In conversation with IAS officer Kiran Soni Gupta -Governance Now

In conversation with IAS officer Kiran Soni Gupta

Geetanjali Minhas | January 5, 2016

#kiran soni gupta #ias kiran soni gupta

A 1985 batch IAS officer, Kiran Soni Gupta is also an artist, writer and photographer. Selected by Harvard University for the prestigious Mason fellowship to study public policy, governance and public administration at the Kennedy School of Government, she was also awarded a scholarship for a masters in public policy at the Maxwell School Syracuse. Winner of many national awards, she has been recognised by the National Productivity Council and NABARD for her administrative and development initiatives. Besides holding 37 solo shows and 75 group exhibitions she has been a part of 15 art residencies.Her paintings have been exhibited at Le Louvre museum and Carrousel de Louvre, Paris. Her articles have appeared in leading newspapers. At present Gupta is additional secretary and financial advisor in the ministry of sports and youth affairs and the ministry of skill development.

Administration, painting, writing, photography… – what I enjoy most is: My official work because it’s very challenging. Our decisions impact a large number of people. Humanisation of administration is also its greatest challenge. Painting is my passion, it’s part of my life. But it has always come after my work as an officer. Administration inspires me and provides me with themes for painting. Painting is ‘feeling’ for me. Unless I am deeply touched by something I will not be able to paint. My writings also are more on issues I confront and deal with in my work. Empathy and keen observation are a commonality between art and administration.

I manage to multitask by: Being organised and managing time.

I start my day with: Many cups of tea, reading newspapers and getting on with my files.

Painting to me is: Visual meditation, a moment seized.

My favourite painting is: My copy of a painting by the great artist Thakur Singh from Amritsar.

Art means: Science and philosophy of life. Art must become part of life. It is de-stressing and meditation to me. It is an expression of soul and freezes time. You can judge a nation by the art it has produced.

Memorable moments of my life: Watching my sister paint, I commenced my own art journey. Encouraged by my father I started painting for him till I had my own body of work.

The strongest influence on me is: My father.

My inspiration comes from: The environment.

My desire is: To transform India with the smart city concept and make it the cultural capital of the world.

The best decision of my life: To appear for the public service exams.

My favourite holiday destination: Hawaii.

My weakness: I am moody.

My strength: Perseverance.

I de-stress by: Reading, writing, painting, music, travelling, my thought process.

Good governance to me means: Not just going hi-tech but also making the administration humane and more user-friendly so that people can manoeuvre their lives easily.

These days I am busy with: Settling in my new posting. I am also working on an art book which is an updated compilation of my paintings.

I want to be remembered as: An icon like MS Randhawa, a bureaucrat and a cultural icon.

(As told to Geetanjali Minhas)

Comments

Other News

Cabinet approves museum at North-South Block complex

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday has approved the development of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum (YYBM) at the North and South Block Complex, New Delhi, at an estimated total project cost of ₹3,230 crore, as appraised by the Public Investmen

Cabinet approves extension of Noida metro corridor

The Union Cabinet, chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, has approved the extension of Aqua Line Metro Rail Corridor from Noida Sector-51 to Greater Noida Sector-04 of Noida Metro Rail Project with corridor for a length of 8.449 km with 5 elevated stations. On operationalization of this corridor, Noid

India reaffirms commitment to climate multilateralism

India has reaffirmed its commitment to climate multilateralism and the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), calling for a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framewo

How the mind can help the body heal itself

Why do some people recover from illness against all odds? Can our beliefs, emotions and consciousness influence the body’s ability to heal? Drawing on over three decades of experience in medicine, research and medical innovation, internationally trained ophthalmologist and author Dr Dinesh Verma ex

1,364 anti-cancer formulations to cost less from today

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has capped trade margins on the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of 137 anti-cancer drugs. This was based on the recommendations of an Expert Committee constitute

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through