Real-Life Learning Experiences
that Touched the Heart
Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao
The
Hans India (June 14, 2026)
{Listening
to both was thoroughly enlightening and thought-provoking, combining lived
experience with insights of deep academic and practical value. These
recollections added a deeply human dimension to the discussion, proving that
policy decisions ultimately shape flesh-and-blood lives in ways statistics
cannot capture.} – Editor’s synoptic note
A
recent informal evening gathering of a few like-minded friends gradually
evolved into a significant milestone through conversations, reflections, and joint
learning. The evening featured two fascinating, deeply human narratives described
by two highly accomplished individuals: former civil servant Dr PV Ramesh and
Telugu language journalist Mallepally Laxmaiah. The gathering included
distinguished guests from diverse fields whose insights and contributions truly
catalysed the discussion chronicles.
Listening
to both chronicles was thoroughly enlightening and thought-provoking, combining
lived experience with insights of deep academic and practical value.
Dr
PV Ramesh captivated the audience through the sheer breadth of his experience
and the candour of his reflections. A physician by education and an
international development professional by practice, his remarkable journey
spans nearly four decades across diverse domains, including public policy,
public health, financial management, governance reform, organisational
strategy, and sustainable development. Much of his service was dedicated to
tribal regions, and participants listened with keen interest as he recalled
being the first Sub-Collector of both Utnoor and Mulugu (Telangana) after they
were constituted as separate sub-divisions.
These
foundational assignments offered him a unique opportunity to engage closely
with tribal communities and shape grassroots governance.
While
much of the early conversation revolved around these administrative milestones,
the focus seamlessly shifted to Mallepally Laxmaiah. A prominent Telugu
journalist, public intellectual, and central figure in the Telangana Statehood
movement, he captivated the table by sharing his own enthralling personal
experiences rooted in grassroots advocacy for marginalized communities.
Among
the many experiences Dr PV Ramesh shared, the most compelling was a deeply
moving, real-life lesson for the next generation of civil servants. This
defining moment occurred during his tenure as the historic first Sub-Collector
of Mulugu, immediately after its transition into a sub-division. Serving in
this role marks an IAS officer's critical first independent test, granting them
vital Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) powers to impact lives directly.
In
this capacity, SDMs wield the authority to conduct magisterial inquests into
suspicious deaths or custodial casualties. This specific incident from the very
dawn of his administrative career held the gathering spellbound, rising
completely above the ambient noise at the table. Ultimately, it was his
delivery, marked by immense clarity, humour, and an extraordinary eye for
detail, that brought the episode alive. The story itself dates back to his very
first day as a 25-year-old Sub-Collector in the newly created Mulugu
sub-division, fresh to the realities of public service.
Quite
ironically the first day happened to be a Sunday. Having just arrived with
little knowledge of the locality, he lacked both official accommodation and a
clear idea of where the newly established office was located. Faced with
limited options, he arranged a temporary stay in the zinc-roofed residence of a
local electrical engineer. After a long journey and the initial formalities, he
looked forward to some much-needed rest. However, fate had entirely different
plans him.
No
sooner had he settled down than a knock disrupted his rest. On opening the
door, he found an urgent police constable requesting that he immediately
accompany him to meet the District Superintendent of Police. Assuming it was a
routine courtesy call nearby, Dr Ramesh readily agreed and stepped into the
waiting vehicle. However, as the journey began and the vehicle continued to
move farther and farther past the town limits, his curiosity quickly gave way
to deep concern.
Driven
by this concern, he repeatedly asked the accompanying personnel where they were
headed. The response remained unchanged: ‘Nearby... nearby... almost there...
reached, reached.’ As the journey progressed, daylight began to fade, and the
surroundings gradually transformed into unfamiliar, increasingly isolated
forest terrain. By the time they finally arrived at the destination, darkness
had almost set in. There, he was received by the district’s top police officer,
who appeared visibly relieved at his arrival.
Surrounded
by a sizeable police contingent, the SP greeted him warmly and uttered words he
remembers to this day: ‘Welcome, Ramesh. You are the only available Magistrate
now.’
Until
that moment, he had no idea why he had been brought there. The purpose soon
became clear, that, he was required to conduct an inquest on a dead body,
details withheld until then. Drawing upon his recent probationary legal
training, Dr Ramesh politely declined, pointing out that he had been
specifically instructed never to conduct an inquest after sunset.
Despite
his refusal, the officer persisted, requesting that he at least view the body.
Eventually, he agreed to take a look, which led to an unexpected trek through
paddy fields and difficult terrain in near darkness. As fatigue set in over the
considerable distance, those accompanying him literally supported him by his
shoulders so that journey could continue. What happened once they finally
reached the site, as Dr Ramesh himself observed with characteristic restraint,
is a completely different story.
By
ensuring his presence at the site, the police achieved their immediate
objective, and the necessary legal formalities were eventually completed the
following day. The return journey proved no less memorable. He again required
physical assistance across portions of the difficult terrain before reaching
the waiting vehicle. By the time he finally returned to Mulugu, it was around
three o’clock in the morning. Yet, sleep had barely begun when another knock
once again disturbed the silence.
Opening
the door, he was astonished to find a DIG rank police officer, ranking above
the district chief, waiting to invite him to breakfast as a gesture of
gratitude for his timely assistance. Barely six weeks later, Dr Ramesh would be
transferred as the first Sub-Collector of the newly created Utnoor sub-division
following the Allampally encounter and the declaration of Adilabad as a ‘Model
District.’ What began as an unexpected Sunday adventure thus became one of his
earliest and most unforgettable lessons in the inherent unpredictability of
public service.
Adding
a touch of humour to this unforgettable lesson, Dr Ramesh revealed that a few
days later, just before his transfer from Mulugu, he discovered that the
destination to which he had been painstakingly led through fields and difficult
terrain was not the four kilometres he was trickily made to believe, but less
than a quarter of a kilometre away.
This
disclosure evoked considerable amusement from the get-together, perfectly
capturing the gentility of a young officer encountering the strategic realities
of field administration for the very first time.
A
particularly moving turn in the get-together was, when Mallepally Lakshmaiah
recalled an episode that connected public policy with personal experience.
Following
Dr Ramesh’s riveting administrative account, the narrative transitioned
seamlessly to Mallepally Laxmaiah, who remembered, how during Dr PV Ramesh’s
tenure as Principal Secretary, Finance, he, along with another representative,
had approached the Government seeking enhancement of the remuneration paid to Grama
Sevakas, locally known in some areas as Neeradis or Sunkaris.
Mallepally’s life work bridges grassroots activism with high-level public
policy.
Lakshmaiah
revealed that, Dr Ramesh processed the proposal, resulting in the monthly
remuneration being doubled from Rs 3000 to Rs 6000. Recalling this decision in
Dr Ramesh’s presence, Lakshmaiah became visibly reflective as he spoke about
his father, whom he affectionately referred to as Ayya. His father had
served as a Sunkari, following a hereditary family occupation, and had
passed away nearly five decades ago. Though the remuneration in those days was
a mere Rs 5 per month, he continued in the role with dedication, sustained by a
sense of duty and tradition!!!
These
recollections added a deeply human dimension to the discussion, proving that
policy decisions ultimately shape flesh-and-blood lives in ways statistics
cannot capture. They beautifully closed the loop of the evening, leaving the
gathering with a profound reminder that true governance is measured not by the
cold numbers in administrative files, but by its enduring impact on grassroots
society. Thank you both.
