This is my review of a partial autobiography by a venerable police officer Jacob Thomas, of the Indian Police Service. Pictured here on the cover of his book, the officer, a brilliant agronomist, brought out several reforms in the Civil Administration of the State of Kerala. However, his forthright means and methods weren't appreciated well by the changing governments, resulting in his being shunted out of several appointments immaturely, leaving his projects either half done, undone or totally scrapped. In his career spanning over thirty years - as of 2017, he had another four years left to retire from active service - he inspired and initiated over 60 projects; was transferred around in the State 30 times and was sent on compulsory leave on more than one occasion.
The title of the book when translated into English would read as "Swimming alongside Sharks"
Sravukalkoppam Neenthumbol by Jacob Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jacob Thomas has succeeded in bringing out the current state of affairs in the Civil Services machinery of India and in particular of that of the State of Kerala in this partial autobiography. He is quite vocal about the socio-political inequalities and disharmornies that exist between the various Arms of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. Drawing from personal example, he vociferously highlights the absence of political will among most politicians of the State irrespective of the political ideologies they 'represent' as individuals. The sketch that emerges from the pen-pictures of various instances that the learned police officer came across in his numerous appointments is that of the heinous and dark side of the Executive-Legislature tussle, some drawn from clash of personal likes and dislikes and most others drawn from an averment of the Legislature to support new ideas that are aimed at the general good of the public at large, for fear of losing their political influence over the people.
The officer has tried to be as diplomatic as can be given his para-military status as an officer in the Indian Police Service. It is morally demeaning to an officer who has chosen to be in uniform when he is stripped of that and left to occupy offices that are best handled by civilian administrators. It is a cruel, noiseless and an extremely harsh way of affecting a blow on the morale of any forthright officer worth his salt and is primarily aimed at breaking the mettle without a stick. Despite the numerous ways in which he was targeted, Jacob Thomas has left a lasting impression on the minds of the people as a person who attempted to clean up the 'System' within the boundaries of his remit. This book serves as a reference for the public to calibrate themselves amidst the furore that has already been generated against the individual. It is clear that the officer has deliberately not discussed certain aspects of his career, which in his wisdom was the best way forward in penning his life's important chapters for the sake of the public to read and understand. I wish there were more forward thinking idealogues like him in the Administrative machinery and I wish our political masters could see through these people and support their projects for the benefit of the public.
In an era where the 'System' could be blamed for anything and everything unwarranted that affects the ordinary people and allows the political masters as well as corrupt bureaucrats responsible for such irresponsible acts to get away with their deceptive works, this small book highlights itself as the odd one out and is representative of a population within the Executive that has somehow decided not to speak out, but suppress their emotions behind their thinking minds.
View all my reviews
The title of the book when translated into English would read as "Swimming alongside Sharks"
Sravukalkoppam Neenthumbol by Jacob ThomasMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jacob Thomas has succeeded in bringing out the current state of affairs in the Civil Services machinery of India and in particular of that of the State of Kerala in this partial autobiography. He is quite vocal about the socio-political inequalities and disharmornies that exist between the various Arms of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. Drawing from personal example, he vociferously highlights the absence of political will among most politicians of the State irrespective of the political ideologies they 'represent' as individuals. The sketch that emerges from the pen-pictures of various instances that the learned police officer came across in his numerous appointments is that of the heinous and dark side of the Executive-Legislature tussle, some drawn from clash of personal likes and dislikes and most others drawn from an averment of the Legislature to support new ideas that are aimed at the general good of the public at large, for fear of losing their political influence over the people.
The officer has tried to be as diplomatic as can be given his para-military status as an officer in the Indian Police Service. It is morally demeaning to an officer who has chosen to be in uniform when he is stripped of that and left to occupy offices that are best handled by civilian administrators. It is a cruel, noiseless and an extremely harsh way of affecting a blow on the morale of any forthright officer worth his salt and is primarily aimed at breaking the mettle without a stick. Despite the numerous ways in which he was targeted, Jacob Thomas has left a lasting impression on the minds of the people as a person who attempted to clean up the 'System' within the boundaries of his remit. This book serves as a reference for the public to calibrate themselves amidst the furore that has already been generated against the individual. It is clear that the officer has deliberately not discussed certain aspects of his career, which in his wisdom was the best way forward in penning his life's important chapters for the sake of the public to read and understand. I wish there were more forward thinking idealogues like him in the Administrative machinery and I wish our political masters could see through these people and support their projects for the benefit of the public.
In an era where the 'System' could be blamed for anything and everything unwarranted that affects the ordinary people and allows the political masters as well as corrupt bureaucrats responsible for such irresponsible acts to get away with their deceptive works, this small book highlights itself as the odd one out and is representative of a population within the Executive that has somehow decided not to speak out, but suppress their emotions behind their thinking minds.
View all my reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment