It is a book* by Dr. Srikant Baldi, a 1985 batch IAS officer who distills decades of public service into a warm, reflective narrative about the land he served and the people who shaped him.
A scholar, a doer, and a widely travelled man, the author captures the social, cultural, and developmental transformation of the state. He traveled abroad with the intent of bringing back everything useful for Himachal.
Dr. Baldi treads his journey from the early stages of his career in the Rajasthan Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service to his subsequent role as one of Himachal Pradesh’s most senior administrators. He shares both achievements and challenges, offering readers a realistic picture of public administration and policymaking.
Through personal anecdotes, field experiences, and administrative case studies, he reveals the complexities behind government decision-making. He acknowledges the limitations of the administrative system while highlighting the positive impact that committed officers can make.
How ideas are shaped into policies, and how the officer at the helm of it can be instrumental in streamlining the flow of governance.
The public loses faith in official advice when leaders send mixed messages. Compromises may water down policies so much that they no longer solve the original problem.
The memoir becomes, in many ways, a social history of modern Himachal Pradesh seen through the eyes of an administrator who participated in shaping it. That makes it an administrative archive.
It provides an honest look at the challenges of working within a bureaucratic framework and building lasting regulatory institutions, with the author being the pioneer of HP RERA. Seniors look at the big picture, while juniors focus on task-level details. Conflicts, however, may arise when people ask for equations.
The book stands as a vital piece of contemporary administrative literature that will undoubtedly serve as a guide and source of inspiration for future generations of civil servants.
The writing style is simple, coherent, and informal; He writes with an engaging, simple prose. Overall, ‘My Himachal, My Journey’ is an inspiring and informative work that combines autobiography, governance, and regional history.
Prof. (Er.) Chander P Mahajan is an art critic & a free lance journalist. The Environmentalist stays in Shimla and Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, India.
