e's donned many an administrative hat, swears by yoga and loves languages. But Bharat Lal Meena's schedule has changed, thanks to his new posting as BBMP commissioner
Even as a college student, Bharat Lal Meena believed that `city
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e's donned many an administrative hat, swears by yoga and loves languages. But Bharat Lal Meena's schedule has changed, thanks to his new posting as BBMP commissioner
Even as a college student, Bharat Lal Meena believed that `city commissioners descended from above'. And now, he's actually there, right on the hot seat.
He loves being alone and is to the point both in public and private spaces. But his sudden, spontaneous humour can spring a surprise and elicit laughter. And there's more to this seemingly shy introvert than what meets the eye.
At 52, he swears by yoga and is a hardcore Federer fan. It's always been pure veg, less oil and salt for him. With his tall, lean frame with no sign of greying hair, it's quite impossible to guess his age until you meet his two college-going daughters -- Anju and Manju.
Born to a poor agricultural family in Sundary, a small village in Rajasthan's Sawai Mandhopur district, Meena was the second to graduate from his village. Civil service just happened by chance for this 1985 batch IAS officer.
"While doing an MA in political science, my seniors, who were working hard for it, inspired me. And whenever I would visit the collector's office, I would sub-consciously tell myself: I must occupy this place one day... be famous and wanted.''
Over the years, he's worked in various capacities and at many institutions that's also taken him to places across the country. He travelled all the way to UK to study rural development. And in between, he also turned author with `Life and Peace' which he wrote during his stay at Karwar in 1999. Inspired by his humble upbringing and armed with his UK experience, Meena went about starting an NGO called Apna Desh in Belgaum which takes up development work. "This is my way of giving back to society. There is so much to do in India,'' he says.
It was in 1989 that he came to Bangalore with his family. The city he then saw as serene has become quite the boom town thanks to rapid development and urbanization. But for him, "Bangalore is Bangalore. Never compare it to other cities like Singapore.''
MEENA THE PERSON
A strict disciplinarian at work and a doting, lenient father at home: it's a contrasting combo of interests and his innate nature that make him different. Although he's not god-fearing, he believes in a supernatural force in nature. He loves silence but enjoys the regular wildlife safari. "I am an atheist. I only believe there is something supernatural. That's about it''
Old music, films and film stars -- he rather enjoys those good-old times. "Dilip Kumar and Shabana Azmi are some of my favourite actors,'' he says. Ask him about current heroes and he quickly replies, "Aamir Khan''.
Despite his modern approach to problems, he still has a firm belief in traditional values. Much of it stems from memories of his childhood, watching his parents -- Sukhji Ram and Ratani Bai -- their struggles and sacrifices. His role models are his parents. Interestingly, his younger daughter Manju, who studies law, also aspires to become an IAS officer like him. Yet another interesting facet is his love for languages. Kannada was among the first few new languages he learnt. He has a collection of books in almost all languages now. "It's not that I know all these languages, but I sure plan to learn to read most of them,'' he says. Currently, he's also doing his diploma in French and spends his free time reading French literature. However, his new assignment as BBMP commissioner has kept him away from it in the last few days.
THE BEST JOB
He's been in many departments in the past -- the ones at KPTCL and Bescom being his longest stints. He was first posted as a clerk-cum-coin note examiner in 1980 at the RBI head office in Mumbai. He then moved on to various other areas including tourism, mass education, and ministry of steel. He has also been a housing commissioner, and was principal secretary of the social welfare department before he was given charge of the hot seat.
Ask him about his best posting and pat comes the reply: "All my jobs so far have been the best. I always believe it's not the post but the individual who should make a difference.''
FOND MEMORIES
"I come from a family that's doesn't have a very good educational background. And women hardly stepped out of homes. But today, times have changed. My daughters are doing what they want to. Even back home in the village, women and girls now get an education. Surely, times are changing for the good. Much of it needs a mental transformation. And children also learn values from their parents.''
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Role model/inspiration: parents, freedom fighters
Favorite food: dal baati (Rajasthani special)
Hobbies: learning languages, reading (mainly non-fiction)
Stressbuster: playing tennis and yoga
Favourite movies: Sholay, Munnabhai MBBS
Favourite place: Mainly nature. Loves wildlife safari
Field of specialization: Rural development, international affairs, social issues
A TYPICAL DAY IN HIS LIFE
He wakes up early, sometimes as early as 4.30 am to clear files. An hour-long tennis session follows, and 45-minutes of compulsory yoga. After a quick breakfast, he heads to work. Weekends are spent with family. But ever since he took over as BBMP commissioner, his schedule has changed. "Ab to, Sundays bhi bahar...'' as his wife Jagani puts it in a nutshell.
Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/A-man-of-action-and-passion/articleshow/4713426.cms