Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
When doing your job becomes heroic, what does that say about the system?
In this episode of Express Opinion, Sayoni Aiyar looks at corporate advisor and author Srinath Sridharan’s column on Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s crackdown on unhygienic food establishments.
Mundhe’s high-profile inspections and enforcement action have won public praise. But Sridharan asks a more uncomfortable question: Why are we celebrating civil servants simply for doing the jobs they are legally required to do?
His argument goes beyond food safety. He examines how India has normalised low expectations from public institutions, how selective enforcement can raise the “management fee” of corruption without dismantling political patronage, and why the popular ‘Singham’ officer archetype can distract us from the need for strong, independent institutions.
The larger question is simple: When basic enforcement feels extraordinary, are things finally improving — or have we simply come to expect too little from the state?
Read Srinath Sridharan’s full opinion piece in The Indian Express and tell us where you stand. indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/tukaram-mundhe-why-celebrate-civil-servants-doing-their-jobs-10854365
Do we need more heroic officers — or institutions that make heroes unnecessary?
Subscribe to The Indian Express for more opinion, analysis and ideas that deserve a larger public conversation.
#ExpressOpinion #TukaramMundhe #IndianExpress #Governance #India #CivilServices #Singham #FoodSafety #Bureaucracy #Corruption
The Indian Express brings you comprehensive coverage of global & indian politics, election news, business news, world affairs, sports, entertainment, Bollywood, and public policy.
Go beyond the headlines with exclusive interviews, explainers, ground reports, editorials, opinion, and expert analysis that help you understand the stories shaping India and the world. With accurate, fact-based reporting backed by over 90 years of credible journalism, The Indian Express brings context and clarity to the issues that matter.
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When doing your job becomes heroic, what does that say about the system?
In this episode of Express Opinion, Sayoni Aiyar looks at corporate advisor and author Srinath Sridharan’s column on Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s crackdown on unhygienic food establishments.
Mundhe’s high-profile inspections and enforcement action have won public praise. But Sridharan asks a more uncomfortable question: Why are we celebrating civil servants simply for doing the jobs they are legally required to do?
His argument goes beyond food safety. He examines how India has normalised low expectations from public institutions, how selective enforcement can raise the “management fee” of corruption without dismantling political patronage, and why the popular ‘Singham’ officer archetype can distract us from the need for strong, independent institutions.
The larger question is simple: When basic enforcement feels extraordinary, are things finally improving — or have we simply come to expect too little from the state?
Read Srinath Sridharan’s full opinion piece in The Indian Express and tell us where you stand. indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/tukaram-mundhe-why-celebrate-civil-servants-doing-their-jobs-10854365
Do we need more heroic officers — or institutions that make heroes unnecessary?
Subscribe to The Indian Express for more opinion, analysis and ideas that deserve a larger public conversation.
#ExpressOpinion #TukaramMundhe #IndianExpress #Governance #India #CivilServices #Singham #FoodSafety #Bureaucracy #Corruption
The Indian Express brings you comprehensive coverage of global & indian politics, election news, business news, world affairs, sports, entertainment, Bollywood, and public policy.
Go beyond the headlines with exclusive interviews, explainers, ground reports, editorials, opinion, and expert analysis that help you understand the stories shaping India and the world. With accurate, fact-based reporting backed by over 90 years of credible journalism, The Indian Express brings context and clarity to the issues that matter.
Subscribe to The Indian Express for in-depth news, India news, live updates, business news, political analysis, world news, and insightful conversations that keep you connected with the stories shaping our times.
You can search us on YouTube by: @indianexpress, indian express, indian express newspaper today,indian express newspaper,indian express editorial analysis,indian express analysis,indian express analysis today,indian express,indian express news,the indian express newspaper analysis,the indian express,the indian express newspaper analysis today,the indian express editorial analysis,the indian express newspaper.
Stay Tuned To Indian Express For More Updates: indianexpress.com
Watch Out Our Top Shows:
🡆 Express Investigation - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrDg7LoYgk9xED9iRQoNTlu7kOSJlWG0n
🡆 Idea Exchange - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrDg7LoYgk9ynl0AV6aFFIvCU-y7sHsbr
🡆 POV - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrDg7LoYgk9w_PqY2r5T4cQn9B3RNQoU_
🡆 Indian Express Explained - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrDg7LoYgk9y8Wm50M57nutw5usWUkb-k
🡆 Express Adda- youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrDg7LoYgk9x48oRvznNl5PYGQ3yg1Lwz
🡆 News Analysis By Neeta Sharma- youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrDg7LoYgk9z6xD8CJ1WuXVyAM9DrQKpu
🡆 UPSC Essentials- youtube.com/watch?v=TuhtH8j4stw&list=PLrDg7LoYgk9wBTnLuSQmbj1_6U1K6IOYI
#LatestNews #BreakingNews #EnglishNews
Subscribe to our Channel:
The Indian Express: goo.gl/RjJrX0
Connect with us:
Facebook: facebook.com/indianexpress
Twitter: twitter.com/indianexpress
Indian Express App: indianexpress.com/apps
Official Website: indianexpress.com
