About the Author

Inderjit Khanna Author and Former Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan Born into a humble Indian Christian family on 10th February 1943 in Delhi, Mr. Inderjit Khanna is an alumnus of Sherwood College, Nainital and of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi from where he did his B.Sc. (Honours) and M.Sc. in Mathematics in 1964. Mr. Khanna joined the IAS in July 1966 and was allotted Rajasthan cadre. He served as Collector of Barmer, Banswara and Bhilwara districts; Director, Primary and Secondary Education; Commissioner, Tribal Area Development and as Secretary of the Planning, Energy and Finance Departments of the state. He has the unique distinction of working as a full time Visiting Professor at India’s premier management institute, IIM, Ahmedabad and also as Secretary of the University Grants Commission. Mr. Khanna had a successful innings of 13 years in the Government of India as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, as Additional Secretary and Special Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, and as Enforcement Director (ED). He served as the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan for three years. After retirement, Mr. Khanna was appointed as State Election Commissioner and ensured timely, fair and peaceful conduct of elections to the rural and urban local bodies. Over the last fourteen years he has contributed with his experience as a mentor to several organizations in the health, education, skill and rural development sectors.

Flashes Before My Eyes: The Civil Service and More - By Inderjit Khanna Foreword by Amitabh Bachchan

This autobiography is about the personal and professional life of a civil servant. The book seeks to cover the sacrifices made by his parents in bringing up their three children, of which he is the youngest. It emphasizes the importance that the parents laid on the education and upbringing of the children even at the cost of the basic amenities in their life. Having been a classmate of Amitabh Bachchan at Sherwood, the chapter on his school life dwells on this relationship with the actor. He has shared his experiences and struggles, right from his childhood, school and college days, his career in the civil service and thereafter. Mr. Khanna has particularly highlighted his service in two worlds. Over 13 years in the field of rural development where it was about service to the poorest in society and then again of rubbing shoulders with the czars of Indian industry while he was in the Ministry of Finance for four years. He raises the question of what should be the ideal role of government. Should it be tilted towards the large majority of poor or the minority of rich. The book contains a variety of experiences, both positive and negative and interaction with public at large, businessmen and politicians. The author emphasises that the process of learning never ends. The importance of values in life and work has been stressed. The author acknowledges the role of the ‘Invisible Hand’ , the Lord above, in guiding and protecting him throughout his service career. The book should provide good reading for the aspirants and to all those already in the civil service.