The Civil Services Forum, St. Stephen's college had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Alwyn Didar Singh, a former Indian civil servant and the former Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).He is an alumnus of St. Stephen's college(1969-1974). Read on as he shares his civil services journey and his valuable experiences working with various ministries.
1. Since you were in college as a history student for five long years, how was your experience at St. Stephens and how has it played a role in shaping your personality through these years?
Credibility is the key factor that I have acquired through my association with St. Stephen's College and the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). If you are curious about how I entered the civil services, let me share my journey. Following college, I dedicated two years to teaching history in the college. Surprisingly, I initially had no intentions of taking the civil services exam; it was more of a challenge. I impulsively decided to take the exam and successfully passed it. In 1976, when I joined, there were over 120 individuals in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and IAS. Interestingly, 50 of them hailed from Delhi University, and more than 40 were from my college. Since I had taught six out of my eight subjects during my college years, I possessed a significant advantage. Despite an average performance in the interview, my strong results in the written exam allowed me to enter the civil services. Interestingly, my initial preference was the foreign service, but I was unable to secure a position and ended up in the administrative services.
2. How has your experience in various ministries contributed to your overall understanding of governance and administration?
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) offers a wide range of benefits, and one of its most notable advantages is the diverse array of experiences it offers. Over the course of my thirty-year career, I have had the privilege of working in more than thirty different roles across various departments. While the specific responsibilities may change frequently, the central focus remains consistent – effective administration and people management. We excel at quickly adapting to new challenges, dedicating three months to each subject in order to gain expertise. This proficiency is further enhanced by the education we receive at esteemed institutions such as St. Stephen's College. In a relatively short period of time, I have become well-versed in areas such as cooperation, health, industry, infrastructure, and more.
3. In your opinion, how does exposure to diverse ministries enhance the skills and capabilities of civil servants?
As previously stated, the system enables individuals to acquire expertise in a particular field within a span of three months. By working in 20 different ministries, one can gain proficiency in 20 distinct areas, which is truly remarkable. While enhancing your overall skills, having a liberal background from St. Stephen's College proves advantageous. Amidst all these endeavors, I even pursued a PhD, which ultimately proved to be pivotal.
4. How has your understanding of the socio-economic landscape evolved over the years through your service in various different ministries?
Over the years, the most significant lesson we have learned is the importance of 'empathy'. Understanding empathy can be challenging, but essentially it means treating development as an extension of showing compassion towards the ordinary person. Possessing empathy enables us to accomplish meaningful tasks and do so in the correct manner. This concept has truly transformed me as an individual, as well as everyone else involved in development, regardless of whether we were engaged in cooperation, district work, infrastructure, or any other aspect. Development is all about finding the right approach to do things correctly, and this mindset is accompanied by empathy because we strive to benefit the common man. In today's world, I firmly believe that empathy plays a crucial role in addressing climate change. In order to adapt to environmental challenges, we must incorporate empathy into our actions. This is the path that is right for us as individuals and as public servants.
5. What strategies should be employed to foster innovation and creativity in bureaucracy?
The crucial element is 'Empathy'. When one possesses a genuine desire to assist their fellow human beings, all other pieces fall into their rightful places. Every task, whether it involves teaching at a university, acquiring knowledge as a student, or engaging in a specific ministry, is approached with dedication and a desire to excel. Through this pursuit of excellence, one naturally acquires new knowledge and skills, which in turn leads to innovation and creativity. There is no alternative, and the true driving force behind this desire for excellence is empathy.
6. In recent times, we have witnessed the rise of various leaders of Indian origin in the Western countries such as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the UK and Vivek Ramaswamy in the USA. What impact does this trend have on the Indian diaspora in those countries as well as that nation’s relations with India?
India has a significant diaspora spread across the globe. Diaspora is, undoubtedly, a valuable resource. In fact, I have specialized in this area and have written a book called 'The Politics of Migration', where I explore the idea that migration allows individuals to transform their expertise into political strength. This is a stage that all diaspora communities go through, not just the Indian diaspora. Initially, they become involved in the society of their new home, then they find employment, engage in business, and ultimately contribute to socio-economic development. As socio-economic development progresses, political development follows, leading to the rise of individuals like Ramaswamy and Rishi Sunak. The success of the Indian diaspora worldwide, particularly in regions where we are a majority such as the Caribbean, Fiji, and Mauritius, contributes to their achievements. Many graduates from St. Stephen's College have gone on to achieve great success in the US and the UK, establishing various businesses. From there, they aspire to attain political power, and we are witnessing their rise as governors and political leaders. This is expected, as India also sees them as a valuable resource. Therefore, the diaspora's success benefits both the individuals and the country as a whole.
7. Can you provide guidance on the interview process, including common pitfalls to avoid and key areas to focus on?
In my opinion, the true essence lies in embracing one's authentic self. Having served on numerous interview panels myself, from my perspective, the genuine nature of an individual is the ultimate key, and as a graduate from St. Stephen's, you possess the advantage of being true to yourself. With a prestigious educational background and a solid foundation, everything falls into place harmoniously.
8. Are you of the opinion that India is facing a brain-drain of human resources?
The government has consistently maintained and continues to assert that it is not brain drain, but rather brain gain. When individuals venture overseas, they acquire valuable knowledge and skills, subsequently returning to India to disseminate and apply their skills and expertise. It is not a depletion of talent; instead, it is an advantageous acquisition for our nation.