https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Fighting For Tribal Rights Through His Books

Indian Masterminds Stories

It’s an open secret that despite plethora of reforms and schemes launched by successive governments, many tribal communities in India still remain cut off from the mainstream. Some of these communities are even struggling for their existence. 

One such community is the `Asurs’ of Jharkhand. Its members also dwell in parts of Bihar and Odisha. They would have been forgotten and relegated to the annals of history as a mythical group, if IAS officer Ranendra Kumar had not come out with a book focussing on them and their existential crisis. 

Published in 2006, Mr. Kumar’s book, Global Gaon Ka Devta (The God of the Global Village), created a wave in the literary field. It made readers look at the tribals with a new-found empathy.  Mr Kumar, interestingly, has also published many stories and poems throwing insight into the lives of tribals and women. In a fitting acknowledgement of his contributions, he has been chosen for the ‘Sri Lal Shukla Smriti IFFCO Sahitya Samman’ this year.  

In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Kumar opens up about his ideology as well as his ongoing journeys in administration and literature. 

LITERATURE WAS PART OF HIS CHILDHOOD

Mr. Kumar was born into a middle-class family, and his father was a professor of Hindi language. He says it was his privilege that from childhood, literature became a part of him. Every now and then, there would be literature discussions in his house. He used to actively take part in them and recite sonnets of Kabir, Rahim and others. He also devoured books on the subject. 

But while literature was his love, he also wanted to explore society from the grassroot level. So, he prepared for state civil service and got selected in 1988. In 2006, he got promoted to IAS and is currently serving as Secretary, Jharkhand State Service Commission.

Mr. Ranendra started out as a PCS officer

TOO MANY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TRIBES

As a PCS officer in Jharkhand, Mr. Kumar got lots of opportunities to work in tribal areas. He says that most of us have many misconceptions about them, like they are savages and illiterate and not attuned to the idea of development. But this is not the reality, he insisted.

He points out, “I have been in many districts where I was in touch with well-educated people working as headmasters and teachers. While posted in Gumla during 1995-96, I came to know the `Asur’ tribe quite closely. The population of that tribe has shrunk to just a village in that district. The major problem was illegal mining of bauxite, which disturbed their traditional lifestyle. I tried my best to stop this slide but could not succeed.” 

But Mr Kumar could not forget his `Asur’ friends. So, he did the next best thing possible – write a book on their life and various problems, and how they had been pushed to the point of losing their identity. 

“Even after coming back, I couldn’t forget them and tried to project their plights through the story.” 

GLOBAL GAON KA DEVTA

In his book, Global Gaon Ka Devta, Mr. Kumar connects the tribals with the `Asur’ of legend, and how they have been demonised because they lost the `Devasur Sangram” (The Battle with the Gods). He says, “One can’t deny that losing side is always shown in a bad picture. In the earlier times, the Devs (Gods) took everything from them and now we (the privileged class of people) are trying to steal their assets in the name of development.”

GAYAB HOTA DESH

In his second book, Gayab Hota Desh (The Vanishing Country), Mr Kumar highlights the struggle between real estate tycoons and the tribals. He points out that people like Birsa Munda gave his life to safeguard the lands of the tribes. And though laws have been enacted to protect the tribals’ rights, the rich and unscrupulous real estate tycoons try to steal from them in the name of dubious development projects.

NOT AFRAID TO EXPRESS HIS IDEAS

Mr. Kumar’s writings draw their essence from his own convictions, and he is not too careful to be politically correct. When asked if he faced any problems due to this, he said, “I am in administration and expected to work with and for the people. The issues which I raise are also related to the citizens of this country. So, I don’t fear in writing anything because I am honest in my work.” 

Mr. Kumar is also excited for the Shri Lal Shukla Award. He said that it’s a great honour for him. He added that he was a great admirer of Shri Lal Shukla and there are many similarities between them. Late Mr Shukla, known for many pathbreaking books such as Rag DarbaariSooni Ghati ka Suraj and Aadmi ka Zahar, had started out as a PCS officer.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Jammu and Kashmir Government
Three IAS Officers Assigned New Postings in J&K; Check Names Here
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services
Senior IAS Officer Rajendra Ratnoo Opts for Voluntary Retirement
SEBI
SEBI Appoints 3 New Executive Directors: Amit Pradhan, Avneesh Pandey & Sanjay Purao Take Charge
Lateral_entry_resized
No Reservation in Lateral Govt Job Entries, Centre Tells Rajya Sabha Citing Single-Post Rule
DelhiPolice
Top-Level Shake-Up in Delhi Police: 3 IPS Officers Reassigned Amid Security Concerns; Chahal Named DG, Civil Defence
mp
MP’s ₹3 Lakh Crore Infrastructure Boom: 255 km Greenfield Highway, ₹5,500 Cr Tiger Corridor Among Key Road Projects
FINNOVATION 2025
SBI & IIT Guwahati Celebrate FINNOVATION 2025 Winners in Gurugram, Empowering Young Innovators to Solve Banking Challenges
nitish-kumar
Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar Inaugurates Rs 44 Crore Six-Lane Pull-Up Ramp in Patna, Aims to Ease Traffic Congestion- Know More
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Jammu and Kashmir Government
Three IAS Officers Assigned New Postings in J&K; Check Names Here
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services
Senior IAS Officer Rajendra Ratnoo Opts for Voluntary Retirement
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT