With 2020 nearing its end, Indian Masterminds views some of the best stories that it has published this year. With an exciting and long list of inspiring stories from IAS and IPS officers from across the country, we have selected the top five stories by our correspondent Bhakti Kothari in the second part of the series. These stories are as varied and exhilarating as the work that these officers do. From writing works of fiction alongside working for the nation to renovating and enhancing dull Anganwadis into fun and funky playschools; from enhancing and developing an entire city in shambles to uplifting regions of North East India, our officers have given theirs all into making the country a better place for you and me!

BEYOND UNIFORM: STANDING UP FOR VOICE-LESS HILL FOLKS

No matter how much everyone denies it, but racism in our country still rears its ugly head once in a while. In many places, for instance, people from North-East areas are still considered foreigners, often forced to face derogatory remarks and behavior. One such man, who found himself at the receiving end of this behavior, in his younger days, is now an IPS officer. Robin Hibu is his name.

In his younger days, before he became an IPS officer, Robin Hibu would often be at the receiving end of insults and slights usually reserved for the people of North East region. He is the first IPS to emerge out of his Arunachal Pradesh-based tribe. Significantly, the success made him genuinely helpful to the people in need.

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It was, in fact, this unfair treatment meted out to him that he resolved to bridge the gap between North-East and Delhi. Talking to Indian Masterminds, he tells about his journey from village to city and his numerous accomplishments.

To read his full story, click on the link given: IPS Robin Hibu

TRANSFORMING SCHOOLS- THAT’S WHERE HER HEART LIES

It was the great American philosopher Henry David Thoreau- one of the heroes of Mahatma Gandhi- who had once remarked, “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”

Why should a Government school have that typical dilapidated, worn outlook? Why can’t it compete with the best private schools? These are the questions that motivate IAS officer Fouzia Taranum as she goes about giving magical face-lift to schools in this picturesque pocket in Karnataka.

Transforming traditional Government schools into modern, smart temples of learning was always the dream she nurtured. And once she became the IAS officer, with a posting in Chikkaballapur, Karnataka, there was no stopping for Ms. Fouzia Taranum from implementing it in earnest.

In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Ms. Fouzia, at present Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chikkaballapur Zilla Parishad, recounted how she was able to affect the transformation of schools under her jurisdiction. “Schools and Anganwadis for children,” she maintained,” should be a space that imparts knowledge in such a way that children start loving going to schools.”

To read her full story, click here: Fouzia Taranum

HOW AN IAS OFFICER BECAME THE ‘STAR’ OF MEGHALAYA!

How often do you come across an officer trying his best to build up a broken-up district and give it a new identity? IAS officer Mr. Swapnil Tembe is one such person. Mr. Swapnil, the District Collector of East Garo Hills of Meghalaya believes that education is the foundation of life and has the power to bring about social change.

As a civil servant, Mr. Swapnil has changed and is still changing thousands of lives in the forgotten districts of Meghalaya. He has lit up the paths for hundreds of children who wanted to go to school, but couldn’t, because of the dilapidated condition the schools were in.

In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, IAS Swapnil Tembe tells us all about his dream to make Meghalaya a better place and how he was able to accomplish his dream!

To know more about him, click here: Swapnil Tembe

RE-INVENTING SALEM

From ensuring water conservation in villages to entering Guinness Book of World Records by teaching over one million people how to wash their hands properly, IAS officer Rohini Bidari has done for Salem what nobody before her could. And yes, she has also taught tribal people, the fine art of making and selling healthy bakery products!

Salem is a small district in Tamil Nadu and it recently had a glorious transformation owing to the numerous initiatives taken by its then collector, Ms. Rohini Bidari. She also bags the honor of being Salem’s first female collector. Currently posted as the Deputy Secretary of Higher Education in the Government of India, Ms. Rohini elaborated on the various initiatives taken by her to develop Salem, in an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds.

Read her full story here: Rohini Bidari

‘MOTHER, I HAVE BECOME A COLLECTOR’

Despite crushing poverty, Mr. Rajesh Patil nursed the burning ambition of becoming a civil servant. Beating all odds, he became an IAS officer in 2005, making his mother the happiest person ever. However, his journey was not a bed of roses. He had to toil really hard to reach wherever he is now. In a conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Rajesh opens up about his life, work, and journey so far.

Son of manual laborers, the above is the title of IAS officer Rajesh Patil’s autobiographical work. His true story of many struggles, and victories over them, should be an inspiration for many among us.

Read his full story here: Rajesh Patil