3 Review(s)

Not Just an Accountant: The Diary of the Nation’s Conscience Keeper is the autobiography of India’s eleventh comptroller and auditor general and the man who is regarded as the symbol of the anti-corruption movement, Vinod Rai. Summary of the Book This autobiography offers a rich-in-anecdote narrative and inside information as Rai talks about the major scams that shocked the entire nation. It discusses the procedural inconsistencies in the issuance of licenses for second generation spectrum allotment, the last-minute quick-fixes in the conduct of the XIX commonwealth games, the loss of national resources during the allocation of coal blocks, the violation of systems and the clear display of familiar capitalism in the exploration of hydrocarbon and the sad story of civil aviation in India. Rai not only exposes government’s failures and controversies, but also delves into the mandate of the CAG as an ardent watchdog. Also, he focusses on long-term solutions to corruption in the country. He talks about the urgent need for ethics - the pursuit of excellence, accountability, probity and transparency within the governments, the bureaucracy, corporate enterprises, and even public life. About Vinod Rai Vinod Rai has served as the comptroller and auditor general of India. He has been revered for bringing about a paradigm change in the areas. The systems and qualitative upgrades that he introduced have been highly commended and endorsed within the country and globally, bringing worldwide compliment to the institution of the CAG of India. Rai also has vast experiences in the civil services and has served more than three decades in different capacities at the regional and federal level. He has also left an enduring mark on the financial sector of the nation. Rai currently lives in New Delhi.