During one of my travels within India, I went to Puducherry to see the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. While bowing my head in reverence at the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, I heard an inner voice – ‘Go, visit Raj Nivas.’ I asked Chandra Gariyali, IAS (Retd.), my friend and batchmate, accompanying me, “Where is Raj Nivas?” She said, “Just next lane.” I told her, “Let’s go.” The security guards at the Raj Nivas gate allowed us in. We passed by the overawing tall palm trees, the lush green lawns, and the statue of Varaha, one of the avatars of Vishnu. This deity was the centre of attraction in front of the building. “Take care of the money in Puducherry, Kiran Ji,” said the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, on my acceptance of responsibility as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.

THE CALL AND THE CALLING

The Lt. Governor was not in the office. We met with Shri G. Srinivas, Additional Secretary and other officials, had tea together, and left. As I walked out, I thought I may have left behind a piece of myself. After a few years, the Honourable Prime Minister of India invited me to serve Puducherry as its Lt. Governor. Was it to fulfil a divine calling? I wondered. I accepted the responsibility with reverence, sensing a divine design. I resolved to make it EVERYTHING. I became the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.

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LEARNING FROM DAY 1

The news of being called by the Honourable Prime Minister went viral. The media were tracking me. On being asked, I confirmed, “Yes, I am going to Puducherry – looking forward to my new responsibility.”

It took me less than a week to leave for Puducherry. During the intervening days, I worked with the Puducherry Resident Commissioner, Mr. K.K. Singh, a senior civil servant who had handson knowledge of the administration in Puducherry. I was eager to know about the Union Territory’s challenges and possible strategies the administration could adopt. The more I learned about Puducherry, the more it became evident that service and financial matters would need a sound grasp, planning, and correction.

The clear concerns were dealing with the pernicious practice of borrowing to repay, blatant violation of financial rules, rampant corruption, and prevailing rowdyism. I telephoned the Chief Secretary of Puducherry, asking him to set up a toll-free phone line to receive information against organised crime, property grabbing and corruption. I wanted this to be functioning by the time I landed as I wanted people to have a confidential toll-free number to communicate. I persisted with the Chief Secretary to have it installed. I sensed his discomfort at my insistence on its urgent implementation. He had to comply. I called up my predecessor, General A.K. Singh, to share any thoughts on Puducherry for guidance. He was Administrator – Andamans, with an additional charge as the Lieutenant Governor, Puducherry. He assured me that he had left behind an excellent team of officers at Raj Nivas. The officers were professionally capable and trustworthy, led by Secretary Mr. G. Theva Neethi Dhas, a senior IAS officer. Others were Shri G. Srinivas, Additional Secretary to LG of Puducherry; Shri Praveen Kumar Tripathi, ADC to Lt. Governor; Mr. R. Sridharan, Private Secretary to Lt. Governor; Mr. J. Kumaran, Public Relations Assistant; and Mrs. Asha Gupta, Comptroller of Household.

PROSPEROUS PUDUCHERRY

With this account and self-induction, I left for the Union Territory of Puducherry. I flew by Indigo Airlines – an economy flight. Dr. Amrita Bahl, a long-standing friend and prospective Officer on Special Duty, accompanied me. While on the flight, Amrita and I coined the strategic mission statement ‘Prosperous Puducherry’, wanting all services, actions, and decisions aligned towards one common purpose – ‘Prosperous Puducherry.’ I resolved to make this responsibility my life.