This refers to A K Bhattacharya’s column “North Block’s talent hunt” (Raisina Hill, January 17). The finance ministry’s internship programme to get young scholars to work with its experienced and senior officers can have a positive impact. However, we cannot rule out the possibility of ego clashes between interns and ministry officials. Young interns are usually full of ideas and may want to give their own inputs or comments on the workings of the ministry. However, officers who have practical knowledge and consider themselves veterans of the field, may not always be open to accepting new ideas especially when they are coming from younger, less experienced interns. So if we want to make this programme a success, it is important to facilitate a healthy “exchange” of ideas and opinions. This can happen in due course of time through continued interactions. Thus, the programme’s time period should be extended to five to six months from two months. Once ministry officials spend enough time with interns, they will warm to their suggestions and proposals and may even implement a few good ones.
Sagar Paghadar Rajkot
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