An Administrator's Perspective From North East

Book Code: 1111025237881

Aalok Shrivastava

ABOUT THE BOOK

This book in eight sections brings to light 50 articles, impressions and poems of author. It also includes poems and stories by Ankoor, author's only child who died after seeing 22 springs.

First section on changing lifestyles throws light on consumer goods, person to person communication, travel by bus & air and all pervading Social Media.

Second section concerns health from perspective of patients and doctors. Apart from water and food anomalies, it also has crucial articles on aspects of Covid-19 management.

Third section is on protection of Environment in respect of water conservation, steps for checking pollution, natural calamities and global warming. Two vital 'days' concerning Sparrows and

Environment too have been dealt with.
World Affairs section deals with Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, China and Pakistan, besides leadership challenges and changing equations in world politics.

Significant section on public domain has raised issues on Corruption, Over population and Elections with a note on 75 years in retrospect. Section on Eminent Persons has attempted to look at Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Lata Mangeshkar, Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Khuswant Singh, Sachin Tendulkar and Bhaichung Bhutia.

Miscellany has write ups on Mount Everest expedition, India in Tokyo Olympics, frank thoughts on Civil Services Day, real life impressions and poems.

Section on ANKOOR has five touching poems and two stories written at a tender age.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born on 24 September, 1959, Aalok Shrivastava joined IAS, Sikkim Cadre in August, 1984. A product of St. John's School and St. Xavier's College, Ranchi, he has an M.A. and M.Phil. in Sociology from JNU. It was followed by another M.Phil. in Social Sciences, Post Gratuate Diplomas in Labour Law and Public Administration and a course on Sustainable Development from TERI.

An author of three books and Co-editor of one, he has 300 articles to his credit.He has kept interests alive in writing, photography, disaster management and philanthropy. Significant posts held by him are: D.D.O., D.C., Resident Commissioner, and head of departments, such as, Home, Tourism, Transport, Commerce & Industry, Science & Technology, Irrigation, Social Justice & Pollution Control Board.

He has also served as Director, MHA, J.S, NHRC and Project Director of a World Bank project in Ministry of DoNER.

Closing his innings of 35.3 years, he was the Chief Secretary, Sikkim for 4.4 years, the longest so far. Among his notable contributions are construction of first airport of state and resumption of Nathu La border trade after 43 years. He is vigorously pursuing first rail link to the state.

He is qualified to express his views through his articles, impressions and poems in this book. It also has poems and stories penned by Ankoor, his only child, who is no more.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgement
(A) CHANGING LIFESTYLES ................................................ 11
1. Modernization of Indian Consumer Goods Tradition 13
2. Communication Through The Ages In India 17
3. Travel By A City Bus 24
4. Flying May Be Safest, But Is It Safe To Fly Nowadays ? 28
5. Social Media and Freedom of Speech 33
(B) HEALTH IS WEALTH......................................................... 41
6. Exercise & Yoga Help, Mindset & Life Style Too Need Changes 43
7. Illnesses Caused Both By Self & Medical Negligence 47
8. Polluted Water, Fruits, Milk and Vegetables adding to Covid Woes 53
9. Await COVID19
Third Wave, Face Uncertain Weather 59
10. COVID Prevention and Control: Introspection Need of the Hour 66
11. Corona Vaccine: Fair Distribution and Reduced Pricing Matter 72
12. One Hundred Crores Surpassed, Yet Miles to Cover 76
13. From Corona to Omicron, Apprehension or Fear Lingers on 85
14. CORONA and CORONATICS: Are we Alive to Ethics and
Morality Aspects ? 90
(C) PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT ............................... 99
15. Conserve Water As Mercury Shoots 101
16. Come September, Has It Not Come With A Bang?
Remembering River Valley Civilisations 106
17. Strategy Regarding Air, Water Pollution and Landslides
Requires Review 111
18. Global Warming : Warming of Weather and Consumers 117
19. World Sparrow Day 121
20. World Environment Day 125
21. Natural Calamities : North East & Afghanistan Scenarios 129

(D) INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ........................................... 135
22. Changing Equations in World Living and Politics 137
23. Afghanistan Again at Crossroads? 143
24. Once Again…. Taliban’s Afghanistan 147
25. Taliban’s Afghanistan : Will Positive Vibes Emerge This Time ? 151
26. IndoChina
Relations Down the Years 156
27. With the Attack on Ukraine, is Third World War Inevitable? 160
28. Tough Resistance by Ukraine to Imposed War 165
29. From Kashmir to Ukraine File: Unending Seize of Mariupol 170
30. Never Ending Ukraine War: Expected Conduct
During Devastation and Interrogation 174
31. Praise India’s Foreign Policy, Then Rake Up Kashmir 178
32. No End to Black Outs, Shortages and Violence in Sri Lanka 183
33. Leadership Challenges in Europe, Middle East & Asia 186
(E) IN PUBLIC DOMAIN ........................................................ 193
34. Bureaucracy and Corruption 195
35. Election Tourism in India 203
36. 2022 Mini General Elections: Modus Operandi,
Trends and Patterns 207
37. U.N. Population Projection: Concerns For India 211
38. 75 Years In Retrospect 217
(F) EMINENT PERSONS ........................................................ 227
39. Relevance of Gandhi in Present Context 229
40. Gandhi Smiriti : Sab Jan Hitaay, Sab Jan Sukhay 234
41. Nelson Mandela 240
42. Lata Mangeshkar : Nightingale of the World 243
43. Dilip Kumar, an Uncrowned Legend of 20th Century 246
44. Rajesh Khanna : End Of An Era 249
45. An Afternoon With Khushwant Singh 253
46. Sachin Tendulkar, Epitome of Simplicity 256
47. Fantasy Soccer With Bhaichung Bhutia 259
(G) MISCELLANY ................................................................... 263
48. Sikkim Expedition to Mount Everest 264
49. Tokyo Olympics: Best Ever Performance by Bharat Desh 270
50. Civil Services Day : Frankly Speaking 274
51. The Umbrella 277

52. Demise of A Promising Teenager 280
53. Torepkiu of Wapher 285
POEMS
54. Rabdentse Scenario 289
55. Syndrome of Economics 290
56. Life in Fast Lane 291
56A. dfork,¡ 292
(H) ANKOOR’S SECTION ...................................................... 295
57. Violence, Tolerance and Innocence 296
58. NatureA
Human, Swinging From Present To Future 299
59. Dramatic World 300
60. Bed of Flowers or Thorns ? 301
STORIES
61. A Tale Of Two Families 303
62. Cock and Bull 307
Notes 311
Index 315