“If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.”
-Roman emperor and philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Contrary to the prevalent notion that all Indian civil servants are disobliging and brusque, there are some officials working for the Indian Administrative and Police Services who prove to be otherwise. As they say, not all five fingers on your hand are the same; any profession will undoubtedly include the bad and the good, the right and the wrong. What matters the most, is the difference made by the good and the right. What is of utmost importance is whether these law enforcers and protectors of human rights have the courage to stand up for the equitable. There are many such IAS and IPS officers who are never intimidated by anyone else, irrespective of how influential the other person might be, and they always strive to protect the truth. Read on to know more about the best IAS/IPS officers that India has ever seen; people who have fought for justice, and people who have often given their lives for a good cause.
1. U. Sagayam
This famous civil servant from the state of Tamil Nadu, is a revered government official for his anti-bribe operations. His policies against corruption have not spared even the most authoritative politicians and businessmen. In fact he played a significant role in the introduction of a new government in the 2012 elections of the Madurai district, where he was put in charge. However, as with all officers displaying integrity, Sagayam too was transferred several times, owing to the influence exerted by those he had left in indignation.
Photo Credit
http://hari1103.blogspot.in/2012/04/u-sagayam-from-tamil-nadu-real-ias.html
2. Narendra Kumar
Posted in Banmore, Madhya Pradesh, the young IPS officer Narendra Kumar was actively involved in arresting criminals incriminated in mining scams. He had taken steps to ensure that people of the mafia were not issued licenses, and vehicles transporting illegally mined goods were seized as soon as possible. On one such usual day, when he stopped a truck to check for illegal stones, the driver crushed the police officer to his death.
Photo Credit
http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-did-mp-mining-mafia-claim-young-ips-officer-s-life/20120309.htm
3. B. Chandrakala
B. Chandrakala is undoubtedly an inspiration for all women aspiring to live a meaningful life. Hailing from a tribal family of the Telangana district, this young IAS officer was known for acting fast on each and every complaint she received as the District Magistrate of Bulandshahar. Her major contributions were towards the pro-poor tourism project undertaken by the World Bank, and the construction of a heritage town in the area. She also actively involved herself in matters related to child welfare and women empowerment. However, her hard work was cut short as she was transferred from the district within 129 days, owing to opposition from influential politicians.
4. Armstrong Pame
The first person from Nagaland’s Zeme tribe, to become an IAS officer, Pame has made a name for himself as the benefactor of the poor in his state and in Manipur. A 100-km road that was lying unbuilt, despite receiving government sanction, saw the light of the day owing to the commendable efforts of this young man and his family members. Pame and his acquaintances contributed their personal funds, other than gathering financial aid from the citizens of India by requesting on Facebook, to finish the construction of the road. This road was built to help hundreds of residents of the remotest areas of Manipur and Nagaland to travel to hospitals in need of urgent medical attention.
Photo Credit
http://topyaps.com/armstrong-pame-the-miracle-man-of-manipur
5. S. R. Sankaran
Sankaran, is known even today as ‘an ideal people’s IAS officer,’ because of his efforts to do away with bonded labor. He is also remembered for protecting the interests of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, along with those of the poor in general. What made him more endearing to the masses was his humble lifestyle and down-to-earth qualities. He initiated several rural welfare programmes in India. His impeccable work as an IAS officer, earned him as many foes as friends, and he was one of those officials who were held by miscreants of the People’s War Group in the East Godavari district.
Photo Credit
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/peoples-ias-officer-sr-sankaran-no-more/article818981.ece
6. Dr. Nazrull Islam
A former IPS officer from a small town in West Bengal, Dr. Nazrul Islam is a celebrated civil servant who has worked diligently to fight corrupt practices by ministers and other government officials. An award-winning Bengali writer, he has also promoted education in remote areas of the state by contributing the royalty he earns towards several charitable institutions. Apart from that he has founded various educational establishments. Though his efforts are laudable to the masses that have been benefitted, he has earned the wrath of most politicians because of his habit of being blunt in his opinions about them. He has not even spared the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee in his criticism.
Photo Credit
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mehdi-masroor-biswas-case-doesn-t-mean-radical-islam-has-caught-up-with-west-bengal/article1-1300988.aspx
7. Kiran Bedi
The first woman to ever become an IPS officer, Kiran Bedi is probably one of the most popular civil servants of India. While employed in the police forces, she facilitated several successful campaigns against exploitation of women and drug abuse. During her tenure at the Tihar Jail as the Inspector General, she initiated several beneficial practices for the prison inmates. Her efforts were revolutionary and modern, winning her the 1994 Ramon Magsaysay Award. As for tackling other crimes rampant in Delhi, she allowed witnesses to report antisocial activities, without disclosing their identities, and also dealt a heavy blow on illegal liquor trafficking.
Photo Credit
http://www.thevoiceofnation.com/politics/kiran-bedi-writes-open-emotional-letter-worth-reading/
8. D. K. Ravi
One of the most famous IAS officers of Karnataka, in modern times, D. K. Ravi gained fame after having taken to task those who had illegally impinged upon government-owned property, while on duty in the Kolar district. He also made a name for himself after conducting several successful tax raids at real estate establishments. By the end of 2014, Ravi had been able to collect more than 138-crores of tax from well-known firms. After receiving death threats for the next few months, he was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his Bangalore apartment early in 2015.
Photo Credit
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/cbi-probe-shows-ravi-ventured-into-real-estate-business-made-unsuccessful-start/
9. Shivdeep Waman Lande
This honest IPS officer resembles those ideal characters straight out of good cop movies. Having served as Superintendent of police in several areas of Bihar, including Patna, Araria, and Jamalpur, Lande earned recognition amongst the residents of each region, for his anti-mafia operations and ensuring the safety of women. Eve-teasers, adulterated medicine peddlers, and other major criminals in Bihar are kept in terror of this officer. He became so popular in Patna, that upon his transfer to another city, people organized a protest candle march.
Photo Credit
http://toppers.info4.in/2011/11/super-cop-shivdeep-waman-lande-ips.html
