Speaking on the occasion, the President said civil servants have made important contributions to nation building. He said recording of the past is important as it throws light on many issues that society has to grapple from time to time. He complimented Shri Dutt for putting pen to paper to record the past and his thoughts on important issues. He said that the book would make interesting reading and would be useful in formulating policies and help in decision making.
About the Author:
His Excellency Mr. Shekhar Dutt assumed the office of the Governor of Chhattisgarh on 23rd January 2010. Mr. Shekhar Dutt assumed charge of Deputy National Security Adviser on 1st August 2007 after relinquishing the charge of the defence secretary. He was Defence Secretary from 1st August 2005. An IAS officer of the 1969 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre, Mr. Dutt is a recipient of Sena Medal for gallantry in 1971 Indo-Pak war. During his tenure as Defence Secretary, a number of initiatives were taken towards increasing the pace of modernization as well as bringing about greater probity.
Prior to assuming the charge of Defence Secretary, Mr. Dutt was secretary Deptt. Of Defence Production. Mr. Dutt has earlier also worked in the Ministry of Defence as Joint Secretary during 1991-1996. During this period he was Director in the Boards of Public Sector Undertakings such as Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bharat Dynamics Ltd., Bharat Earth Movers Ltd., Mazagaon Docks Ltd., Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. and Goa Shipyard Ltd. Earlier in the mid 1980s he was Director (Navy) in the Ministry of Defence.
Before taking over the charge as secretary (Defence Production) he was Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Government of India in 2003.
Mr. Dutt has held several key posts, which include Director General, Sports Authority of India (2001-2003) and Principal Secretary, Department of Tribal and Scheduled Caste Welfare and Principal Secretary, Departments of School Education, Sports & Youth Welfare, Govt. of M.P. (1996-2001). During his tenure as Director General of Sports Authority of India 2001-2003, Mr. Dutt played a pivotal role in the successful conduct of the first Afro Asian Games. During this period India won their highest ever tally of medals (69 nos.) in Commonwealth Games 2002. Mr. Dutt was Divisional Commissioner of Raipur Revenue Division in 1985-89.