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D Subbarao Asks "Just A Mercenary?" in Candid New Book on Career & Duty

Former RBI Governor D Subbarao has launched a reflective book titled 'Just A Mercenary?', questioning whether his career was driven by duty or a larger purpose. He shared that the title is an open question for both himself and readers to ponder. The book chronicles his journey from a modest background to the top of India's civil service and central bank. Described as warm and earnest, it aims to inform and inspire young professionals.

Key Points: Ex-RBI Chief D Subbarao Launches Book 'Just A Mercenary?'

  • Reflects on career motivations
  • Questions duty vs. larger calling
  • Title poses open question
  • Chronicles rise from modest roots
  • Book aims to inspire professionals
3 min read

"This country has given me a lot": Former RBI Governor D Subbarao shares insights from his book 'Just A Mercenary?'

Former RBI Governor D Subbarao reflects on his career and sense of duty in his new book 'Just A Mercenary?', questioning his motivations.

"The question that always ran in my mind was whether I'm doing this... because I was motivated by a larger calling. - D Subbarao"

Hyderabad, April 17

The former Reserve Bank of India Governor Duvvuri Subbarao opened up about his recently launched book 'Just A Mercenary?', calling his work a reflection of his life and career. He also shared the reason behind the book's title.

While talking to ANI, D Subbarao reflected on his life and career to acknowledge the opportunities he recieved from India. However, he also admitted that during his career his mind was always lingered with a question "whether I'm doing this to the best of my ability because I'm being paid out of a sense of duty or because I was motivated by a larger calling."

"When I look back on my career and my life, I realise that this country has given me a lot. Whatever job I had, I tried to do it to the best of my ability with complete motivation. But the question that always ran in my mind was whether I'm doing this to the best of my ability because I'm being paid out of a sense of duty or because I was motivated by a larger calling," said D Subbarao.

By choosing the title "Just a Mercenary?", the former RBI governor intends to leave an open question for himself and the readers to decide whether his actions were purely "mercenary" or guided by a larger calling.

"The reason I chose this title, Just a Mercenary, is to pose this question to myself and also for the readers to decide whether I was just being a mercenary or whether I was being motivated by a larger cause," added former RBI Governor D Subbarao.

According to the website of the book publishing company Penguin India, 'Just A Mercenary' recounts the journey of D Subbarao from a "small-town boy from a modest background to the top echelons of the Indian Civil Services and RBI."

"The remarkable journey of a small-town boy from a modest background to the top echelons of India's civil service and then on to the helm of the country's central bank. Subbarao recounts that journey--his hopes and despair, his successes and setbacks, his mistakes and misdeeds, and the lessons he learnt along the way--with rare candour and honesty. The subtext of that story though, is his constant soul searching about whether he has given back to society more than he received," read the description of the book.

It added, "Just a Mercenary? is a warm, engaging and earnest account of an extraordinary career that is bound to inform and inspire young professionals trying to find their way up their career ladders and discover meaning in their journeys."

According to Penguin India's author description, Duvvuri Subbarao served as governor of the Reserve Bank of India for five years (2008-13). Prior to that, he was finance secretary to the Government of India (2007-08) and secretary to the prime minister's Economic Advisory Council (2005-07).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
His tenure as RBI Governor saw us through the 2008 global crisis. To question his own motivations now shows great humility. It's rare to see such candour. Will definitely pick up the book. More retired officials should share their learnings like this.
R
Rohit P
Respect for acknowledging the country gave him a lot. Many forget that after reaching the top. But honestly, the timing of this book feels a bit... calculated? After all, he's been out of the spotlight for a while. Still, the core message is important.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in the corporate sector here in Mumbai, this question hits home. Are we just working for the paycheck or is there a larger purpose? His journey from a modest background is the classic Indian dream. Makes me want to reflect on my own career path.
K
Karthik V
True service is when you do your duty without expecting anything in return, but also without forgetting where you came from. Subbarao sir seems to have lived that. His story gives hope to countless middle-class parents who dream of their children reaching such heights through education and hard work.
M
Michael C
Interesting philosophical take from an economist! The mercenary vs. calling debate is universal, but it has special resonance in India's complex bureaucracy. Wondering if the book delves into specific policy decisions during his time.

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