Known DRDO Critic, Former Def Sec Goes Mellow From Comfy Gubernatorial Chair

The letter above, from Chattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt to DRDO chief VK Saraswat is a lovely illustration of how things change depending on the hat you wear. Governor Dutt was Defence Secretary to the Indian government from July 2005-2007, a time of deep turmoil and very harsh criticism of the DRDO, a campaign that he, as Defence Secretary, made no bones about supporting. A well-respected, straight-talking gentleman, Dutt — a decorated ex-Army officer — was one of the few bureaucrats who unequivocally supported demands for a revamp of the DRDO at the time when there severe opposition and lots of lobbying for a status quo. The P Rama Rao Committee, the bitter pill the DRDO was forced to (and is still being forced to) swallow was Dutt’s brainchild. After a stint as Deputy NSA, Dutt was appointed Governor of Chattisgarh in January this year.

19 thoughts on “Known DRDO Critic, Former Def Sec Goes Mellow From Comfy Gubernatorial Chair”

  1. as usual with india, words, words, words, words – but the actual result is very different to what these words say. administrative ineptitude.

  2. Sometimes the burocrats are correct and sometimes the scientists are correct.

    But only for 50% of the time the politicians are correct and for another 50% of the time they are right.

  3. Again, people congratulate DRDO when it is really a point to congratulate.

    I dont think 'Babu'.Dutt with his fine enjoyments in Raj Bhavan can forget his discipline and his attitude toward DRDO.

    A good high school master is always strict, no matter even when he is retired. But when occasion comes he will support and pat his students even after retirement.

  4. Just a personal request, can you please write standard English instead of short cuts and English used in chats ?

  5. Really Mt Shiv Aroor,

    As a Governor he is doing his job and hats off to him. There is no surprise here. But, what is surprising is you have made this to be an article of interest, now that is a shame!

  6. Really Mr.Aroor, wonderful….he said with respect to a specific project ..a project going well…

    A critic knows when to appreciate things that are done well….for that you need to appreciate the effort that needs to be put into things to make them work …

    If the only thing you ever do is criticize….no1 will ever listen to you…

  7. This DUTT guy is like the rest of those in babustan, they dont know what they are saying and have no track record. so what they say today doesnt connect with what they say tomorrow.. just like everything else they do.

    Maybe he didnt even write that letter, it was typed for him and he just signed it blindly.

    I'm glad this blog is not moderated the same way the RATSHAK website is.THANKYOU SHIVJI FOR THIS OPEN CONVERSATION. Look:

    http://forums.bharat-rakshak.com/viewtopic.php?p=923440#p923440

    They warn/ban you for every silly little thing. They call themselves a think-tank!

  8. very good keep it up

    i want to see a pole about
    "Do you want Ordnance Factory Board to Participate in FICV competition"

  9. I find this very offensive to ridicule or to make such sarcastic remarks without knowing the role a highly distinguished officer is playing. He is a governor for heaven sake! It is shame that this blog is giving a platform to ridicule every government office. Have some respect Mr Shiv Aroor! And please remove this, it is not very funny to ridicule a governor's chair nor a distinguished person. Too many people of some tall achievements, from some freedom fighters to some distinguished people have sat in that chair for someone to ridicule that way you have. Somehow I feel you should look at the brighter side of DRDO too.

  10. what so cozy about this?? if there is something good is it not appropriate to praise it?/

    nothing dramatic about this as you imply

  11. nothing cozy or discordant. and nobody's questioning the good work done by DRDO. in fact, it's an illustration of how things have changed. that's precisely what this is about. those getting into a twist, chill.

  12. @ aroor….u appreciating the good work done in the missile defence system…or u criticizing the guv for appreciating them….

    i suspect the latter….panders more to popular sentiment 🙂

  13. @bharath

    Its morons like you that are polluting our country. So what if he is the governor? so what if he is even the freaking PM? Its this attitude indians have that is destroying everything we can achieve. in the west, not even the PM or the president is untouchable. the news, people and everything is allowed to and does critic him/her.

    in india, when you become someone on the top, you become untouchable, not even by the judges.

    call a spade a spade, if hes contradicting himself and its pointed out, what the hell are you getting your knickers in a twist for? go back to your RATshak hole

  14. Agreed Aroor, if that is the case. But here, the letter further adds, "I must say that earlier also DRDO has been consistently taking the country in a glorious path by successfully executing some very difficult projects.

    You say, Dutt, is a very straight man. You describe his as a harsh critic and brain child of Rama Rao committee. If what you say is correct, why he has to mention, DRDO is consistent in taking the country to glorious path earlier also. So it is not that he changed his position after becoming the Governor. It doesnt gells well with your observation, isn't it?

  15. Agreed Aroor, if that is the case. But here, the letter further adds, "I must say that earlier also DRDO has been consistently taking the country in a glorious path by successfully executing some very difficult projects.

    You say, Dutt, is a very straight man. You describe his as a harsh critic and brain child of Rama Rao committee. If what you say is correct, why he has to mention, DRDO is consistent in taking the country to glorious path earlier also. So it is not that he changed his position after becoming the Governor. It doesnt gells well with your observation, isn't it?

  16. @Bharath

    I second what you say. A governor cannot react in a way he would have as a Defense Secretary. As a governor, his capacity restricts him to say, 'hey you are doing bad'. For that matter, any chief minister cannot say, DRDO is doing bad. Some morons here are all up in arms against this guy. First of all, bringing such trial issues here is a big joke.

  17. Aroor,

    It is the same anon@8:13pm here.

    If you could know the meaning of the word 'consistent' there is no need for you to bellow the meaning of 'mellow' to anyone.

    I agree with Barath. Not becoz Dutt is a governor but you insulted his conscience to the extent that to say that he become delusional due to age and what he currently saying has no meaning. Otherwise i don't see being an upright man how he will change his views within 2 – 3 years. Either your views are wrong or you are insulting Dutt's opinion.

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