https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

When God Calls

Gupteshwar Pandey, the former Bihar DGP, is among the several IPS officers who have embraced religion- at times even before retirement
Indian Masterminds Stories

When the former DGP of Bihar Gupteshwar Pandey turned to politics (briefly) before taking the path of a `pracharak’, i.e a religious preacher, he made several headlines. And continues to do so. But what may not be so apparent is that Mr Pandey is not the first IPS officer to have found solace in sudden discovery of God. Before him, many senior officers have devoted their pre and post retirement life to serve God and find peace in prayers. 

Here are a few of them:

Kishore Kunal 

The 1972 batch officer of Gujarat Cadre had served on various important positions- he was  the SP of Patna and DCP of Ahmedabad. He was also appointed as an Officer on Special Duty to handle Ayodhya issue and continued his service during the tenure of Prime Ministers Chandra Shekhar and P.V. Narasimha Rao. The ex-IPS who hails from Muzaffarpur District of Bihar played integral role in mediating between Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Babri Masjid Action Committee. 

Acharya Kishore Kunal is now part of Mahavir Mandir Trust, Patna

Mr Kunal is considered as one of the most successful IPS officers in the country. But, he took early retirement while 10 years of his service was still remaining. When asked about the reason he told Indian Masterminds, “The Khakhi was not in the mood to leave me, but I had to leave it. Actually, a life-changing incident happened which led to this. I was about to drown in river Ganga in Vidhyanchal (Uttar Pradesh) but somehow got saved. I consider that nothing sort of a miracle. I felt that I have been blessed with another life and it would be a waste if I still don’t devote myself to god and social services”. 

So that’s how Mr Kunal’s life took an abrupt change. Now he is known as Acharya Kunal and is part of Mahavir Temple Trust, Patna. He has opened various schools and hospitals where the money from the trust is used. The ex-officer also served as the vice chancellor  of Sanskrit University, Dharbhanga and Chairman of Religious Trust Board, Bihar for a short period.  He is also actively involved in the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. 

Mr. Shankar was appointed the DGP, Bihar in 2009

‘The idea was not to become a Baba or Saint. I just wanted to connect charity with religion and continues to do so”, he said. He has also started Ramayana Research Institution in Ayodhya. 

Anand Shankar 

The 1973 batch officer served as the DGP of Bihar during 2009-10. Known as a God-fearing man, Mr. Shankar would often be with `tulsi’ beads and a `tika’ on his forehead. After the retirement, he went to Barsana in Mathura to devote his life to `Krishna Bhakti’ and `Gau Seva’ . In an interview to the media, he had said that his wife also took her last breath in Barsana and he wanted the same for him. He still lives there. 

Devendra Kumar Panda 

The 1971 batch officer of Uttar Pradesh Cadre had declared himself as ‘Second Radha’. The officer was posted as the IGP (Rule and Manuals), UP in 2009 when he publicly came out wearing attire of a woman calling himself ‘Radha’. His actions were called inappropriate for an officer and he had to leave the job. 


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NBCC
NBCC Secures Educational Infrastructure Projects Worth ₹64.67 Crore Across India
Reserve-Bank-of-India_RBI_resized
RBI Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar Gets One-Year Extension
Manipur Public Service Commission
Former IFS SS Chhabra Appointed Chairman of Manipur Public Service Commission
images - 2021-07-23T090739
84 Judicial Officers Reshuffled Across Punjab, Justice Virinder Aggarwal Moved to Faridkot
Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Coaching Scheme Uttar Pradesh1
UP: 13 Students from Yogi Govt’s Abhyudaya Coaching Scheme Crack UPSC 2024, Shine on National Stage
Uttar Pradesh UP Government
15 IPS officers Transferred in Uttar Pradesh, Arvind Mishra Appointed SP Kanpur Dehat, Sudha Singh DIG Railway, Lucknow
IAS Officers New Image
7 IAS Officers, Anju Sharma & Nitishwar Kumar, Empanelled for Addl Secy-Level Posts at Centre
prateek jain ias
IAS Prateek Jain Transferred to Gujarat Cadre on Grounds of Marriage
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
This Collector Finds Happiness In Squeaks Of Children With Hearing Impairment Who Start Hearing After Surgery
UPSC Stories
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-23 at 17.08
Two Births in Two Weeks: How Malavika G Nair Delivered Her Baby And Her UPSC Dreams
Just 14 days after giving birth, Malavika G Nair cradled her newborn in one arm and a UPSC answer sheet...
Komal Punia UPSC 2024 AIR 6
Komal Punia: The IPS Officer Who Pursued Her IAS Dream & Conquered UPSC With AIR 6 | Exclusive
Komal Punia, a trainee IPS officer from Saharanpur, UP, overcame challenges and self-doubt to secure...
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-22 at 21.00
AIR-11, Ettaboyina Sai Shivani: The Girl Who Quietly Dreamt, and Loudly Delivered in UPSC CSE 2024
At 24, Ettaboyina Sai Shivani from Warangal cracked UPSC 2024 with AIR 11—no coaching, no shortcuts....
Social Media
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-23 at 17.08
Two Births in Two Weeks: How Malavika G Nair Delivered Her Baby And Her UPSC Dreams
NBCC
NBCC Secures Educational Infrastructure Projects Worth ₹64.67 Crore Across India
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT