Civil service in India is a great platform: IAS officer S Sasikanth Senthil

MANGALURU: The sudden resignation of IAS officer S Sasikanth Senthil stunned everyone. While the government is trying to convince him to reconsider his resignation, well-wishers rushed to the residence of the former deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada and his office to find out the reason for this sudden move and convince him to change his mind, but were disappointed not to find him.
His statement that the resignation is against an ideology and not about local issues caught the nation’s attention. Quite guarded about his comments, he tells TOI that civil service in India is a great platform for all aspiring youngsters who want to achieve their goals.
When you joined the service, what did you hope to achieve? Do you feel now you won’t achieve your goals and therefore decided to quit?
Like any other aspirant I also came into the service with the intention of public service, upholding the guiding principles of our Constitution. I went about achieving that with focus on understanding issues of the underprivileged. The service has provided me that platform and I have never ever felt there was a shortcoming within the service to achieve that. I certainly didn’t leave the service for that reason.
Do you think young Indians will shy away from joining the IAS/IFS because of the limited change they can bring about in the society?
The civil service in India is a great platform for all aspiring youngsters who want to achieve their intended goals. I’d strongly encourage all bright minds to pursue the civil service as I have found it to be enriching in all aspects.
A few other officers have quit and some are said to be quitting in the near term. Is there a sense of anxiety in the service?
I’ve clearly mentioned the reasons for my quitting in my note. I cannot comment about others as it is a personal decision.
There were reports that the CM asked the chief secretary to convince you to reconsider. Did anybody get in touch with you?
Certainly, seniors and friends asked me to reconsider which I have refused humbly.