The first few days within the district administration were all about understanding the bureaucracy, talking to officials and demystifying the complex structural hierarchies. A major part of this effort was breaking ice with government officials who seemed to be in a perpetual state of urgency, deliberation or confusion depending on the time of the day. Thus, the first few brave - hearted attempts at directly interacting with officers without an introduction were only met with stares, cynicism about the scheme and some uncomfortable questions about our salary.
However, things began to change when the Collector himself talked about the scheme and our roles in one of the weekly meetings. Suddenly everyone, right from the chowkidaars to the babus and the officers, were talking with some respect. Respect in the bureaucracy mostly comes from the post that you hold and who is backing you up. And for all the talk about being humble and staying grounded in the field, the ice breaking only happens when you show where you come from!
However, things began to change when the Collector himself talked about the scheme and our roles in one of the weekly meetings. Suddenly everyone, right from the chowkidaars to the babus and the officers, were talking with some respect. Respect in the bureaucracy mostly comes from the post that you hold and who is backing you up. And for all the talk about being humble and staying grounded in the field, the ice breaking only happens when you show where you come from!
2 comments:
so true Anshuman....i m sure all of us wud agree on this!!!!
Oh...this would be helpful to the new batch, I guess. Thanks.
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