Arvinder Singh, IAS, in his first-ever freewheeling interview with The Pioneer speaks about his childhood, pursuing MBA, being an exception as the only IAS officer in the Excise Department. In a conversation with Naveena Ghanate, Arvinder shares insights into his work as secretary protocol, NRI affairs, and recounts occasions when he confronted goons, of course, following protocol.
Born Hyderabad
I was born and brought up in Hyderabad. My father Udham Singh retired as Additional SP in police service. I am a product of Little Flower School. All my education was here, except for the MBA, which I did in Pune University. My father, being in police service, was strict at home too, and I was not a naughty child either. I was a normal child, moderate in
everything. I have two elder brothers, who are twins, and one sister. They were my seniors in school. I was good at dramatics. I have taken part in fancy dress competitions. Most of my teachers were very fond of me, maybe that is why half of my marks I used to get because of their affection towards me (laughs). Once I was taking part in a fancy dress competition and my mother Surender Kaur came to check on me. She came to me and asked, “I am looking for Arvinder, where is he?” She couldn’t recognise me. That was the time I got first prize for fancy dress, which was for my get-up as a Marwadi Seth. I was active in sports — basketball and a bit of hockey.
Wanted to be a management expert
Post SSC, I took Economics and Commerce. I did Intermediate from Nrupatunga College. I wanted to get into management line. I did my bachelor’s in commerce from Badruka College. After commerce, I did MBA from Pune University. On the day of Civil Services examination, without telling my parents, I took a train and appeared for the MBA examination. I took up the course. I was a bit career-oriented kind. I got enrolled into typing also and passed lower typewriting examination. We were writing all competitive examinations, including civil services, railway recruitment board, bank – BPOs. I would never bother about results but just take exams. My father was very furious that I did not write Civils exam. I was restricted to hostel in Pune and had a disciplined life. I am a teetotaler.
Working for the Tatas
I was serious about getting into management, being on my own, and getting into corporate world. I got into a Tatas’ company through campus recruitment — five of us got through. My first salary was too less, Rs 1,800 and this was in the 1980s. I was in marketing side. Titan came and then an offer came for Gujarat and MP marketing. Meanwhile, Group1 results came. Results took 4 years to come. So, I was in two minds as it was not UPSC. Then I was told through Group1 also one could get IAS conferred. My father was very keen on getting me into government services. I wrote Group1 examination before going into MBA. The results fructified and I got into MBA. I went to Bombay. Before Group1 I qualified for bank POs, and a position in Coal India Limited, but I did not join.
Confronting tribals
In 1987, I joined government services. I was initially allotted to the Police Department. But my father told me that my temperament was not suited for it. I was selected for DSP but had to relinquish it. So, then I got into the Excise Department. This was also uniformed services. I was posted to Miryalguda and it was challenging. Most of the time you had to confront tribals. There have been occasions when we had to confront mobs of gangsters. In enforcement, when we used to raid in places like Dhoolpet, we used to be cornered and confronted. We came close to loading our guns, but fortunately I have never used one. In Miryalguda, when I was DSP (Excise) at Devarkonda a thanda, we went for a raid. Three of my team members were forcibly kidnapped by tribals. They said they would not leave them. Instead of going with force and risking retaliation, I went with one SI who was tribal. Then they were ready for negotiations. We had weapons but we cannot do anything against tribals. My staff told me not to go, but it was my decision that I cannot leave my men there and tell Collector that they were picked up. After all, with my father also being from police, we have seen him sleeping with a weapon under his pillow. So, such confrontations or inhibitions were not there. This is part of professional hazards and back home things are normal.
Lone IAS officer in Excise Department
In the history of the Excise Department, nobody has been conferred IAS till date, except me. When I had applied, many people told me, ‘Why are you applying? It is waste of time as nobody from excise ever got it’. We had a very good Commissioner B R Meena who pushed me to try. At that time, I was posted in Kakinada. For seven consecutive years my name was proposed from the department. I went to Delhi also for interviews. UPSC went purely by merit and rules. It was my good luck that I got through. I have enjoyed my uniformed service and IAS. Through my service, especially during postings in Adilabad, I was associated with social welfare projects like family planning, ayacut irrigation. The Excise Department does not do, but it was out of interest that Collectors used to assign it to me. It was that social outlook, orientation towards developmental activities that helped me rise in my career path. When I was in Karimnagar, I used to conduct a lot of family planning camps. I did it on a very large scale, often camps were of 1,000 plus people at a time. My friends were doctors from Gandhi and Osmania hospitals, and I used to visit these camps
Being the best
I was Director Aviation, Director Protocol and then Additional Secretary- Protocol in GAD. I was fixed into this. I am a ‘protocol man’. My father used to say: “Whatever you do, be the best, even if you are a shoemaker, if they think about a shoemaker, your name should pop up”. So, whenever I am given any task, I do it the best. My name has become synonymous with protocol. This is a difficult job. My superiors, be it any Chief Secretary, they have been very supportive. I take care of protocol relating to Governor, Chief Minister and Chief Secretary as well as any VVIPs like President, Prime Minster, Chief Justice of India or international dignitaries from state side. So far, no major lapse has happened. Protocol is a sensitive area and is details oriented. The CM is gracious and magnanimous person. He has got a lot of value system. He is very generous and caring and gives clear direction. Sometimes at very short notice, then there is also long notice. Nowadays visit comes in 2-3 days’ notice. Some days you need to slog out night. Length of preparatory time has shortened these days.
NRI affairs is favourite portfolio
I look after NRI affairs – be it Gulf, repatriation. During Covid times also and now for the Ukraine war. Recently, Manipur came overnight, and we had to arrange flights, coordinating with others. People back home are usually in the dark, even if the situation is not good. We should tell them that it is not as worse as they think. We need to give assurance that we
are working, things are working. We normally put a volunteer who talks to parents who are panicking. Ukraine was difficult as we did not have details of who was where. A lot of Telugu students were there, but we did not whether they were from AP or TS. We cannot say ‘no’ to any students. Covid was for all countries. Getting them quarantined and food accommodation, it was a challenge. We had a big problem with the Gulf. Sudan crisis also we are handling, but it is not big numbers. We also bring back the bodies of the deceased for families waiting.
Quick bytes
Happiest moment – My elder son was born & when I was conferred IAS
Sad moment – When I got IAS, my father wasn’t there to cherish
Fav food – Not a foodie, I prefer vegetarian. I carry my tiffin from home
Fav color – Pink
Holiday destination – Bali
Bad habit – I cannot keep cool all the time
Religious – I pray daily and I don’t take my breakfast without prayers
Movies – I watch off-beat movies like those of Adoor Gopalkarishan and Shyam Benegal
Fav actor – Aamir Khan
Fav actress – Madhubala
Fav sportsperson – Rahul Dravid
Quote that you use often – Be good at whatever you do
Song – Satinder Sartaaj songs, I like ghazals
