Remembering Mummy - Dayavanti Khemchand

Remembering Mummy
Dayavanti Khemchand

Her maternal grandfather Rai Saheb Naunehal Singh sent a proposal for marriage through a letter of 4 th March 1937, with address of Chamber of Princes New Delhi to  Shri Khemchand, who was  then posted as Nazim in Rajgarh in District Alwar, having succeeded in the competitive examination for the Services of Alwar State, which was then a prominent Princely State.  The marriage between Dayavanti and Khemchand  took place on 15th April i.e. soon after the proposal was received . Indeed quick decision making on both sides . They were our parents .

It is without doubt that what our grand Nanaji said was fully true of her . She was educated , accomplished and good looking. However , we children realised , as we grew up that in fact she was a very talented person, but more than that, an extremely affectionate , adjusting,  duty bound and caring one l, extraordinary in many ways and for us an epitome of goodness .

Coming from a family background of Radhaswamis of Dayal Bagh,  Agra,  one of the  first things she had to adjust to, after marriage was to   a family that was Sanatani and where eating both vegetarian and non vegetarian food and having a drink in the evening was a way of life. We can now imagine how tough it must have been, but we never heard her complain . My memories only go back to her cooking  Kaliya ( mutton ) as  it was called in our house, Kababs and Pulou with commendable ease and finesse . It must have tasted very good because everyone enjoyed the dishes. And she made them without eating them because she herself  remained a vegetarian. Somehow I also became a vegetarian, the only one amongst the children.

Mummy

Mummy moved to different places as my father’s postings took place. The stint in Alwar, the family home, was for more than a decade, as Daddy's postings, took him to Rajgarh, Bansoor , Mundavar, Tijara.  What she felt like when he became the Collector of Alwar, on a fast track promotion in 1947 , we will never know , but it must have been undoubtedly  a proud moment. Five of us  were born in Alwar ie Titi ( PC Mathur 1940 ) Chanda (Kailash Mathur 1942  ) , Dolly (Manmohini 1944   ) Subhash ( 1947  ) and Puche( Subodh 1950   ) . Shammi ( Ashok 1949  ) was born in Bharatpur in January 1948 , when Daddy was transferred there as Collector . I was born in Jhalawar in June 1952 and Bhaiiya (Satish ) in Ajmer in June 1958 . She was the wife of the Collector and District Magistrate of the District of Alwar (twice ) , Bharatpur , Udaipur , Jhalwar , Bikaner and Ajmer . Living in Bungalows and served by staff and enjoying a premium position in society , with my father by  now having been inducted into the IAS through Integration Scheme with 1944 seniority ,however, seemed to have no effect of arrogance on her personality and she remained her humble and simple self, going about her household  and social life life with commitment and dedication. Though of course we know that she learnt shooting ( my father was an  excellent shot and was trained in service also ) and there is a photograph of hers with a gun on a shooting binge.

Now that we have our own households, we realise how skilled and talented Mummy was .Cooking and managing the household apart, she was very good at stitching, even making shirts for Daddy, embroidery , and knitting. Her sweaters with cable designs are  something I always remember  and miss. She surprised everyone by making Knicker Bockers for the young Satish while we were living in Jwala Bhavan Jaipur . I can never forget those smart red  and white checked  clothes. I also used to see her put Doras  in the Razais or Lehaf as we used to call them . It was indeed a marvel.

We used to celebrate some festivals with great enthusiasm : Holi , Diwali , Janamastami , Ramnomi, Sankrant  amongst others . For Diwali we always had Paapri and Gujaas and the Pooja place  had  Aipan decorations. So for Holi with Dahi Badas added. Sankrant was Til ke Ladoos and Ramnomi special was Aloo Poori ,Raita  and Halua . All these traditions were set by Mummy , which we all enjoyed and gradually imbibed and now endeavoring to take them further.

As a family belonging to the Kayastha community, our first priority was education. Mummy left no stone unturned to see that we all could go to schools , colleges and Universities without having to worry about anything . Studies were not to be neglected at any cost. This bore rich dividends as all of us children managed to do well and get into prestigious assignments and positions and have spouses and families of our own. She welcomed the daughter in laws like her own , and who too cared for her with great love and affection and today also miss her very much.

She was not very surprised when I topped in the ISC Exam in MGD in 1968  because I had been coming first in school classes .But my getting selected into the IAS in the year 1975 and getting a high rank, did make her very happy. I recall that when I used to go for one exam, then come back for a break and prepare to go again , ( our exam centre was where we have the Directorate of Agriculture near the Secretariat  on Bhagwan Das Road )  she would not only give lunch but make me eat one grape after another for energy, while I revised  my notes , somewhat nervous . However, immediately after my selection , the concern about my marriage started worrying her and it was not till I  told her about Rakesh that she felt at ease. She loved the simple civil marriage that we had , perhaps reminding her of her own civil marriage  long back.

Collectors wife

Cheers

Meenu Wedding

Viren-Dolly Wedding

With Sunita (grand daughter)

Garden

Dayawanti and Khemchand at Birthday Celebrations of Rakesh and Rajat

Mummy faced difficult and troubled times too. Yet she overcame them with grit and determination , in her own gentle and caring way . She was always there for us and everyone. All family and friends visiting our home always had a special attachment for her and were never untouched by her warmth and hospitality .

When she was  going to the hospital , after her severe burns that occurred accidentally during her prayers , I was in the car with her . Enroute I pointed out  to her the Police Memorial , also called Teen Moorti , that my mother in law Smt Usha Rani Hooja had made. Her response , even at that stage was something that is  unforgettable. Maine bhi Aath Moortiyaan bannai  hain , the reference obviously being to her own eight children! What a statement, I thought and was  completely bowled over and felt so proud!
And will feel forever .


Meenakshi Hooja
11 Uniara Bagh
Jaipur 302004
meenakshihooja1@gmail.com

24 th April 2020 Friday

Civil Services in India: A very brief History

Civil Services in India: A very brief History  
Meenakshi Hooja

21st April is Civil services day in India. In the very difficult times of the Covid 19 pandemic, it can be said and felt quite visibly, that like other professions and institutions, the civil services have risen to the occasion in dealing with the crisis that has unexpectedly gripped one country  after another,  including India. 

Administration in India

The recorded history of administration, as also of the civil services in India can be traced back to ancient times, especially to the Mauryan period (approximately 322 to 185 BCE) and the famous treatise Arthashastra of Kautilya / Chanakya. Many of the institutions like territorial Provinces with capitals, Mahamatyas,  Council of ministers, Departments headed by officers, Policing and intelligence systems, a sophisticated civil service, municipal governance can be seen continuing  from those days, though  in a  considerably modified form. 

Some new aspects were introduced during the days of the rule of the Sultans  and more so during the Mughal rule from mid 16th to early 18th century. As it became an empire, there were territorial  Subhas or Provinces,  Sarkars and Parganas, and separate  Departments for various activities, including Azir for land administration and revenue collection, Kotwals, Qanungoes and large number  other revenue and civil officials at the ground and field level. The land measurements, records and tax system in cash or kind on agriculture and crops also developed substantially  during this time, led by Raja Todar Mal  . Many of the designations are used even today .

The Advent of the British

With the advent of the British through the East India Company from mid seventeenth century and  more definitely after the Battle of Plassey and Buxar (June 1757 and 1764),  and the Company gaining Diwani rights or revenue collection rights, newer systems of Government and Administration began to be set up, though the earlier institutions did provide the basic structure. More changes took place once the British Government took over the reigns directly through the  Government of India Act of 1858, after  what they called the Mutiny and what has rightly been regarded by Indians as the First war of Independence. 

The Civil Services of today have their origins and their background in how they evolved during British times. The East India Company had what is often called the patronage system, i.e. the senior civil servants were  appointed on the basis of recommendations of the Court of Directors, and in fact were very young in age. They were often called Writers and that is why the  Secretariat is known as the Writers Building in Kolkata, the first capital of British India. The system of Covenanted and Uncovenanted civil service was laid down by Lord Cornwallis, also known as the  Father of Civil Services in India. The senior ones, mostly British, had to sign a covenant and were  part of the  prestigious Covenanted  civil service. During the Company times, this was known as the  Hon'ble East India Company Service  or the HEICS. While the Governor General and Governors of Provinces were mostly from the higher sections of the aristocracy, the other officers largely belonged to this service. They were  chiefly responsible for the spread of the Empire, along with the military forces. The system of District Administration, office of the Collector and District Magistrate evolved and substantially developed  during this period.  One of the best accounts of the civil services, both in terms of individuals and general governance is available in Philip Mason’s two volume  book The Men who Ruled India. The most famous of these Company officers is the famous quartet of Elphinstone, Metcalfe ,Munro and Malcolm. 

The civil service below these senior persons, who manned all the top posts, at the central level or the Presidency /Province and District level, were the non covenanted civil servants, mostly Indians,  who carried out ministerial or clerical and field-work and in a way helped in communicating the orders and directions in the local language.

Competition Wallahs

After the British Government directly took over the reigns of the Raj from Company by the Government of India Act of 1958,  much continued in the system of administration, but the pattern of recruitment to the top levels of Civil services changed. The system of selection through open competition on merit rather than patronage, championed by Lord Macaulay  was introduced not only for India but for other colonies also. The pattern of examination, subjects and standards for the exams (much favouring the study of Classics, Greek and Latin, and history) including the minimum age and qualifications were also laid down . Thus were formed the foundations of what was to be known as the Indian Civil Service (ICS) and the officers jocularly referred to as Competition Wallahs. These Competition Wallahas ran the Empire for about another hundred years . The second half of the 19th century is said to be the Golden Age of the ICS, where again the District emerged and remained the basic unit of Administration. 

Finally Indians in ICS

With the turn of the century much changed. Indians had already started getting selected in the ICS, appearing in the exam from London with Shri Satyendra Nath Tagore being the first Indian to be selected in the year 1863 . The exams also started being held in India  from 1922.  More and more Indians started getting selected and by 1939, ie before the outbreak of the Second world war the Percentage of Indians was almost 50%. The  Federal Public Service Commission was set up  as per recommendations of the Lee Commission for recruitment and the scheme of examination, papers etc were also modified.  The Services were divided into All India Services and Central Services. Recruitment to the Provincial Civil Services became a regular feature with opportunities to hold senior assignments. The system of recruitment to lower level posts and promotions also began to get more set with rules and regulations in place . 

The advent of Gandhi, the rise of nationalism,  the various Reforms Commissions  and passage of the Acts of 1909, 1919, the Jallianwala massacre, the demand for dominion status changed many things for the ICS . From almost rulers, they now had to work under Indian political leaders also, though in a limited way, and national issues were now dominant. This led to the growing centralisation of the decision making process and Governments at the Central level and Province level became more important. For the district officers it was no longer their full fledged Raj. In such a scenario there was a growing lack of interest amongst the Britishers to try for the ICS. 

The Indians who got selected to the ICS, were looked upon with both awe and admiration as well as a little doubt about  their full loyalties to the country, especially as it marched towards Independence . However soon any such doubts were put aside and those of the ICS who chose to serve the Indian Dominion, continued with full trust .  One of the good accounts  of the role played by Indian  officers of the ICS can be read in the book  The Civil Servant In India edited by KL Panjabi  (1965)  where many distinguished officers have shared their experiences. 

Vallabhbhai Patel and the rebooting of the Civil Services

At the time of Independence,  with strong support from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the All India Services, based on the pattern of the ICS and the IP ( Indian Police ), renamed the Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service, as also the Indian Forest Service,   were retained and made a part of the Constitution with adequate service safeguards. The Public Service Commision became the Union Public Service Commision and carried the responsibility for recruitment  interalia to the All India Services IAS, IPS and the IFS (Indian Forest Service)   and the higher levels of Central services  like Railways,  Customs, Income tax, Audit and Accounts, Defence Accounts, Posts and Telegraphs, Information and Broadcasting and others . 

The examination pattern of compulsory and optional subjects, different for different categories of services followed by an interview became the method of selection , with initially the upper age limit quite low and varying for services. Gradually changes were introduced as per requirements and the examination was opened to amongst others, Medical and Engineering students. Later what used to be called the IAS etc examination, came to be called the Civil Services Examination with the system of preliminaries also introduced. In the wake of Indira Sawhney judgement, reservations were also provided for non creamy layer candidates belonging to the OBCs which was earlier given only to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribes . 

A broad based service

The impact of these changes has been that the services have  become more broad based with intake from all sections of society . Further with the growth of education amongst women , their numbers have also  increased . This trend is seen in recruitment to the State Level Services  and in other levels also . Some of the States also provide for reservation of women within the reserved categories. 

Civil Services Day

From 2006, 21st April is celebrated as Civil Services Day to mark the first address of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel to the Administrative Service Officers in 1947 at Metcalfe House, Delhi which then housed the Training Academy. Every year a function is organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances  at the national level, while similar functions and activities are also organised at State level and below. it is an occasion for the civil servants to remediate themselves to the cause of service and renew their commitment to service and excellence . Awards for performance, innovations are also given on this annual day. 

Conclusion

As we talk and think  about Civil services  today, many broad and general issues and questions  inevitably  cross the mind. How responsive, diligent, and effective is their performance. Are they able to carry out the responsibilities and duties with honesty, integrity, and fairness as expected of them . What types of equations are there  with the Ministers and other public representatives, considering that in our democratic set up the  civil services work under the political executive, which is responsible to the legislature and the people's representatives. 

Much has been written and talked about these topics, including corruption, lack of sensitivity to citizens' matters and the problems faced by the civil servants themselves, including arbitrary transfer and postings, harassment , as also political interference in day to day work. Yet there are innumerable examples and illustrations of civil servants, performing their jobs with utmost sincerity, achieving results against all odds  and working day and night to fight disasters and emergencies. 

These days along with the Health and Medical services and under the guidance of the political representatives, the civil servants have pitched in with their  best of abilities and dedication to fight against Covid 19 Pandemic today . Therefore it is again  the time  for the Civil services, to truly dedicate and rededicate themselves to the cause of the country and work  in our context of democracy and rule of law, according to the enduring values  of honesty, integrity, grit and determination, fairness and uprightness, along with  above all concern and care for the people  with a human touch . 

Meenakshi Hooja 

IAS Retired 

Former Member Central Administrative Tribunal 

Jodhpur and Jaipur Bench 

11 Uniara Bagh , Jaipur 302004 

Tele 9413337959 

meenakshihooja1@gmail. Com