Small Cogs in a Large Wheel: A Memoir by IAS Officer Naresh Nandan Prasad launched by Westland Books

14 October 2023, National; Westland Books released the memoir of IAS officer Naresh Nandan Prasad yesterday. Prasad’s professional career spanned almost forty-five years, during which he also served as member of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Small Cogs in a Large Wheel is a candid account of his life as a civil servant and it is bound to inspire anyone who aspires to be a civil servant. Published by Westland, the book is available in bookstores and online stores.

In his book, Naresh Prasad recounts memories from his old days at LBSNAA to his long career as an IAS officer in different states of India and the journey ahead at UNIDO and WIPO. While offering deep insights into a civil servant’s life in India, Prasad also brings in the humour, sharing several hilarious incidents and his fond memories of the time he spent with colleagues and friends. Prasad’s story and outlook on life are a testament to a way of life that involves working hard and yet staying humble at one’s roots while bringing positive change in the world.

On the occasion of the posthumous release of her father’s book, Urvashi Prasad, Director, NITI Aayog, said, “My father was unmatched in every role he played in his life. This book is primarily about his professional journey as an Indian Administrative Service Officer and an international civil servant. But what shines through every chapter are the personal values and traits that made him a truly exceptional human being.”

Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, said, “I had the pleasure of working very closely with Naresh for many years. This book to my mind is not merely a narrative of his career but is a reflection of the role of a civil servant in India and the sacrifices that it takes to put service before self.”

Anil Swarup, former Secretary, School Education (2016–18) and Coal (2014–16), Government of India, said, “An outsider cannot understand the difficulties one has to face as a civil servant and the book beautifully illustrates how to deal with these difficulties.’ Commending Naresh Prasad’s hardworking personality and walking his talk, Swarup quoted, ‘Dikahayi kam diya kartein hain duniya ke paththar, zameen mein dab gaye toh imaarat ban gaye (Stones that build the foundation of a building are often not visible).”