For bureaucrats, lessons in ‘good governance’ from Narendra Modi’s speeches

A book compiling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches on “good governance” during his tenure as Gujarat’s chief minister will be soon distributed among the serving IAS officers in Rajasthan.

On behalf of Gujarat government, that state’s chief Secretary JN Singh has sent over 200 copies of the book — “Chintan Shibir – A pioneering initiative towards vibrant governance in Gujarat” — to his counterpart in Rajasthan. The letter dated May 7 has been received by DB Gupta.

The books will be distributed among all the serving IAS officers after a formal approval by the state government, state personnel secretary Bhaskar A Sawant said.

The over 100-page book, edited by IAS officer Varun Maira, has a selection of speeches that Modi delivered in the period 2003-2011 on issues ranging from good governance and decision making to time management, among others. Sources in ruling party familiar with the development claimed that the books were being sent to all BJP-ruled states.

“We have published a coffee table book regarding the speeches delivered by Prime Minister during Chintan Shibirs held in Gujarat during the time he was the chief minister of the state,” the Gujarat chief secretary’s letter read.

HT has the copy of the letter.

Singh, in the letter, further said that “Chintan Shibir was a pioneering initiative taken towards vibrant governance in Gujarat. As CM, Shri Modi had taken several initiatives of which Chintan Shibir was unique, without any precedent in the administrative history of the country. The meeting of minds, collective thinking, free expression of ideas and brainstorming led to the resolution of many issues that were faced by Gujarat.”

He said the copies of the book should be “provided to all serving All India Service officers in your state, as well as three copies each to Director General of state level training institute including their library.”

Among others, the chapters in the book include topics such as – a typical day at Chintan Shibir; Vision, goals and objectives; Learning from others; Interactive and participative; and impact of Chintan Shibir.

News agency PTI quoted the secretary, department of personnel, as saying that “A file has been moved to seek permission to distribute the books among officers.”

Opposition Congress was quick to react, terming the Gujarat official a sycophant. “This is sycophancy on the part of Gujarat officer. Modi has not done any work till date that is worth adopting. The All India Service officers are experts and selected only after clearing highest examination in the country,” Archana Sharma, state congress spokesperson, said.