The bureaucrat who had to resort to using foul language to get minions to do his bidding

The Open magazine issue of May 7 has at least two articles that are worth reading — one by an Australian writer on her experiences of life in Mumbai as the wife of an Indian man. In the other piece, also a first-person account, B. Ashok (pictured below), IAS, private secretary to a union minister, gives us the "B, C and D of governance". Here is an excerpt:

I called for the dictionary again and the librarian reappeared with his ledger in no time. But this time before he could speak out, I blurted out: “Bhen..Ch… D… do you need your job here or not?” Tears streamed down his face as the ledger disappeared and the dictionary made its appearance on my desk. (Hey presto, it works!) “Saaala, ainda mujhe lecture mat dena (Scumbag, don’t ever lecture me again).” Thus ends the first experiment with a resounding success.

 I can't recall ever reading a more revealing article by someone senior in government. To read the full piece, go here.

• Photo courtesy: Open