Not Just an Accountant cover art

Not Just an Accountant

The Diary of the Nation's Conscience Keeper

Preview
Free with 30-day trial
Prime logo New to Audible Prime Member exclusive:
2 credits with free trial
1 credit a month to use on any title to download and keep
Listen to anything from the Plus Catalogue—thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts and audiobooks
Download titles to your library and listen offline
₹199 per month after 30-day trial. Cancel anytime.

Not Just an Accountant

Written by: Vinod Rai
Narrated by: Manish Dongardive
Free with 30-day trial

₹199 per month after trial ends. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for ₹667.71

Buy Now for ₹667.71

Not Just an Accountant is an incisive, no-holds-barred account of India's 11th comptroller and auditor general and a symbol of the anti-corruption movement, Vinod Rai.

Through a narrative rich in anecdote and inside information, Rai sheds light on the major scams that shook the country. Among the case studies - chosen for the diversity of failures they highlight - are the procedural irregularities in the issuance of licenses for second generation spectrum allotment, the last minute quick-fixes in the conduct of the XIX commonwealth games, the loss of national resources while allocating coal blocks, the flouting of systems and the clear display of crony capitalism in the exploration of hydrocarbon and the tragic tale of civil aviation in India.

Through these illustrations, Rai wishes to not only expose government malfeasance, but also probe the mandate of the CAG as a watchdog. Equally, he hopes to push for long-term solutions to corruption and bring home the urgent need for ethics - for the pursuit of excellence, accountability, probity and transparency within governments, the bureaucracy, corporate enterprises and public life.

Includes the following:

  • Presents a blow-by-blow, explosive, yet thoughtful account that sheds new light on the scams that shook India: 2G, coalgate, civil aviation, the conduct of the XIX commonwealth games and hydrocarbon contracts.
  • Explodes the myth of accountability in contemporary Indian governance.
  • Presents long-term solutions for the future, so as to contain procedural irregularities within the government and corporate enterprises.
  • Provides a roadmap for good governance, important for the growth of the nation.Exhorts younger professionals / administrators to strive for excellence.

©2014 Vinod Rai (P)2017 Audible, Inc.
Political Science Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Social Sciences
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most relevant
delighted to read the cag inside story. however would have loved to have more details on how the losses were actually arrived at in the first place.

great insight into the world of CAG and their functions

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

you will get an answer why India is like this since 75 years of independence.. you will get to know where our money is going and who is eating it..

For the conscience of the nation

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The ex Top Regulator gives insights from his lifetime of experience working with the Indian Government over its various failures in various schemes and developments plans launched by them, and how for the sake of the spirit of democracy organisations such as the CAG and the Judiciary are mission critical.

A Bird’s eye view of Indian Bureaucracy’s failure

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Not Just an Accountant: The Diary of the Nation's Conscience Keeper by Vinod Rai offers a compelling, first-hand look into the high-stakes world of public auditing, though it occasionally struggles with its own structural identity.

### Defending the CAG's Integrity
One of the strongest elements of the book is Rai’s directness in dismantling outside agendas. He clearly calls out the media narratives that were pushed against the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Specifically, he vindicates the institution by addressing malicious rumors regarding Padma awards and clarifies the initial incidents and suggestions surrounding the Commonwealth Games (CWG) controversy.


### Narrative Imbalances and Audience Confusion
The book is not without its flaws, primarily stemming from an apparent confusion over who the target audience is. Rai over-indulges in technical details that would have been far better suited for an appendix. This granular data creates an awkward middle ground; it lacks the exhaustive depth required for a definitive textbook on how the CAG operates, yet it contains far more dense information than necessary for a casual reader simply looking for the author's side of the story. Furthermore, the final chapters veer into an unnecessary, preachy defense of why the nation needs an auditor. Given that the importance of the CAG is already widely universally known, this elaborate sermon feels redundant.


### A Commendable Account of Courage
Nevertheless, the memoir remains a highly valuable read. Rai deserves immense gratitude for his public service and his unwavering courage in exposing massive systemic corruption. His ability to stand firm and refuse to succumb to intense political pressure under immense public scrutiny and criticism makes this book an inspiring testament to institutional integrity.

Audience targeting could have been better

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The narrative lacks substance and wasn’t inspiring. Not sure if Vinod rai achieved anything in his career sounds like he is just another accountant

There isn’t much

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.