Articles by Vithal Rajan

Myanmar: Can the Generals Resist Change? by K Yhome;

The Changing Face of Bureaucracy: Fifty Years of the IAS by Sanjoy Bagchi;

While Javeed Alam’s article ‘The Contemporary Muslim Situation in India: A Long-Term View’ (January 12) deals instructively with the contemporary Muslim situation in India, it necessarily skips over the predicament of individual famous Muslims, who are targeted by “Hindutva” forces.

The draft report of the IAS induction training syllabus review committee proposes use of learning modules on various socio-economic issues to raise awareness among serving officers . But how far will these officers find space to successfully tackle these issues in a system designed to be deferential to powerful commercial interests? The truly dedicated officers will have to band together and make small positive changes.

Against the backdrop of intellectuals in the western countries projecting Gandhi as a spiritual-philosopher rather than a political activist, this article restates Gandhi's political strategy and spiritual quest. It also reminds us that we have to desist from gutting the centrality of politics in Gandhi's life and mission.