Real-Life Learning Experiences that Touched the Heart : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 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.