About the author:

During his career spanning 38 years, Anil Swarup strived to 'make it happen'. Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, he did his Master’s in Political Science from Allahabad University in 1978 where he was also awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal for being the Best All-Round Student. Before joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1981, he served in the Indian Police Service for a year. He won the Director's Gold Medal for the Best Officer Trainee at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. As a civil servant, he held various assignments within the State (Uttar Pradesh) as well as in the Central Government. During the final years of his career, he served as Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Coal where he handled the aftermath of the coal scam. Thereafter, he served as Secretary, School Education and Literacy, where he attempted to foster public-private partnerships to improve the quality of school education.

He has won several awards and nominations, the prominent one being nominated as one of the Policy Change Agents by The Economics Times during the years 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2016. He was also selected as one of the 35 Action Heroes in India Today's 35th Annual Edition.

He is the Founder Chairman of Nexus of Good, an initiative towards recognizing positive actions and thereby inspiring society to replicate them. He is the author of well-known books like Not Just a Civil Servant, Ethical Dilemmas of a Civil Servant, and No More a Civil Servant.

About the book:

In Encounters with Politicians, Anil Swarup takes us on a riveting journey through the labyrinth that civil servants need to navigate. With nearly four decades of experience, he shares candid and insightful stories of interactions with politicians of all ranks. From grassroots leaders to Prime Ministers, each encounter offers a unique window into the world of governance. With each anecdote, Swarup dispels stereotypes and reveals the intricate dance between compromise and accommodation that is required to navigate the complex landscape of Indian democracy. Encounters With Politicians not only paints vivid portraits of political figures but also underscores the profound impact they have on the nation's trajectory. It is a compelling exploration of the human side of politics, where personalities and principles collide, shaping the destiny of a nation.