Avay Shukla

<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 and 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 on 6th July 2021. Titled INDIA: THE WASTED YEARS , the book is a chronicle of missed opportunities in the last nine years. Shukla's fifth book - THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER'S DOG AND OTHER COLLEAGUES- was released on 12th September 2023. It portrays the lighter side of life in the IAS and in Himachal. He 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 http://avayshukla.blogspot.in/</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Blogs, Environment, General, OpinionJune 26, 2014<June 26, 2014

Mr Modi And The Environment – A Green Vision Or A Grey Area?

In every other area of governance Mr. Modi has shown that he possesses the vision, integrity, leadership qualities, decision making ability, courage, connect with the people and self belief which alone can deliver a better (in every sense) life to all Indians.

It is now time for him to demonstrate these same qualities in the cause of preserving the country’s natural wealth, ecology and environment.Mr Modi And The Environment – A Green Vision Or A Grey Area?

Blogs, Energy, Himachal, OpinionJune 11, 2014<June 12, 2014

Death On The Beas – Many Questions, One Cover Up

It is quite evident that the Larji project has not been following the prescribed safety and environmental protocols that its licence imposes on it, and that the practices it does follow are harmful and damaging to the environment and the residents of that area.

Blogs, General, Himachal, OpinionJune 9, 2014<June 9, 2014

The Beas Tragedy – How Many Lives Is One Megawatt Worth?

The death of twenty four students owing to a sudden surge in the Beas at Thalout by the release of waters from the Larji Dam yesterday is another instance of how the hydel projects in Himachal just don’t give a damn about safety-whether it is of the environment or of human beings.

Blogs, Opinion, PoliticsMay 20, 2014<May 21, 2014

The Modi Effect – One Nation, One India, One Indian

Modi has reawakened and united a Hindu psyche that had somehow, by some twisted political logic, been bludgeoned into a state of self reproach and self-denial by mercenary politicians , an effete, English speaking, ersatz liberal intelligentsia and secular fundamentalists.

Blogs, Elections, Featured news, General, Opinion, PoliticsMay 12, 2014<May 12, 2014

The Election Commission – Clueless, Toothless And Speechless

Never before has the authority and impartiality of the Commission been challenged in this manner, never before has it been WARNED by a candidate to behave itself, never has it been defied by a state government to do its worst, never before has it been warned of retribution by a state government, rarely has its officials been obstructed as this time.

Blogs, OpinionApril 29, 2014<April 29, 2014

Last Tango in Service – The Great Reemployment Gold Rush

The only good thing to emerge out of the questionable comments of Mr. RK Singh (ex-Home Secretary) and the indiscreet writings of Messers Parekh…

Blogs, Elections, India, Opinion, PoliticsApril 8, 2014<April 8, 2014

Why Kejriwal And AAP Cannot Be Allowed To Fail

Make no mistake, at its core-shorn of the gift wrapping of the manifestos – ALL political parties in India are the same in their essence, in their lack of the values and virtues that make successful civilisations. Except One

BlogsMarch 30, 2014<March 30, 2014

Is the Indian voter a moron?

An odd question, I admit, but it must be asked in the light of all that is happening nowadays. The Indian voter stands proudly…

Blogs, Elections, General, OpinionMarch 21, 2014<March 21, 2014

Elections And Black Money – Good Economics?

Elections, through the instrument of black money, achieve what most governmenrt policies have failed to do for the last fifty years- the redistribution of wealth from the rich to the not so well off. As long as the lucre was kept locked up it belonged to a fat cat, untaxed and unutilised.

BlogsMarch 16, 2014<March 16, 2014

Clueless in Delhi – A Potpourri Of Random Thoughts

Just about every medium of communication these days- television, print, hoardings, social media, even the “chai pe charcha”– is dominated by politics, to the…