Nov 27, 2024
Nov 27, 2024
The late Dr. V. Ramalingaswami was special advisor to the Executive Director of UNICEF and authored the path-breaking study highlighting the damage to children from lack of iodine in their diet. This is his reaction to UN bureaucracy: O Lord, Grant that this day we come to no decision, Here is another prayer he authored as head of a division in the UN system: O Thou who seest all things below,
UN Employee Prayer
Neither run into any kind of responsibility.
But that all our doings may be ordered to establish
New and quite unwarranted posts
For ever and for ever.
Grant that Thy servants may go slow,
That they may study to comply
With regulations till they die.
Teach us, O Lord, to reverence
Committees more than common sense,
Impress our minds to make a plan
To pass the baby when we can
And when the temper seems to give
Us feelings of initiative,
Or when alone we go too far
Chastise us with a circular.
Mid war and tumult, fire and storms
Oh, strengthen us, we pray, with forms.
Thus will Thy servants ever be
A flock of perfect sheep for Thee.
09-Jun-2002
More by : Dr. Pradip Bhattacharya
As I recall, this appeared in the 'Times' some years ago together with a Benediction: "The peace of Whitehall, which passeth all understanding, preserve your mind in lethargy, your body in inertia and your soul in coma, now and for evermore, Amen." As a former civil servant for 24 years I fully concur! J Whitehead Caldicot Monmouthshire Wales UK |