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NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh on thursday hosted a warm and informal luncheon for Delhi based J&K cadre AGMUT officers from All India Services officers (IAS, IPS, IFoS) belonging to the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir Cadre, now merged into the AGMUT cadre, at his New Delhi official residence
The gathering saw officers from diverse batches and services reminiscing about their days of service in J&K and appreciating the opportunity to reconnect. The event, infused with nostalgia and professional bonding, carried forward a long-standing tradition initiated by Dr. JitendraSingh – of hosting such interactions to foster unity and trust among officers beyond the confines of formal duty.
Many officers recalled how such informal interactions were regularly held in Jammu & Kashmir under Dr. Jitendra Singh’s initiative, allowing colleagues to bond beyond office spaces. “Knowing each other personally makes it easier to collaborate professionally. Trust is key in governance,” remarked one officer present.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, in his address, reflected on the careers of several officers – from their first postings in J&K to their rise through the ranks into senior leadership roles. He recalled a pioneering initiative started soon after the Modi Government assumed office in 2014 – where senior officers were asked to revisit their first posting districts to assess developmental progress over the years and file reports. “It brought a sense of continuity and personal connection to public service,” he said.
Highlighting Jammu & Kashmir’s continued importance in national priorities, Dr. Singh mentioned recent milestone projects like the Chenab Bridge, the Lithium discovery, and the Purple Revolution of lavender farming that is empowering youth entrepreneurs in the region. “J&K will emerge as a key growth engine in India’s journey from the 4th largest to the 1st largest global economy,” he affirmed.
He also recalled the turbulent times of peak militancy in the 1990s and early 2000s, acknowledging the courage of officers who served in extremely challenging circumstances as young SPs and DCs.
During the interaction, officers openly shared experiences, feedback, and concerns. Dr. Singh gave a patient hearing, offering insights and guidance, while assuring continued attention to regional issues. “Leadership is most effective when it listens – and when it remains accessible,” he stated.
The Minister encouraged officers to break rigid hierarchies, sharing that he maintains personal contact with many officers and often reaches out directly. “It saves time and gets the job done faster – especially when the outcome affects people’s welfare,” he noted.
Several officers appreciated Dr. Singh’s consistent personal engagement, both in the past and now in Delhi, calling it a “humane touch to administration” that motivates them to go the extra mile in delivering citizen-centric governance.
From the IAS, senior-most officer Navin Kumar Choudhary (1994 batch) was present, followed by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi (1997), Hirdesh Kumar (1999), and Sarita Chauhan (1999). Also present were Ajeet Kumar Sahu (2003), Pandurang Kondbarao Pole (2004), Simrandeep Singh (2008), Sushma Chauhan (2009), Shah Faesal (2010), and Sheikh Arshad Ayub (2013). Officers from DANICS/Secretariat Services included Preetpal Singh (2000), Naveen Kumar Shah (2000), and Rushal Garg (2018).
From the IPS, attendees included Pankaj Saxena (1992), Rajesh Kumar (1995), Mukesh Singh (1996), Danesh Rana (1997), Viplav Kumar Choudhary (1997), and Vijay Kumar (1997). Also part of the interaction were Abdul Ghani Mir, Shri S.P. Pani (2000), Keshav Ram Chourasia (2003), Atul Kumar (2004), Amit Kumar (2006), Abdul Jabbar (2008), Ambarkar Shriram (2011), Sandeep Choudhary (2012), and Chandan Kohli (2013). Officers Sandeep Gupta and Sheikh Arshad Ayub also joined the interaction, contributing to the vibrant exchange of ideas and memories.
