<table> <tbody> <tr> <td>The author retired from the IAS in December 2010. A keen environmentalist and trekker he has published a book on high altitude trekking in the Himachal Himalayas: THE TRAILS LESS TRAVELLED. His second book- SPECTRE OF CHOOR DHAR is a collection of short stories based in Himachal that was published in July 2019. His third book was released in August 2020: POLYTICKS, DEMOCKRAZY AND MUMBO JUMBO is a compilation of satirical and humorous articles on the state of our nation. His fourth book was published in July 2021. INDIA: THE WASTED YEARS - chronicles all the missed opportunities in the last nine years. His fifth book - THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER'S DOG AND OTHER COLLEAGUES - released in September 2023, portrays the lighter side of life in the IAS and in Himachal. He published his sixth book, DISAPPEARING DEMOCRACY-DISMANTLING OF A NATION in March 2024; it is a commentary on events from 2021 to the present, a sequel to THE WASTED YEARS. Shukla writes for various publications and websites on the environment, governance and social issues. He divides his time between Delhi and his cottage in a small village above Shimla. He blogs at <a href="http://avayshukla.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://avayshukla.blogspot.com&source=gmail&ust=1736664371498000&usg=AOvVaw3o_LPdYzXi-iEODoei4RXj">avayshukla.blogspot.com</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
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