As Good as My Word: A Memoir by K.M. Chandrasekhar

vandana.rathore@harpercollins.co.in | 22 November 2022

HarperCollins

presents

As Good as My Word

by K.M. Chandrasekhar

In an illustrious career spanning over forty years in public service and culminating in the highest office in Indian bureaucracy—Union Cabinet Secretary—K.M. Chandrasekhar has seen, and done, it all. In this autobiography, he paints an intimate picture of the UPA government during one of its toughest phases and his own, crucial, role in steering India through some of her most severe crises.

Unsparingly honest and forthright, and packed with political gossip, the book offers a ringside view of Indian politics and bureaucracy during the UPA era.

Paperback | Non-fiction| Biography, Memoir and True Story | 312 pp | Rs 599

Available Wherever Books Are Sold | Releasing 10^th Dec 2022

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‘A richly detailed memoir, recounting K.M. Chandrasekhar’s long and distinguished career as a civil servant and diplomat.’

Shashi Tharoor, author and Member of Parliament

Author, K.M. Chandrasekhar, says, “This is an attempt to narrate my views and events in my life, unvarnished, with warts and all, hiding neither my shortcomings or failures, nor those of other dramatis personae. For successes and achievements, I have endeavoured to give credit to whomever I felt it was due. Some views may appear strong, some may see certain sections as untrue or distorted, but the book is written without rancour, with good feeling towards all, the result of many years of reflection over the events described and the benefit of ripening experience as age advances and new facts surface. I do not claim infallibility and I accept the fact that there can be different constructions of the same event. I hope readers will enjoy reading the book and that it adds value to the many dimensions of Indian administration.”

Associate Publisher, Swati Chopra, says, “Few civil servants have the kind of career trajectory as K.M. Chandrasekhar, having worked for over forty years in state administration, central administration and as a distinguished diplomat. His memoirs provide behind-the-scenes insights into the process of decision-making and what it takes to achieve significant results at the highest level of government, while conducting oneself with impeccable integrity.”

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ABOUT THE BOOK

‘On 19 May 2007, I was summoned to the Prime Minister’s house … He

thought I would be right for the job.’

In an illustrious career spanning over forty years in public service and culminating in the highest office in Indian bureaucracy—Union Cabinet Secretary—K.M. Chandrasekhar has seen, and done, it all. He is one of those rare IAS officers who has held a wide range of senior positions in State government, the Centre, and public sector undertakings.

In this autobiography, he paints an intimate picture of the UPA government during one of its toughest phases and his own, crucial, role in steering India through some of her most severe crises—the Great Recession of 2008, the oilmen’s strike in 2009, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and scams—the 2G Spectrum case and the 2010 Commonwealth Games corruption scandal. This book describes Chandrasekhar’s experiments in public administration, cutting his teeth in trade diplomacy as the Indian ambassador to the World Trade Organization, his excellent working equation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, his run-ins with some prominent ministers of the time, and his reflections on Indian democracy, economy and defence.

As Good as My Word is the story of the successes and failures of a civil servant, who successfully navigated challenging areas of public life. Unsparingly honest and forthright, and packed with political gossip, the book offers a ringside view of Indian politics and bureaucracy during the UPA era

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K.M. Chandrasekhar is a former IAS officer of the 1970 batch, who served as the Cabinet Secretary of India from 2007 to 2011. In a career spanning five decades, he has traversed many sectors—district administration, public finance, taxation, national security and international diplomacy, among others. He was the Founder Chairman of the Spices Board, India’s Ambassador to the WTO and the Union Revenue Secretary. He was Vice Chairman, Kerala State Planning Board, and has also held the position of Secretary for Industries and Finance departments in the Kerala government.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

‘K.M. Chandrasekhar’s memoir takes us on a fascinating journey with one of India’s most accomplished civil servants as he navigated some of the momentous challenges in India’s recent history. This is a rare and penetrating look at governance in India in all its complexity.’

—Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary, India

‘K.M. Chandrasekhar’s unmatched problem-solving approach and the openness to collaborate with multiple stakeholders, as narrated in this book, is bound to inspire the administrative discourse. This autobiography captures what it takes for an administrator to navigate through complex roles and relationships to render one’s duties effectively, while keeping the greater interests of the people and the nation at heart. A must-read!’

—Dr S. Ramadorai, former CEO & MD, Tata Consultancy Services

‘A dispassionate, masterly and informative account of the concatenated role of bureaucracy and politics in governance from an insider’s perspective.’

—Prabhu Chawla, Editorial Director, The New Indian Express

‘The author provides his candid comments on the eventful, indeed turbulent, years when he was at the helm of the civil service, and equally candid comments on some recent trends in India that are clearly a matter of concern to him. What the reader gets, therefore, are rich insights into the working of an administrator’s mind, from his early career to his post-retirement engagements. Some telling asides and anecdotes provide added flavour.’

—T.N. Ninan, former Chairman & Director, Business Standard Private Limited

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For reviews, excerpts, interviews, and more information, please contact Vandana Rathore at
vandana.rathore@harpercollins.co.in