Beware: Displaying self-confidence in front of [dictator] Modiji can harm your career, as this IAS officer learns the hard way

by confuzzled dude Sun May 17, 2015 10:47 am

Sunday’s newspapers carry a photograph of a well-dressed, or should I say, "suited-booted" businessman bent double in front of Prime Minister Modi at a gathering of Indians in Shanghai. "A businessman seeking blessings of the PM", reads the Press Trust of India (PTI) caption, reproduced by most publications. It is not immediately clear why those blessings were necessary from a year-old prime minister whose report card reads "satisfactory but not brilliant".

Modi’s expression in that photo is that of a giver. Wherever our politicians go, we line up in front of them, bending, stooping, shuffling, touching their feet.

Amit Kataria, on the other hand, did not bend over. The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer based in Bastar greeted the prime minister while standing ramrod straight, extending his hand in a firm handshake. Apparently, that did not go down well. His attire was frowned upon; why was he wearing sunglasses, why a shirt and not a bandhgala?

But there is a sub-text to that greeting. What Kataria seems to have got wrong is not his attire but his demeanour. "I serve the nation, not any politician" is what he seems to say.

That’s not the way to play it, Kataria.

As a sign of loyalty, of humility, we bend in front of political leaders. In office, we are yes-men, rarely speaking out. We are taught to respect age and experience with this constant bending and shuffling.

http://www.dailyo.in/politics/modi-modi-in-china-amit-kataria-ias-rahul-gandhi-trs-telangana-farmers-suicide/story/1/3775.html

by confuzzled dude Sun May 17, 2015 11:01 am

Beware: Displaying self-confidence in front of [dictator] Modiji can harm your career, as this IAS officer learns the hard way 7adbd8ee-8246-496c-a56b-2705afb5392dwallpaper1

By the time he saw off Modi, Kataria had changed into a white shirt with black stripes and still had his sunglasses on. Devsenapathi was seen wearing a white shirt in Modi’s presence.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-govt-reprimands-ias-officer-for-wearing-sunglasses-flashy-clothes/article1-1347428.aspx

Beware: Displaying self-confidence in front of [dictator] Modiji can harm your career, as this IAS officer learns the hard way

Beware: Displaying self-confidence in front of [dictator] Modiji can harm your career, as this IAS officer learns the hard way

Re: Beware: Displaying self-confidence in front of [dictator] Modiji can harm your career, as this IAS officer learns the hard way