In a remarkable display of devotion and commitment, senior Indian Police Service officer Raja Babu Singh has pledged to dedicate a substantial period of his post-retirement life to serving pilgrims in Ayodhya.
The 1994-batch IPS officer, currently serving as the Inspector General (Training) with the Border Security Force (BSF), shared his spiritual aspirations in an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds.
A SPIRITUAL SOJOURN
Mr. Raja Babu Singh expressed his deep-rooted connection with Ayodhya, emphasizing his decision to spend a considerable amount of time in the holy town after retiring from the service. His commitment extends beyond a mere visit, as he plans to actively engage in serving the pilgrims, participating in prayers, meditation, and ensuring a daily darshan of Lord Ram.
But what prompted him to take this decision? Let’s go back several years down memory lane to understand about the officer’s undying faith in Lord Rama that encouraged his pledge.
DOWN THE MEMORY LANE
Mr. Singh lost his father when he was only in class 4. Life was never easy after that. With no support in his upbringing from the family and hailing from a home where no one had cleared even the 5th standard, Mr. Singh’s hardships, especially when it came to studies, knew no bounds.
“No one served in government service, not even as a clerk, let alone as an IAS or IPS, in my family in the last seven known generations. But I did not wish the same for me. I wanted to study as much as possible and make a name for myself in the world, which is when I decided to become a civil servant,” Mr. Singh told Indian Masterminds.
A TOUGH RIDE TO UPSC
The officer moved to Allahabad (now Prayagraj) and started living in rented rooms, cooking his own food on a kerosene stove, and preparing for the civil service. With absolutely no guidance from anyone and no coaching, the officer gave his first attempt in 1991 and cleared the Prelims but could not clear the Mains.
He then gave his second attempt in 1992 and cleared Prelims and Mains but failed in the Interview. This was the first time he had come to Delhi.
“I came to Delhi for the first time to appear for my UPSC interview. Before that, I hadn’t even seen Delhi or knew anything about it. Unfortunately, I failed in my interview but did not give up and decided to give another attempt,” he stated.
THIRD TIME’S A CHARM
During his third attempt Mr. Singh stayed in the servant quarters of a Member of Parliament from Bhadohi, Mr. Virendra Singh, which was attached to his North Avenue bungalow. Mr. Singh’s elder brother was the MP’s senior at Allahabad University, and the officer had no other place to stay in Delhi.
He kept preparing for the exam and with what he believes is God’s grace, Mr. Singh was finally able to crack the UPSC Civil Service exam in 1993, and became an IPS officer.
STRONG BELIEVER
In the last 30 years of his career, Mr. Singh has served in different districts of Madhya Pradesh as Superintendent of Police, ADG/IG Gwalior zone, went on deputation to ITBP for more than five years, served in sensitive zones of the North East (first time in Itanagar when in ITBP, second time in Churachandpur in Manipur), and is currently serving as IG BSF in Kashmir.
He faced numerous life-threatening situations during his service but he took them on fearlessly. He gradually received name and fame and kept climbing the ladder of success, but one thing that he never forgot was his Lord and his blessings.
“Ever since I lost my father, I knew I had no one to protect or guide me except God. I knew he was my protector. In the last 30 years of my career, he was with me through every up and down, no matter where I was posted. He was the one who helped me sail beautifully through life even while I was serving in extremely dangerous and tough postings such as Kashmir or the Indo-Tibetan border. Over time, my faith in Him has strengthened beyond limits,” he shared with Indian Masterminds.
A BRICK IN THE TEMPLE’S FOUNDATION
Mr. Singh further revealed that his connection with Ayodhya dates back to his days as a student at Allahabad University. During that time, he, along with a friend, went for kar seva. He woke up early in the morning in the chilly winters, took a dip in the Saryu River, and went to seek blessings from Ram Lalla who sat in a small tent during that time.
His heart was so overwhelmed with the experience that he even contributed a brick for the construction of the temple after the Babri mosque’s demolition in 1992. This symbolic gesture marked the beginning of his spiritual journey and his long-standing desire to witness the construction of the grand temple.
ROOTED IN RELIGIOUS FAITH
Now, he views his upcoming retirement not as an endpoint but as a new chapter in his spiritual pursuit. Having served in various capacities within the IPS, including holding the position of BSF IG in Kashmir and overseeing operations along the Line of Control under the Army’s operational command, Mr. Singh’s decision reflects a profound connection with Lord Rama’s birthplace.
“As my gratitude to him, I will spend most of my time post-retirement, serving pilgrims, cleaning stairs, and in whichever way possible, try to repay him,” Mr. Singh said.
As Mr. Singh prepares for the next phase of his life, his journey, from offering a brick as a student to pledging his post-retirement years to Ayodhya, reflects the intertwining of personal faith and duty. In an era where professional obligations often take precedence, Mr. Singh’s spiritual sojourn sets an inspiring example of balancing one’s commitment to duty with a profound connection to faith and community service.
