those sitting at the top of the administration. The author describes how even an average ‘neta’, or a politician in India, could be corrupt, and could blatantly abuse his/her power. He mentions that in the four decades of his experience, he has known only a handful of politicians who are honest and sincere. He explains how the average ‘babu’ or bureaucrat is impolite, haughty, and too busy brown-nosing their superiors to be of any help to the general public. The author describes several incidents, drawn straight from his memory, which portray the surprising level of filth in the Indian political system in a witty way, which makes the book all the more enjoyable.

About T. S. R. Subramanian

T. S. R. Subramanian was a 1961 batch Indian Administrative Service officer and former cabinet secretary. He has had a notable career in the IAS. He has written one other book called GovernMint in India: An Inside View. His works are usually characterised by stories, biographical accounts, and a humorous presentation of the subjects he chooses to write on. He studied at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London and holds a Master’s degree from both University of Calcutta and Harvard University. He is also a founder member and the current Chancellor of Shiv Nadar University.