Strong man with feet of clay

Thirunellai Narayana Seshan's posthumously published autobiography reflects on his impactful career, enduring reforms, and reminds us that even strong leaders are fallible

Through the Broken Glass – An Autobiography

Author: T N Seshan

Publisher: Rupa

Pages: 357+Viii

Price: Rs 795

In his autobiography, Thirunellai Narayana Seshan (or T N Seshan as India’s intrepid Chief Election Commissioner, or CEC, came to be better known) is candid in admitting that many would call him an Alsatian behind his back. This reviewer was witness to an incident that will perhaps explain why Seshan had acquired that uncomplimentary label as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. 

In the late 1980s, as Cabinet Secretary in the Rajiv Gandhi government, Seshan would hold a monthly media briefing on the weekend, where secretaries