The TIME Magzine has been at the center of controversy ever since it labeled PM Modi as ‘Divider in Chief’. The TIME Magzine obviously got it wrong. It surely had its own reasons for placing such bizarre allegations against the Prime Minister or India. However, this is not for the first time that the TIME Magzine has been at the centre of a controversy when it comes to its coverage of India. The life of Gautam Goswami, a former Bihar IAS officer had come in limelight in 2004 when he was named as one of the TIME Asian Heroes for that year.
Gautam Goswami had also shot to fame because of a famous incident when the former Patna DM had literally put his hand on the microphone to prevent the then Union Home Minister, L K Advani from continuing an election rally in 2004. He told the then Union Home Minister that his time was up referring to the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct which prevented use of public address system beyond 10 PM. The 1991-batch officer, however, went on to be an accused in the flood-relief scam.
Gautam Goswami who was an MBBS and MD by education, went on to quit IAS and join a private firm even before his resignation had been accepted. His name figured in an FIR concerning the embezzlement in Rs. 18 crore meant for flood-relief in the state in 2004. Troubles mounted for the former bureaucrat after he was suspended by the State government. He evaded arrest for months and finally surrendered before a Patna Court. The former Patna DM Gautam Goswami was jailed for a year before he was enlarged on bail. However, Goswami’s troubles didn’t end here. In early 2008, he was diagnosed to be suffering from cancer. The state government canceled his suspension on humanitarian grounds.
The 1991-batch IAS officer passed away in early 2009. The officer’s career did not witness a glorious end. It was in sharp contrast to what the TIME magazine had written about him. The Magzine had stated that Goswami’s reputation for upholding the law improved the image of a civil service which was perceived by many as corrupt or inefficient. Gautam Goswami who was described as a Hero by the TIME passed away as a tainted officer.
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