After a tiring day at work, recently I got an amazing chance to interact with V Radha, Joint MD, CIDCO. (Well, there are perks of working in Chanakya Mandal!) I had just heard about her so far. As the DC Aurangabad, she was instrumental in bringing realistic solution to its chronic water problem. She helped revive a 30 year old tank, without a penny from government, only through the efforts of villagers. Its so evident that she had to face the ire of Tanker lobby and associated politicians. Then as BMC deputy commissioner, she unearthed a huge scam. She reported that only 40% of the the octroi was being collected by BMC, rest lost due to corruption. She is serving as Joint MD at CIDCO, rightfully so, when it is preparing land acquisition for New Mumbai Airport. The amount of land and money involved is staggering. Having an upright officer there will ensure proper use of public resources.
While I was discussing with her, she candidly mentioned about her study and what happened in the first and then second attempt. (A respite for commoners!) The year she was selected, she had the highest marks in Interviews. She cordially asked me about my preparation as well.
The amazing thing I found, was her simplicity. In last 2 years, I have seen many people, whose ego shoots up 7 storeys high on getting selected. Despite the enormous media coverage, she seemed to be just another common man. Just look at the adjoining photo, where she stands rightmost. (I remember the great Malini Rajurkar, exceptional classical singer, known for such simplicity).
We talked about the upcoming project, how we can help her and lot more.
I asked her if I could share my frank observations with her, and she said "off course". The people of Navi Mumbai face a Resource Curse. The enormous money that they get from government due to land acquisition is often spent on luxuries, practically ruining any good chance of future. She was equally concerned about it. We discussed how we can get a success story out of PAP i.e. Project Affected Persons, to serve as example to others. If its possible, then choose the motivated students among them to get going first. Also focus on the girl students.
I saw an example in her worth writing and following.
She told me about the work experiences. How the service makes you rather Alien - that a DC should play in clubs and meet the elites only and so on. She is known to interact with common people directly to understand their problems and seek solutions. Its worth guessing, whether any other officer, sitting in AC office would have accomplished, what she did in Aurangabad by involving the community.
We discussed Swami Vivekananda, how he's an inspiration for her and me as well. She told me how she prayed to god even after coming from an atheist family. And i told her how i turned a little to god after 3 attempts, being a socialist-atheist despite coming from a religious family. We agreed that UPSC makes one turn to god. (Despite that being a whimsical exam. No Offence)
She was amazed looking at the Chanakya Mandal building, inaugerated by His Holiness Dalai Lama.
Lastly, i was dumbstruck by the question she asked.
"So Mandar. Apart from work, how much time do you give for self study?"
Still searching the answer...
The amazing thing I found, was her simplicity. In last 2 years, I have seen many people, whose ego shoots up 7 storeys high on getting selected. Despite the enormous media coverage, she seemed to be just another common man. Just look at the adjoining photo, where she stands rightmost. (I remember the great Malini Rajurkar, exceptional classical singer, known for such simplicity).
We talked about the upcoming project, how we can help her and lot more.
I asked her if I could share my frank observations with her, and she said "off course". The people of Navi Mumbai face a Resource Curse. The enormous money that they get from government due to land acquisition is often spent on luxuries, practically ruining any good chance of future. She was equally concerned about it. We discussed how we can get a success story out of PAP i.e. Project Affected Persons, to serve as example to others. If its possible, then choose the motivated students among them to get going first. Also focus on the girl students.
I saw an example in her worth writing and following.
She told me about the work experiences. How the service makes you rather Alien - that a DC should play in clubs and meet the elites only and so on. She is known to interact with common people directly to understand their problems and seek solutions. Its worth guessing, whether any other officer, sitting in AC office would have accomplished, what she did in Aurangabad by involving the community.
We discussed Swami Vivekananda, how he's an inspiration for her and me as well. She told me how she prayed to god even after coming from an atheist family. And i told her how i turned a little to god after 3 attempts, being a socialist-atheist despite coming from a religious family. We agreed that UPSC makes one turn to god. (Despite that being a whimsical exam. No Offence)
She was amazed looking at the Chanakya Mandal building, inaugerated by His Holiness Dalai Lama.
Lastly, i was dumbstruck by the question she asked.
"So Mandar. Apart from work, how much time do you give for self study?"
Still searching the answer...
