Reading about IRS officer Maya Maheshwari’s multitasking abilities and skills can help people learn how to make the most of their free time. The Commissioner of Income Tax, Bhopal, explored her skills and mastered her talents, while on a one-year sabbatical from her duties.
A PAINTER
The officer, who comes from a family of NIT and IIT graduates, relocated to Hyderabad for a year to support her son while he applied to the prestigious institution. As a workaholic, she found the one-year break to be stressful as she had nothing to do, all day. Yet Ms. Maheshwari decided to do something productive rather than idly pass the time.
“As my son suggested, I decided to pick up a paintbrush for the first time in my life. I was dubious at first, but after I started, I fell in love with it. I gradually learned that I was also fairly excellent at drawing,” Ms. Maheshwari shared in an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds.
The officer watched several tutorials, participated in online sessions, and not only learnt but also mastered Madhubani and Gond art forms. Her paintings were also displayed at her alma mater, the National Academy of Direct Taxes in Nagpur.
“Had I not taken the sabbatical, I would have never discovered my hidden talent, so I am happy about it.”
A POET
Ms. Maheshwari, the daughter of a poet and novelist, is carrying on her father’s legacy by penning poems with her brother. They collaborated on the publication of an anthology of 80 poems that contained her father’s poetry as well as 20 of her own. The collection, titled ‘Assi,’ is a tribute to her late father, who would have turned 80 this year.
She has been writing poems for a long time and is currently in the process of compiling a collection and getting it published by the coming year. This would be her first solo publication.
PURSING RESEARCH
Apart from this, the officer also enrolled herself in PhD during her sabbatical, to make the most use of her time! She was the topper of Barkatullah university where she completed her LLB, in the year 2021. The achievement motivated her to carry on with her education and acquire a doctorate.
“I have already completed the course work of my PhD in Engineering and Management (use of data analytics and tax management) and I am currently doing my research work. I have selected the subject as it is very important and close to my job,” Ms. Maheshwari shared with Indian Masterminds.
