NEW DELHI, 24th November 2023: A special literary evening was organised by the Delhi Administration Officers’ Academic Forum, Social Buzz and Prabhat Prakashan to launch ‘No Dream is Too Big: Memoirs of a Civil Servant’, a book written by Dr. G. G. Saxena, IAS (retd.) today at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. The launch was attended by eminent personalities including Dr. S. Y. Quraishi Ex-CEC, Lt. General Bhopinder Singh, Mr. P. K. Tripathi, Mr. Navin Berry, with Dr. K Mahesh as moderator along with special guest Amitabh Kant.
Amitabh Kant, G-20 Sherpa, stated, “Tourism is the biggest job creator where every direct job creates five indirect jobs due to the multiplier effect. This book will inspire budding bureaucrats and aspiring civil servants to understand the qualities required by a civil servant. Dr Saxena has always created user-friendly manuals in whichever department he worked and this book may be a good reference book for UPSC civil service exams.”
“Dr. Saxena is one of the finest officers that the Delhi Administration has produced. He is the man who lives, eats, and breathes tourism,” he added while reviewing the book.
Speaking on how tourism is helping the country despite having a considerably low proportion in GDP, Mr. Navin Berry, Editor of ‘Destination India’ and author, said, “Latest events such as the world cup has shown a positive impact on tourism to the country however we need a fresh contribution in terms of the statistical survey.”
Mentioning Dr. Saxena’s efforts in various fields, Dr. Quraishi, added, “Dr. Saxena’s efforts helped in creating new ‘DD Bharati Channel’ and increase of in-house production of DD programs from 6 per cent to 23 per cent without any increase in the existing workforce of DD shows his grit and compassion.
The same has been captured well in the book.” Adding on his work in the Andamans, he commented, “Andamans are the shining post of India and there are many attractions for the domestic tourists matching what other countries offer.”
While talking about the concept of a team, Mr. P. K. Tripathi, Former Chief Secretary of Delhi, said, “Dr. Saxena has given due credit to his team in the successful completion of the tasks. He believed in stakeholders’ discussion in framing the policies which makes the policies more transparent and acceptable.”
Upon being asked about tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lt. General Bhopinder Singh, Ex-LG Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry, said, “Dr. Saxena was always ready to undertake any task and completed it with passion. After the tsunami relief, tourism was my target and Dr. Saxena proved to be an asset throughout. I wish him success on his book.”
‘No Dream is Too Big: Memoirs of a Civil Servant’ is an enthralling memoir authored by Dr. Saxena. This book offers an intimate glimpse into Dr. Saxena’s significant career, replete with challenges, successes, and innovative endeavours. What makes this memoir truly unique is the inclusion of special messages and a foreword from influential bureaucrats who not only worked alongside Dr. Saxena but stood by him as mentors.
