View from Kollam: A Day in the Life of a Sub-Collector

An unflinching look at how India can be governed better <p/>GETTING IT RIGHT IN KOLLAM <p/>In his debut book On a Clear Day You Can See India C. Balagopal gave an anecdotal account of his early years as a young IAS officer in Manipur. While the stories were about ordinary people often amusing and sometimes sombre they also dealt with the underlying issues of identity in the North East. <p/>In The View from Kollam Balagopal continues to regale us with his skills as a raconteur with his ability to see a story even in the most mundane occurrences in a small district office. He recounts stories that dwell on the events that defined his work as a district official in Kollam Kerala in the early 1980s. Amid the rough and tumble of daily work there are engrossing tales that illustrate the skill dexterity and sincerity that a district official needs to overcome hurdles and keep the administration moving. <p/>What shines through in this worm's-eye view of administration is Balagopal's earnest belief that given the space for original thought and action it is the district that holds the key to improving governance in a large and diverse country like India.