A distinguished individual who has made significant strides in his career as an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, a Chevening scholar, and an accomplished author, Mr. Samrat Rahi’s journey is a testament to dedication, academic excellence, and a passion for knowledge sharing.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the officer shared details about his journey, focusing on his experiences as a Chevening scholar and author.
EARLY DAYS
Hailing from Chhattisgarh, Mr. Rahi displayed academic brilliance from a young age and harbored a love for writing. His participation in numerous writing competitions during school, where he garnered accolades and recognition, laid the foundation for his future literary endeavors.
“I used to feel very excited when my articles got published in the local newspapers. In school also, I was a meritorious student, and my articles received a lot of praise from everyone,” shared the officer.
Mr. Rahi’s diverse academic background, including experiences in government, public, and convent schools, provided him with a nuanced understanding of writing styles and diverse perspectives.
“At that time, we didn’t get a lot of pocket money, so I used to save my prize money coupons and reimburse them to get money. During my final year, I bought books with the same money and appeared for UPSC, but unfortunately, I couldn’t crack it. Later, I joined IBM as a software engineer but kept preparing for UPSC in the meantime,” he told Indian Masterminds.
AN AUTHOR IN MAKING
To his joy, the officer cracked the UPSC CSE in his second attempt and joined the IRS in Calcutta, as an Assistant Income Tax Commissioner. He continued there for a few years before receiving a promotion and being transferred to Pune in 2015.
His journey as an author began in Pune, where he penned his first book, “A Romantic Girl.” This romantic fiction novel delves into the life of Alia, portraying her journey from innocence to life-altering decisions.
Mr. Rahi’s storytelling prowess and ability to connect with readers have earned him praise and a dedicated readership. Despite his demanding professional commitments, he managed to carve out time to nurture his passion for writing, showcasing his dedication and time management skills.
“It’s interesting how I receive so many emails from people who have read my book, telling me how the book has touched their lives and hearts. The book received quite a good response, and I was very happy to witness that,” Mr. Rahi stated.
MANAGING TIME BETWEEN WORK AND PASSION
Because the income tax department is primarily office work, the officer could devote a significant amount of time after finishing his 10–6 to brainstorm and put his ideas into words for his book.
“We had a small family back then, so time management was simple. When the kids come into the picture, getting time out of your daily routine to pursue your interests becomes challenging since they take up most of your time, but I still try to grab a few moments of the day for myself,” Mr. Rahi explained.
ACHIEVING SCHOLARLY HEIGHTS
His passion to achieve great heights in life and do something different didn’t just stop there. He had the desire to study abroad. Even during his preparation for UPSC, he was studying to get into the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore, but unfortunately could not.
Finally, his aspiration for academic excellence led him to secure a prestigious Chevening scholarship in 2019. He pursued a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from King’s College, London, expanding his horizons and gaining valuable insights into global policy frameworks. Along with Chevening, he also received a fellowship from the Royal College of Arts, London.
He then started applying for deputation and finally got appointed as Deputy Chairperson in the Kolkata Dock System, officially known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust (Also known as Kolkata Port Trust), under the Ministry of Port, Shipping, & Waterways in 2021, after he came back home from completing his scholarship.
“We only have 12 major ports in India which are administered by the Ministry and I feel fortunate enough to administer the Kolkata port,” shared Mr. Rahi.
ANOTHER FELLOWSHIP
In 2023, Mr. Rahi again received an opportunity to gain a fellowship from the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. It was a 21-day program, and people from 21 different countries participated in the program.
“I was representing India. Coincidentally, my topic of fellowship was related to Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness in Ports. People from different areas were nominated by the US Embassy, and I am glad that I got the opportunity to earn the fellowship,” he told Indian Masterminds.
The officer recommends everyone at least once experience the joy of studying abroad, as it’s a completely different picture and gives you a different experience from your usual life.
