In a year marked by its fair share of challenges and triumphs, 2024 has also showcased an extraordinary facet of India’s bureaucratic class: their ability to seamlessly blend governance with the pursuit of artistic passions. While their desks are often laden with files and decisions that shape the nation, these civil servants are also carving out spaces for creativity and self-expression, proving that duty and passion can coexist harmoniously.
Take, for instance, IRS officer Naina Soin Kapil, whose poetry captures the nuanced emotions of modern life, or IRS Rachna Chhokar, whose vibrant paintings breathe life into her artistic soul. Meanwhile, IRS Shaurya Shashwat Shukla’s wildlife photography offers a glimpse into India’s untamed beauty, rivalling the work of seasoned professionals. Beyond the world of art, some bureaucrats are literary icons, classical dancers, filmmakers, and musicians, making significant contributions to cultural heritage.
These remarkable individuals exemplify a new-age bureaucrat—one who not only excels in public service but also enriches society through the arts. Their stories inspire a nation to embrace the power of creativity, even amidst the rigor of responsibility, as they gracefully walk the line between governance and passion.
A POET IN THE BUREAUCRAT’S SKIN: IRS NAINA SOIN KAPIL
IRS Officer Naina Soin Kapil exemplifies the harmony between professional excellence and creative passion. As a Commissioner of Income Tax at the Dispute Resolution Panel, her career reflects commitment and expertise in public administration. Yet, beyond the world of tax policies, Naina is a poet whose verses delve into themes of love, loss, struggle, and hope, offering a deeply personal glimpse into her life.
A 1999 batch IRS officer, Naina captivates audiences at literary events with her evocative poetry and nuanced voice. She believes poetry provides an unfiltered platform to express her truth, while her experiences in public service enrich her creative perspective. For Naina, balancing these roles is a proofof finding harmony between duty and passion. Her journey inspires aspiring poets and bureaucrats alike, proving that one can pursue dreams while contributing meaningfully to society.
Watch her exclusive video interview here-
A Poet in the Bureaucrat’s Skin: IRS Naina Soin Kapil
RACHNA CHHOKAR: BRIDGING BUREAUCRACY AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
IRS Officer Rachna Chhokar, a 2015 batch officer, has masterfully balanced her career in public service with her passion for art. A self-taught artist, she rediscovered her love for sketching and painting during the COVID-19 lockdown, venturing into traditional Indian art forms like Madhubani and Warli, alongside her signature medium—white paint on black sheets.
For Rachna, art serves as a bridge between emotions and expression, offering a profound outlet for storytelling and introspection. Her works explore themes like Bhaktism and Sufism, blending personal and universal aspects of devotion. Despite the demands of her professional life, she finds harmony between the structured logic of her IRS role and the soulful spontaneity of her art.
Rachna is set to host her first exhibition, showcasing her charcoal sketches, traditional art, and evocative white-on-black paintings, proving that creativity can thrive alongside a demanding career.
Read her exclusive story here-
Rachna Chhokar: Bridging Emotions and Expressions Through Art
SHAURYA SHUKLA: BALANCING TAX CODES AND NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Shaurya Shashwat Shukla, an IRS officer from the 2007 batch, balances his role in tax administration with a profound passion for nature photography. Serving as Additional Commissioner in Lucknow, his journey into photography began in 2007 but became serious in 2014. For Shaurya, photography is a medium to capture the beauty of nature, from everyday moments to rare events, such as a hunt by Asiatic wild dogs, which earned him the Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photography Award in 2016.
His work aims to connect people to nature and raise awareness about conservation. Photography, for Shaurya, bridges the gap between the natural world and human responsibility. In addition to wildlife photography, he has documented India’s Parliament transition, with his images featured in a coffee table book. Shaurya is developing a website to showcase his work, continuing to inspire others through his unique blend of professionalism and creativity.
Read more about his exemplary work here-
From Tax Codes to Tiger Hunts: Shaurya Shashwat Shukla’s Wild Journey
IAS MINISTHY S: BRIDGING CULTURES THROUGH THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF ‘SHRI RAMCHARITMANAS’
Ministhy S, a 2003-batch IAS officer and Uttar Pradesh State Tax Commissioner, has undertaken the ambitious task of translating the ‘Shri Ramcharitmanas’ into English. Her journey began in 2016 with Sundar Kand and has since included Aranya Kand, Kishkindha Kand, and Lanka Kand. Each translation is accompanied by the English meaning of the original Awadhi verses, making this revered text accessible to a wider audience. Inspired by her mother’s struggle to understand the epic due to its Awadhi language, Ministhy’s goal is to break linguistic barriers and share the spiritual teachings of the Ramayana globally. Her translation project has garnered acclaim and aims to reach people beyond India, promoting a deeper understanding of Hindu philosophy. Ministhy’s devotion to Lord Hanuman and her determination to bridge cultural divides drive her mission to share this sacred work worldwide.
Read her complete story here-
Bridging Cultures: IAS Ministhy S’s ‘Epic’ Journey Translating ‘Shri Ramcharitmanas’ into English
HOW PARAMITA SATPATHY BECAME AN ODIA LITERARY ICON
Paramita Satpathy, born in 1965, is a celebrated Odia author and Sahitya Akademi Award winner. Daughter of renowned poet Pratibha Satpathy, Paramita grew up in a literary environment, which deeply influenced her journey into literature. Her first short story was published in 1985, and she later balanced her writing career with a role in the Indian Revenue Service. Her works, including Prapti and Chandan ke Phool, explore human emotions and cultural complexities, and have been translated into multiple languages. Inspired by her mother’s literary legacy, Paramita’s passion for storytelling grew over the years, and she eventually won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2016. She values translation as a means to make Odia literature accessible globally. Despite time constraints due to her career, Paramita continues writing, working on her fifth novel set to release in 2025, and remains a prominent figure in Odia literature.
Read her story here-
Books, Awards, and a Mother’s Legacy: How Paramita Satpathy Became an Odia Literary Icon
IAS OFFICER DR. N VIJAY LAKSHMI REVIVES CHILDHOOD PASSION FOR BHARATNATYAM
Dr. N Vijay Lakshmi, a 1995-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, rekindled her childhood passion for Bharatnatyam at the age of 40, proving it’s never too late to pursue dreams. Originally from Andhra Pradesh, she was captivated by classical music and dance but couldn’t train due to her father’s frequent transfers. Inspired by Telugu movies showcasing classical dance, her love for Bharatnatyam never waned.
Despite completing two postgraduate degrees, clearing the UPSC exam, and managing a demanding career, Dr. Lakshmi’s desire to dance persisted. In 2008, while serving in Bihar and pursuing a PhD from IIT Delhi, she enrolled in Bhartiya Nritya Kala Mandir in Patna. Within a year, she performed at Rajgir Mahotsava.
Now Principal Secretary of the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Resources Department, she continues to perform, balancing her career and passion for Bharatnatyam as a source of joy and personal fulfillment.
Watch her video interview here-
Balancing Bureaucracy and Bharatnatyam: The Inspiring Story of Dr. N Vijaya Lakshmi
SANGEETA GUPTA: THE ACCIDENTAL FILMMAKER WITH A PASSION FOR ART
Sangeeta Gupta, a former IRS officer and acclaimed abstract artist, embarked on an unexpected journey into filmmaking when she couldn’t find a director for a film on her friend, poet, and art critic Keshav Malik. With no formal training, she took on the challenge, creating her debut film, which premiered at ICCR Auditorium.
Despite initial criticism, Gupta embraced it constructively, evolving as a filmmaker. She produced three films on Malik, delving deeper into his legacy. Her dedication to the craft has earned her significant recognition, with six of her films now preserved in the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Gupta’s love for travel fuels her creativity, evident in her 13 films on Jordan and Egypt. Her passion for capturing life through a lens remains undeterred as she works on her next project. Gupta’s journey exemplifies resilience and the power of pursuing one’s artistic calling.
Watch her exclusive video interview here-
Sangeeta Gupta: The Accidental Filmmaker with a Passion for Art and Travel
THE JOURNEY BEHIND KATHAKAR KI DIARY
Kathakar Ki Diary, the debut feature film by 2013-batch IRS officer Anwesh, is a poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and societal expectations. Featuring a child, a cancer-stricken photographer, a musician, a transwoman, and a tribal-area athlete, the film illuminates marginalized lives through an experimental, non-linear narrative.
Driven by a personal commitment to amplify unheard voices, Anwesh embarked on this ambitious project, capturing struggles and triumphs that resonate universally. Shot across diverse locations in India like Mumbai, Pune, Odisha, and Meghalaya between 2022 and 2023, the production overcame numerous challenges.
Music plays a central role, blending traditional Indian instruments with modern compositions, reflecting Anwesh’s performing arts background.
Described as “a film of the people, by the people, for the people,” Kathakar Ki Diary transcends conventional cinema, offering a deeply human narrative that celebrates resilience and the complexities of Indian life.
Watch the interview here-
The Journey Behind Kathakar Ki Diary | Video Interview
