Book
Name – Life in the IAS- My encounters with the three Lals of Haryana
Name – Life in the IAS- My encounters with the three Lals of Haryana
Author – Ram Varma
Publisher – Rupa Publications
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My Review
Rating : 5.0
A state that shares the capital with its rival state, from which
it was separated, a state with a farmer community and majority of the land
barren, a state where the politicians are interested only in pulling each other
down, a state where the government changes time and again so fast that it took
thirty years for a ministry to complete five year- to work in such a state as a
civil servant is a herculean task. More so if you are straight forward and
righteous. Ram Varma, through his book Three lals of Haryana lays bare the
story of such an officer who worked in Haryana, which is the inconsistent state
mentioned before. The civil servant is none other than the author himself. He
gives us the first hand experiences with Devi Lal,Bhansi Lal and Bhajan Lal,who
had been chief ministers of Haryana and played a major role in forming the
state as it is right now.
it was separated, a state with a farmer community and majority of the land
barren, a state where the politicians are interested only in pulling each other
down, a state where the government changes time and again so fast that it took
thirty years for a ministry to complete five year- to work in such a state as a
civil servant is a herculean task. More so if you are straight forward and
righteous. Ram Varma, through his book Three lals of Haryana lays bare the
story of such an officer who worked in Haryana, which is the inconsistent state
mentioned before. The civil servant is none other than the author himself. He
gives us the first hand experiences with Devi Lal,Bhansi Lal and Bhajan Lal,who
had been chief ministers of Haryana and played a major role in forming the
state as it is right now.
The book starts with the enrolment to IAS, training of the author and the
circumstances that led to the formation of Haryana. The story of Haryana is
never reserved to the state level politics alone. Haryana is such a state whose
politicians have a major role in the central government. From the first posting
to the last, author has systematically pointed out each instance. His first
experience is with Devilal which is not a smooth one. Author has depicted each
incident without prejudice and has tried to point out the other person’s
perspective. As a parallel plot, the happenings of the central government from
the reign of Nehru to the demise of Rajiv Gandhi has also been portrayed with
the deserving priority. Since the scenario is directly or indirectly connected
to Haryana, readers would not feel the shift from one scenario to the other. Before
explaining any incident involving himself author has given a backstory beforehand,
which again increases the interest of the readers.
circumstances that led to the formation of Haryana. The story of Haryana is
never reserved to the state level politics alone. Haryana is such a state whose
politicians have a major role in the central government. From the first posting
to the last, author has systematically pointed out each instance. His first
experience is with Devilal which is not a smooth one. Author has depicted each
incident without prejudice and has tried to point out the other person’s
perspective. As a parallel plot, the happenings of the central government from
the reign of Nehru to the demise of Rajiv Gandhi has also been portrayed with
the deserving priority. Since the scenario is directly or indirectly connected
to Haryana, readers would not feel the shift from one scenario to the other. Before
explaining any incident involving himself author has given a backstory beforehand,
which again increases the interest of the readers.
Author has sketched the characters of the three Lals without
implicitly glorifying or criticizing anyone. Nevertheless the message is not
lost on the readers. The book will surely be a sensation since some of the
allegations like the appointment scam are exposed. The style of narration is
the highlight of the book. Author has successfully added the requisite
suspense. It was difficult to put down the book, which is a rarity with
non-fiction. The forward by S.K.Misra is a review in itself. It has given an
overall view of the book in abstract.
implicitly glorifying or criticizing anyone. Nevertheless the message is not
lost on the readers. The book will surely be a sensation since some of the
allegations like the appointment scam are exposed. The style of narration is
the highlight of the book. Author has successfully added the requisite
suspense. It was difficult to put down the book, which is a rarity with
non-fiction. The forward by S.K.Misra is a review in itself. It has given an
overall view of the book in abstract.
Another important aspect of the book is the style with which
author has incorporated his personal life along with the professional and
political tale. His marriage with Savitri, and their little beautiful world of love
and compassion, Bharat Darshan, Daughters, their studies- Author has subtly
spread the message of how much his family means to him.
author has incorporated his personal life along with the professional and
political tale. His marriage with Savitri, and their little beautiful world of love
and compassion, Bharat Darshan, Daughters, their studies- Author has subtly
spread the message of how much his family means to him.
Overall it is difficult to define the book in a single
sentence. But still I would like to call the book a non-fiction cliff-hanger.
sentence. But still I would like to call the book a non-fiction cliff-hanger.
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
