Women are not rising; they have always been rising. In homes, in offices, in classrooms, and in the corridors of power, they have shaped decisions, nurtured ideas, and built institutions. What has changed is that the world is finally watching. This Women’s Day, we celebrate women officers who prove that leadership and creativity can walk hand in hand and that public service and personal passion are not competing worlds but complementary forces.
From canvas to classical dance, from poetry to wildlife photography, these women show that identity is never singular. They govern districts, shape policy, collect revenue, protect forests — and still find space to create, perform and inspire.
KIRAN SONI GUPTA: THE ADMINISTRATOR WHO PAINTS THE WORLD
A 1985-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, Kiran Soni Gupta balanced a distinguished administrative career with an internationally recognised art journey. A retired IRS officer, she has held key roles including Divisional Commissioner in Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ajmer and Bharatpur, and served as Textile Commissioner, Mumbai, and Financial Adviser in multiple Union Ministries.
Alongside governance, her art travelled globally. Her works, such as “Pooja Times” and “NREGA”, were exhibited at the Louvre Museum, earning international recognition. She has organised over 37 solo shows and more than 75 group exhibitions and initiated the International Art Festival in Jaipur.
For Ms. Gupta, art is not separate from service. “It has been a wonderful and enriching journey. I find myself blessed that I got an opportunity to serve the country as an IAS and also express myself with my art,” she says.
Whether helping a young powerlifter compete internationally or organising charity art shows for social causes, she demonstrates that administration with empathy creates lasting impact.
NAINA SOIN KAPIL: A POET IN PUBLIC SERVICE
IRS officer Naina Soin Kapil works in one of the most technical and demanding arms of governance. Yet beyond tax files and policy frameworks, she writes poetry that explores love, loss, hope and identity.
Her literary presence at readings and cultural platforms has drawn admiration for its depth and emotional clarity. She believes creativity strengthens her administrative role rather than distracting from it.
“It’s about setting the right balance. Both roles complement each other. My experiences in the IRS give me a unique perspective in my poetry, and my poetry grounds me in my work,” she shares.
Her journey sends a clear message to young professionals: intellectual rigour and creative expression can grow together.
ITY PANDEY: RUNNING BEYOND THE TRACKS
For Indian Railway Traffic Service officer Ity Pandey, the discipline of administration finds a powerful parallel in the endurance of marathon running. Her journey into long-distance running began almost unexpectedly when she started training alongside her husband, Virendra Ojha. What began as a cautious step soon turned into a deep passion for one of the most demanding endurance sports in the world.
Today, she is known not only for her administrative responsibilities in the Indian Railways but also for an extraordinary athletic milestone. Before taking charge as Divisional Railway Manager in Bhusawal under Central Railway, she successfully completed the famous Comrades Marathon in South Africa — widely regarded as one of the toughest ultra-marathons globally. With this achievement, she became the first officer from Indian Railways and the first woman civil servant in India to finish the race.
Ity Pandey is currently posted as Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM) of South Central Railway (SCR) in Hyderabad. Her day often begins as early as 5 a.m. With responsibilities that require her to remain on call around the clock, training time has become scarce. Yet the runner in her has not faded. She hopes to soon return to structured training and take part in international endurance events such as the Norway Night Run and the Everest Base Camp Run.
For Ity Pandey, running is more than a sport—it is a way to regain balance amid a demanding career.
“Running is my prayer; it’s my therapy.”
Amid the constant movement of trains, the sounds of station platforms, and the pressures of railway operations, long-distance running offers her moments of quiet focus—and the energy to return to work with renewed determination.
KAVITHA RAMU: DANCING THROUGH DUTY
An IAS officer and an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, Kavitha Ramu has delivered more than 600 stage performances across three decades. Trained under renowned gurus including Neela Krishnamurthy and KJ Sarasa, she mastered the Vazhuvoor style and became an ‘A Grade’ artist with Doordarshan.
Even while preparing for the UPSC, she continued performing internationally. She once aspired to join the Indian Foreign Service but chose the IAS to remain connected to her country and her art.
In interviews, she has often reflected that administration gives purpose to her life, while dance renews her energy for that purpose. Today, she continues to balance governance with classical performance.
BISMI WILLS: THROUGH THE LENS OF THE WILD
In the forests of Kerala’s Vallakadavu range within the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Beat Forest Officer Bismi Wills captures rare wildlife moments through her camera. From elephants cooling themselves near Manammutti mountain to birds and butterflies deep inside the reserve, her photographs offer a glimpse into biodiversity rarely seen by the public.
Her journey into photography began with a simple mobile phone in 2018. Today, her images are featured on official forest department platforms, merging conservation duty with visual storytelling.
CELEBRATING MANY DIMENSIONS
On this Women’s Day, their stories remind us that empowerment is not a slogan. It is visible in everyday choices — to pursue excellence at work, to nurture passion without apology, and to expand the meaning of leadership for the next generation.
When women lead fully — with intellect, creativity and conviction — institutions become stronger, and society becomes richer.
