Inspections conducted by senior administrative officials usually bring to mind stern review meetings, file scrutiny, and formal procedures. Members of the general public also tend to approach senior bureaucrats with hesitation, carrying grievances, complaints, or pension petitions. However, an encounter in the Purnia district of Bihar offered a warm contrast to standard bureaucratic protocol. When Purnia District Magistrate Anshul Kumar visited a local old age home to check on the facilities, an elderly resident skipped any discussion of administrative grievances and innocently asked him to treat her to chaat and puchka.
An Affectionate Moment During a Surprise Inspection
District Magistrate Anshul Kumar arrived at the old age home for a surprise visit to assess the living conditions and check on the well-being of the elderly residents. While administrative visits of this nature frequently focus solely on examining official records and institutional upkeep, the officer chose to sit alongside the residents and engage in direct, personal conversation with them to hear about their daily lives.
During their exchange, an elderly woman spoke up with genuine affection and asked when he was going to treat her to chaat and puchka. Hearing a demand for street snacks rather than a grievance about official schemes or entitlements brought smiles to everyone present, including the District Magistrate himself. Responding immediately to her innocent request, Anshul Kumar assured her that he would treat her right away on that very day. The moment, which was shared on social media, quickly drew wide appreciation for its warmth.
The Journey from a Labour Department Official's Son to the IAS
Known for his grounded approach to administration, Anshul Kumar hails from Uttar Pradesh. His father worked in the Labour Department in Ghaziabad, and fulfilling his father's dream became his main driving force to pursue the civil services. For his higher education, he attended the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) in Prayagraj, where he earned a BTech degree before dedicating himself to competitive examinations.
His efforts bore fruit in 2014 when he cleared the SSC examination and was appointed as an Excise Inspector. However, his ultimate ambition remained the civil services. In the 2015 UPSC Civil Services Examination, he secured an All India Rank of 293 and joined the 2016 batch as an IAS officer of the Bihar cadre. Demonstrating his academic capability that same year, he also cleared the Indian Forest Service examination, securing the 97th rank.
Empathy in Governance and Building Public Trust
When high-ranking public servants step out into the field and communicate openly with ordinary citizens, the traditional distance between the administration and the public begins to dissolve. The interaction at the Purnia old age home highlights that administrative duty goes far beyond managing paperwork and official protocols; it fundamentally relies on empathy. When an officer engages with people in their own language and participates in their everyday joys and sorrows, public trust in the system is strengthened.
For aspirants preparing for the UPSC and other competitive examinations, this incident offers a meaningful takeaway. While mastering academic syllabus and earning technical degrees are crucial milestones, maintaining humility and emotional connection with society remain essential qualities for public service. True leadership lies in remaining accessible and compassionate, a standard demonstrated during the officer's time with the residents.
