D. Mishra, 1984 batch IPS officer was born on 5th May, 1958, in middle class family of Devadhar village from Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh. He did his schooling from his village school and for his graduation he went to Deoria, UP. He also did his post-graduation in English Literature from Allahabad. He has a vast career in various postings at various places in Maharashtra and Delhi. He did a magnificent job in 1991, Simhastha Kumbh Mela, Nasik and 1993 Latur-Osmanabad earthquake. For his service he also got Police Medal (2000) and President Medal (2008). Currently he is posted as DGP, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, M.S.P.H. & W. C. Ltd.
In an exclusive interview with India Unbound he shared his childhood days in UP and his achievements from his career span of 32 years. He also spoke about the current and upcoming projects of Maharashtra State Police Housing and Welfare Corp. Ltd.
Could you share your childhood days and education details with our readers?
I was born on 5th May, 1958, in middle class family of Devadhar village from Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh. I did my schooling in my village school and for my graduation I went to Deoria. After that I went to Allahabad and did post-graduation in English Literature.
You always wanted to become an IPS?
No. As I am from rural background, I was trying for civil services, like any good service in government. In first attempt I was selected for Indian Postal Service then in probationary training I was selected for India Police Service (IPS).
Please elaborate your achievements throughout your career so far.
I did my training in Solapur under Mr. K. K. Kashyap who was SP then. Then I went to Shrirampur as Assistant SP. Later I was posted in Naxal area of Gadchiroli and then in Amravati as Assistant SP. Then I came back in Nasik as Additional SP and then ACP. It was a period when Simhastha Kumbh Mela (1991) was organized in Nasik. It was well arranged and went peacefully. Then I was posted in Latur and then in Osmanabad as SP. In my tenure at Osmanabad, famous Latur-Osmanabad earthquake happened. It was new for us and we were not trained that time for such natural calamity but we did whatever we could do for people there. Our relief and rescue work was appreciated that time. Also in my tenure the Marathwada University was renamed as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. It was very serious challenge for us because the society was divided in cast basis and there were community tension. But we could handle it very successfully as there was no casualty and serious offence. So I consider it as my achievement.
Then for the short period I was posted at Nagpur as DCP. Then I went to Government of India for Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. After working in Delhi for some time I came to Mumbai as Additional Deputy Commissioner Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. That was the period where I learned lots of things about security, did training in foreign also. Then I came back to Maharashtra Cadre as SP, Aurangabad Rural. There I was promoted as DIG and then became CP, Aurangabad. That time Hindu-Muslim riots were happening due to 6th or 7th annual day of demolition of Babari Masjid. But due to community policing my tenure was successful there. Also I was awarded with Indian police Medal in 2000 during my Aurangabad tenure. Then I was posted as CP, Solapur, and then I was promoted to IG, ANO (Anti Naxal Ooperations). Later I was Joint Commissioner of Nagpur. After that I was posted at Amravati Range as IG. Amravati is very community sensitive range, but my tenure went very well because no serious problem occurred due to the efforts of police. Then I was posted in State CID, Pune for one year. When there was Parliament election in 2009, I was posted as Commissioner of Nasik by the election commission. Elections went very peacefully. Then due to some political misunderstanding I got transfer to some place but for this transfer, citizens of Nasik started agitation. Including riots from small workers up to executives of famous companies to doctors were part of it for consecutive 3 days and then my transfer got cancelled and I continued as CP, Nasik for more than 2 years. After Nasik I got my promotion and was transferred as ADG in ANO, Nagpur. Then I came back to Mumbai as ADG of PCR M.S., Mumbai for three years. There after I was posted as ADG of Establishment in DG office. And now I am posted as DGP, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, M.S.P.H. & W. C. Ltd.
In many of your posting your tenure was very less, like for 4-5 months what was the reason behind this?
I don’t know why this happened to me and I didn’t ask for it. I did whatever I was told to do and took the charge of whichever posting I was offered. The reason could be political pressure or any other. I am non-controversial, non-political and people’s friendly officer. My doors are open for public any time, I have not visitor time.
Share us about the most challenging assignments of your career.
There are many but still I consider that my posting as ASP, Nasik in 1991 is most challenging because of Simhastha Kumbh Mela. It was one of the best organized Kumbh Mela. Without any casualty, Kumbh Mela went peacefully. And our CP that time Mr. K. K. Kashyap worked hard to make event successfully.
Please brief us about Maharashtra State Police Housing and Welfare Corp LTD and your role as DGP here.
Maharashtra State Police Housing and Welfare Corp started in 1974 but mostly the constructions were through PWD, and we were working as just coordinator. Our real work started in 1994 but we got actual momentum in 2008-09. Now we are constructing new buildings and residential places. With the support of current Government and CM we have started so many plans, like PPP (People Private Participation) project plus developing land and other major work is going on now.
What are current and upcoming plans for Maharashtra State Police Housing?
At present we are in the final stage for almost 14 thousand Police Quarters and more than 34 thousands Quarters are in planning stage. Our CM said that Police residency is very important aspect because everybody knows that in what conditions police are living. We want to build 1 lakh quarters for police but there is very long process for it.
What are your future aspirations for Maharashtra State Police Housing and Welfare Corp ltd?
I think the future of MSPH and WC is very positive as we have got the momentum. And I am very confident that we will go very fast.
Do you think there is lack of Police manpower in MSPH and WC?
No. I want this Police Housing Corporation to be lean and thin where our work can take fast speed. Retired people are experienced, so we hire them on contract basis depending on the projects due to their experience.
After 26/11, how much our cops are equipped with modern technology and weapons to tackle with terrorism?
Now police in state are very well equipped with modern weapons and technology and also they are trained. We have our own force, Force 1 which is a specialized counter terrorism.
What are the major challenges you are facing as DGP, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, M.S.P.H. & W. C. Ltd.?
The main challenge in M.S.P.H. and W.C. is money aspect. It requires a lot of money in construction work so we are planning how to overcome it.
Have you ever experienced any political pressure in your work?
Sometimes there is political pressure but it depends on how you handle it. I have not faced any political pressure till date.
What are your expectations from chief minister of Maharashtra Mr. Devendra Fadanvis for State Police Welfare?
He is very much positive about the development of this corporation and he think that the Police residency is his priority. Yesterday we had a meeting and we are very much positive and hopeful that we will able to do a lot of work in this regard with the support of Hon. CM.
The image of Police in public is corrupted and biased, how it can be changed? What is your view on it?
Police cannot be separated from society. Anti-Corruption Bureau and DGP of Maharashtra is taking steps to make police more transparent, responsible and sensitive towards the demand of service, and common citizen.
Who is your role model in Police Service?
My mentor, Mr. K. K. Kashyap and Late. Suryakant Jog and are my role models.
In what manner do you want to inspire your followers and well-wishers?
I believe in Team work. I try to motivate my colleagues through my work.
How you spend your leisure time, if at all you get some?
I used to listen music. I do meditation and yoga. Also I have habit of reading a lot of intellectual and spiritual books.
What suggestions, advise you would like to give to new students who aspire to become IPS or IAS?
In my opinion hard work and sincerity are keys to success. Many students are now willing to join the civil services so the competition is tough now. Students should be committed to their aim.
What message you would like to give to your department?
Help the common people in every possible way.
What message you would like to spread through India Unbound to the citizens?
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