My prose writings
Again, with the politics of the office, he did put with the competition & he was selected to the office as Head of the Department as a young age of 39. Seniors became his junior, along with the senior who got him to court. He had no intensions to humiliate the senior officer for which he suggested to the government to create a deputy post so that he can be promoted too & work comfortably. Well accepted by the government they all worked in harmony for 19 long years till he retired. During the regime of Mr. Chiman Bhai Patel as Chief Minister, a proposal was sent by his department to upgrade his position to that of the Commissioner of Electricity. Prior to this he was granted the pay scale of secretary. It was accepted at all levels except the chief minister, for the reasons best known to him. He feels in his entire career in the government, he had just one unpleasant experience with CM, not related to work but his temperament and that was with Shri Chiman Bhai. In the year 1995, when BJP came to power, the proposal was revived, and it was accepted immediately with the rider that this upgradation was exclusively for him, and the position would be downgraded the day he retires. This designation and pay scale were offered to him for the first time in the history in any state of the country. It makes him honoured that till date he remains the first and last Commissioner of Electricity in the country from the engineering cadre. He was asked to continue for at least 2 more years on extension after retirement, but he refused as it would block the prospects of others. With good wishes from all, and a very warm send off party, he left the organisation with utmost satisfaction.
Describing his various experiences with ministers and legislators he has fond memories with many of them. He says that he got lot of respect from politicians like Keshu Bapa (Chief Minister), Vajubhai Vala (Energy Minister), Kaushikbhai Patel (Energy Minister) and vividly remembers his relationship with Mahendra Bhai Trivedi (Legislative Assembly member). It was Shri Vajubhai Vala, who whole heartedly supported in all his proposals. He cannot forget the establishment officer, who posed as his close friend and back stabbed him. He thankfully remembers the help rendered by Shri Khoda bhai Patel of Mehsana (who subsequently became industries minister) which helped him shape his future. He remembers Madhavsinhji Solanki with profound respect for his administrative ability and cool temperament with one & all. He describes his first experience with him in legislative assembly during the wide amendments to Bombay Electricity Duty Act. This was in the year 1983, which was just beginning of his new career as H.O.D. He cannot forget the coolness with which he handled an amendment proposal by Moiz during the discussion on the subject while recess break of the session. He respects him for his nobility to understand views of the officers. He also narrates about two other CMs, One Shri Suresh Mehta, who was very methodical and would cross check all the numbers given to him during the meeting. He was full of warmth and very friendly. Second, was Shri Shanker Sinh Waghela, who was for a very brief period and wanted him to become technical member of GEB the highest post of the organization which he thankfully declined. Shri Dilip Bhai Patel, CM for very brief period, has also extremely good rapport with him. He also remembers with extreme respect his relationship with two other energy ministers, Shri Harisinhji Mahida and Shri Nalinbhai Patel. Shri Mahida was like a fatherly figure for him and Nalinbhai was like an elder brother. His interaction with Shri Narendra Modi was very brief as he became CM after his retirement. Though he was appointed as advisor after three months of retirement and appointed as chairman of the state level committee to examine certain conditions of the energy suppliers. He accepted his report with full satisfaction and warmth. He feels greatly obliged when at the last month, team of CM Keshu Bapa, energy minister, his personal secretary, energy secretary and other senior bureaucrats all with their full support granted him the pay scale of principal secretary (once again for the first time) in this cadre. This improved his pension benefits.
He gives credit to his superior officers for imbibing in him to work tirelessly without bothering for time and disposal of work on day-to-day basis.
Two months after his retirement, he was asked to rejoin as an adviser for which he agreed to join. Certain circumstances however compelled him to resign within 5 months & join his children in US/Canada. While was on foreign land, certain disgruntled elements were successful in creating misunderstanding which they could not succeed with all their efforts during the entire service period. This was to mar his excellent rapport all throughout irrespective of the party in power. He explains such mischiefs are quite common in government by disgruntled elements who try to take disadvantage at every available opportunity.
His feeling is that destiny brought different unexpected turns in his career, and though efforts were made to block his progress, and he also refused other tempting offers, as it was his destiny to work as Head of Department of Government of Gujarat and though after retirement, he wanted to rejoin but destiny did not want that”.
Today he lives a retired life enjoying with his beloved wife, regularly doing his yoga, exercise along with his religious practices & most important siesta in the afternoon. An avid reader, he also enjoys his time on his cell phone and laptop keeping up with the happenings around.
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