Dr. Ajai Shankar Pandey has been cleaning his office himself for years now. He believes that cleanliness and sanitation are not a one-time campaign

A placard outside his office reads: “Is kamre ki safai swayam mere dwara ki jaati hai, kripya isey unavashyak roop se ganda kar mere kaam ke bojh ko na badaye. (This room is cleaned by me. Kindly do not add to my work load by making it dirty.)

Meet IAS officer Dr. Ajai Shankar Pandey. He has been cleaning his office himself for years now. He believes that cleanliness and sanitation are not a one-time campaign and when Agra’s sweepers went on a strike, did not mind picking up the broom.

As the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ gains momentum, Dr. Pandey, of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, reaches his office before duty hours daily and cleans the area himself.

Posted at present as Additional Divisional Commissioner in Meerut, Dr. Pandey says, “Cleanliness is a daily routine. Today, everyone is taking part in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. We must remember that cleanliness and sanitation should be a habit. It should be a daily ritual. People must keep the city clean.”

“In India, we have this notion that cleaning is the job of a particular person and that we have got nothing to do with it. In our family system, too, we see women of the family doing all the cleaning, while men in the house never even sweep dust. This impression must go,” says Dr. Pandey.

A graduate in Modern History from Allahabad University, Dr. Pandey says he has always been sensitive towards cleanliness. When he joined office as Sub-Divisional Magistrate at Etmadpur near Agra he got the responsibility of the entire city.

“It began way back in 1994 when as SDM in Etmadpur, the sweepers went on a strike. The residents of the city came up to me as the entire city was full of filth. The demands of the sweepers could not be met immediately. So, I told the residents that I would pick up the broom and that they should also help me. The following day, we went about the city cleaning it of not some sham filth but nearly ten-day old rotting garbage. The city was clean. Seeing this, the sweepers called off their strike,” he shares.

He has also served as Municipal Commissioner of Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur and Kanpur. In all his offices, he took up the task of cleaning the premises.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Cities> Delhi / by Akanksha Jain / New Delhi – October 04th, 2014

Mathura:

Woman power is riding high in the district. From wielding political power to holding administrative reins, women are, for the first time, manning the top political and administrative positions in the district.

While actor-turned-politician Hema Malini is at the helm as Mathura MLA, Maneesha Gupta is Nagar Palika chairman, B Chandrakala is district magistrate, Laxmi Singh is deputy inspector general (DIG) range and Manzil Saini is SSP. Adding more punch to that power list is Durga Shakti Nagpal, the IAS officer who made headlines for cracking down on illegal mining operations in Noida. Also, Preeti Priyadarshini, an IPS officer, recently joined as assistant superintendent (ASP).

Speaking to TOI, Hema Malini says, “This is a very good coincidence in Mathura and I am proud of it. I hope the lady officials continue to stay there for a long time, as a lot can be done collectively. We understand one another and feel the same about our responsibilities. Women are more serious about implementation of plans and ideas, and all of us share common perceptions. For two days, October 15 and 16, we are launching a cleanliness drive in Mathura and Vrindavan and all the women will take the lead.”

Nagpal feels women officials could serve as role models for other women. She said, “It’s a big responsibility since as role models we inspire women and children. The janata sees us and feels encouraged to support their daughters to study harder and reach higher levels. As officials, we women are proactive and positive, providing greater stability. We have to look after our homes, families and the people, so the warmth and affection obviously spreads.”

“We women officials keep meeting one another at various meetings. It’s a great feeling. We also interact with the MP, and discuss projects,” Nagpal says.

Nagar Palika chairman Maneesha Gupta says, “It’s a rare honour for the district. Women officials have an opportunity to show they are equal in all respects. We are capable and doing our best. We are more sensitive and respond to human feelings in a more positive manner.”

Senior activist-writer Ashok Bansal thinks there has been a qualitative change in style of governance and the corruption levels with women taking charge. On Rakshabandhan, Bansal recalls, district magistrate B Chandra Kala created a stir when she tied rakhies to journalists. Kala later also publicly touched a freedom fighter’s feet on Independence Day, “Problems persist, but generally it has been a welcome change,” Bansal says, adding that “dalaal politics is out, honesty is in” because of women officials. Social activist Uma Shankar Sharma concurs with Bansal on a positive change in governance.

District magistrate B Chandrakala says, “It’s just a coincidence, but as far as administrative governance is concerned, it is not important who is heading the department.” Public perception can of course be different, she said. However, Deepak Shastri, an NGO worker (name?), feels public perception matters as even symbolism is important in a democratic system.

Kamlesh Choudhary, a functionary of Mahila Morcha (the BJP’s women’s wing), says she is excited with the coincidence feels proud of the women officers. However, Sunil Sharma, a media person thinks it is too early to evaluate their performance.

Laxmi Gautam, an activist, says, “Women officials are undoubtedly more sensitive and efficient. They are good at solving problems.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Agra / TNN / September 25th, 2014