Delhi-based senior journalist Ashwini Shrivastava has recently come up with a first-of-its-kind book, after years of consistent research, experience and analysis. ‘Decoding Indian Babudom’ may, in fact, be the first book authored by a mainstream journalist on the country’s bureaucracy. The book is already hailed by Indian bureaucrats, political leaders and the journalist fraternity.
The book mentions ailments of India’s bureaucratic system from the common man’s point of view and suggests ways to improve it through “15 sutras of good governance”. According to Ashwini, "the book is recommended for India's civil services aspirants and those in governance to have a ‘realistic’ view of the system that governs Indian citizens and also for those who want to understand the problem confronted by citizens at all levels in accessing the governance."
In the book that is available in both paperback and electronic version, Shrivastava has highlighted possible causes of rampant organized corruption in India's Property Registry Offices, Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), civic authorities and other government departments and offices. It leads the reader to a 360 degree view of red-tapism and ineffectiveness of administration in ensuring ease of accessing governance and also the existence of an unprofessional approach in India from a large number of ‘public servants’ towards the public.
The author aptly weighs the efficacy of the country’s administrative system, recruitment agencies and anti-corruption watchdog among others in the book from the common man’s eye in a simplistic, easy to read and lucid format. The "15 sutras of good governance" that the book describes is actually a synopsis of Ashwin's journalistic career, who has put down the crux of his entire experience of 15 years to analyse and present how India could be a country with better governance.
Ashwini Shrivastava has been practicing journalism for over 15 years and is considered as a credible resource person on matters related to India’s governance, bureaucracy, Right to Information (RTI) Act and anti-corruption matters among others. He is, in fact, one of the few journalists in the country who regularly exercises his Right to Information (RTI) in journalism by getting governance related details from different central government departments.
At present, Shrivastava is working with the Press Trust of India (PTI) at its Delhi’s office as an Assistant Editor.
