‘From Ouch to Oops’ by RamG Vallath
By J Vaidhinathan
Retd. Deputy Secretary, Govt. of India
Mr. J Vaidhinathan (JV) was born in a remote village near Sirkazhi in 1940. Grown up & studied in Tiruvarur, he served in TN govt and moved to Govt. of India service Delhi, in 1965 and settled down there itself. In the Ministry of Industry, he rose up to the level of Deputy secretary to GOI in the CSS cadre and retired in 2002. He had also worked as Additional Personal Secretary to a Cabinet Minister, a sensitive & diplomatic posting, for 5 years. Delhi University Graduate, also obtained one year “Post Graduate Diploma” in Journalism after retirement.
‘From Ouch to Oops’ by RamG Vallath
The Author RamG has penned this book spruced with humor (much-needed in our times), describing and touching every aspect of his biography. It is written in a very lucid, interesting and even with a pinch of Hitch-cock style suspense, inspiring to read non-stop, as far as possible in one go. Rightly commented by one reader – Dr. Velumani, Chairman, Thyrocare – which is printed on the back-page as follows:
“Engrossed so much reading the book at the airport, I missed a flight for the first time“…a true statement.
Manner of his description about his family, school & college days, love factors, tackling the wedding processes, family, his aspirations, successful jumps from one assignment to another – are wonderfully spelt out.
A positive outlook in boldly tackling the constant ticklish problems more as a challenge than finding an excuse is so commendable. Taking along with him all the generally ignored essential field-staff and winning their support in his frequent rise up the ladder of success with aplomb, are to be appreciated with an applause.
His well explained points with apt and brief synopsis (“I learned two things”) at the end of each Chapter…yes ..there are 21 chapters, in the 152 pages of the book, Bata-type priced at ₹ 199, published by Collins – are really laudable.
RamG has also highlighted elaborately on his pit-falls in his career without an iota of shyness – which many of the writers as a wont, would hide. Praise-worthy is the fact as to how he has consistently appreciated all those who had helped him during his dire needs due to unfortunate ill-health at a later stage.
But for my routine rearranging things as a way of keeping myself busy and in that process, (venturing to move the neglected, uncared and not-touched book-shelf in the first floor to an easily accessible corner in the much used drawing room), I would have missed the golden chance of reading this excellent book in my daughter’s house in Hyderabad. I suggest to all book-lovers and more so to the elite section of good readers, to get this book, go through without fail, and I am sure, that apart from lauding RamG the author, you may thank me, the JV, for recommending this book!
Albeit RamG is said to be on lecturing courses to the staff of corporates now, it leaves an inevitable curiosity and inquisitiveness in readers mind, as to how this caste-barrier broken, loved-wedded couple and their two children have taken shape after a decade now of his writing this book!
By J Vaidhinathan
Retd. Deputy Secretary, Govt. of India
Good one