M.S. Ashokan - Karmayogi: A Biography of E. Sreedharan

Sreedharan has become a synonym for the magnificence of human endeavour that makes the impossible possible. There has not been any parallel, in the last six decades, to his contribution as a technocrat who modernized and expanded the countrys transportation systems to match global standards. What stands out about this genius, who hails from Karukaputhur, an obscure, remote village in the district of Palakkad in Kerala, is not just the sheer volume and reach of the development projects he undertook, but also how in mission after mission, he reaffirmed the time-tested values from ancient wisdom that he has always cherished, functioning with purpose and transparency even while keeping corruption at bay, with an effort akin to prayer.

The nation took note of Sreedharan, the trailblazer, when he led the epic mission of building the Konkan Railway on a tight schedule to link the northern end of Keralathe southernmost state of Indiato the financial city of Mumbai. Known as one of the greatest engineering feats of modern times, the Konkan line ran along the west coast of India, negotiating the difficult terrain that lay between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. That a railway line boosts a regions industrial and economic prospects had long been realized, and plans for such a line had been in the making since the time of the British Raj. However, all attempts to implement them came to naught, what with the Konkans forbidding terrain making it a terribly impractical prospectthat is, until Sreedharan took charge.

Sreedharan had long retired from the Indian Railways when parleys for the countrys first modern metro in Delhi began and his name was suggested for heading the project. There were legal barriers to appointing a retiree in the top position at a public enterprise. However, no argument or obstruction could thwart Sreedharans progress along his path of action for very long. The Sreedharan Effect extended beyond the Delhi Metro; following its success twenty more big cities in India embarked on plans for metros of their own.

The new transportation system that would come with an incredibly steep price tag, one which the country could hardly afford, drew prolonged and intense criticism. But in the end, the success of the metro in Delhi, which flaunted the most advanced technology from around the world, made for a fitting reply to all the naysayers. The benefits the metro broughtsuch as significant reduction in pollution, decline in road accidents, improved infrastructure that accelerated development activities, and change in the quality of life of the general publicblunted much of the criticism. What was more, efforts had begun to expand public transportation projects by inviting private participation. But Sreedharan openly rejected this idea. He contended that ownership and operation by the government was the only reason for the success of projects of the metro kind, proving beneficial to the people while remaining growth-oriented.

Sreedharan does not possess the halo of the IIT graduate or a Civil Services luminary considered among the holy cows of India. Armed with only a regular degree in civil engineering, Sreedharans success lay in his unflinching commitment to his core values in both his personal and professional lives. This commitment took him on an incredible ascent to the pinnacle of achievement in his field. His philosophy of committed and ethical work would stand taller than the gargantuan projects delivered under his groundbreaking engineering and management brilliance. The Bhagavad Gita had always been his inspiration. Havingas he describes itimbibed the supreme power of motivation from the book that cracks open the path of action for the seeker, Sreedharan would always share the Gitas message with his colleagues.

This book is an attempt to get up and close to the man and his life that have inspired many, including the younger generations. He has magnanimously given his precious time to the author despite his singularly hectic professional life, graciously ironed out factual kinks, adding relevant clarity from start to finish. Here is hoping this modest tribute will help readers get a closer glimpse of the genius the nation has come to love, admire and even revere in their hearts and minds.