Kolkata: Retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Mrityunjay Kumar Singh, a 1987-batch West Bengal cadre officer, has been appointed as the Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kolkata Kendra. He will assume charge on August 1, 2026, marking a new chapter in a distinguished career that has spanned policing, diplomacy, governance, literature and cultural administration.
The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Kolkata Kendra is one of the institution’s prominent centres in eastern India, managing two major schools, a management institute, a Kala Kendra and a sports academy across West Bengal.
A Distinguished IPS Career
Mrityunjay Kumar Singh served in the Indian Police Service for nearly four decades and held several important assignments in the West Bengal Police.
Among his notable field postings were:
- Superintendent of Police, Murshidabad
- Superintendent of Police, Undivided Midnapore
Over the years, he held several leadership positions in both the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police before concluding his policing career as Director General (DG) and Commandant General, Home Guards, West Bengal. Even after retirement, he continued to serve as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Home Guards.
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Key Roles in Diplomacy and Governance
Apart from policing, Singh spent seven years on deputation with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), where he handled several important diplomatic and administrative assignments.
His major roles included:
- Director in the Ministry of External Affairs, handling Bangladesh Affairs
- Regional Passport Officer
- Counsellor (Culture) at the Embassy of India in Jakarta, Indonesia
During his diplomatic tenure in Indonesia, he curated the prestigious three-month-long “Festival of India”, showcasing India’s cultural heritage.
He also represented India in international forums, including participation in discussions related to the Bali Democracy Forum, UNICEF, and the SAARC Summit held in Dhaka.
Transition to Institutional Leadership
Following his retirement from active police service, Singh entered the corporate and educational sectors.
In March 2024, he joined the Shrachi Group in Kolkata as a Corporate Advisor.
Now, from August 1, 2026, he will head Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kolkata Kendra, overseeing its educational institutions, management education programmes, cultural activities and sports infrastructure.
An Accomplished Writer, Poet and Folk Singer
Beyond policing, Mrityunjay Kumar Singh has built a distinguished reputation in literature and the performing arts. Often described as a “cop with a poet’s heart,” he is an accomplished Hindi and Bhojpuri writer, lyricist and folk singer.
He is also an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)-empanelled folk performer.
His literary and artistic contributions include:
- Writing lyrics for acclaimed filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh’s films, including Chokher Bali (2003) and Antarmahal.
- Songs featured in films such as Dharm (2007) and Via Darjeeling (2008).
- Publication of the acclaimed Bhojpuri novel Ganga Ratan Bidesi, focusing on the history and emotions of indentured colonial labourers.
- Author of the celebrated Hindi narrative poem Draupadi.
- Published poetry collection Kirchen.
- Playwright of The Dice of Desire, selected for the prestigious Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2023, besides authoring Dev Sabha.
Academic Contributions
Singh has also contributed to higher education as a visiting professor at the Kolkata Regional Centre of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, mentoring students in literature, language and public administration.
His appointment to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is expected to bring together his rich experience in governance, administration, diplomacy and culture to further strengthen one of India’s most respected educational and cultural institutions.
About Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Kolkata Kendra, integrated in Salt Lake City (Sector III) in 1984, functions as a premier educational and cultural hub. It features Bhavan’s Gangabux Kanoria Vidyamandir (BGKV), a CBSE-affiliated school catering to over 3,600 students, and the Institute of Management Science, which offers professional postgraduate business degrees. Grounded in holistic learning, the center actively blends standard modern academics with rich traditional Indian cultural and moral values.
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