New Delhi (04.07.2025): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh hosted an informal luncheon for Delhi-based J&K AGMUT cadre officers from All India Services officers (IAS, IPS, IFoS) belonging to the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir Cadre, now merged into the AGMUT cadre, at his New Delhi official residence.
The gathering saw officers from diverse batches and services reminiscing about their days of service in J&K and appreciating the opportunity to reconnect. The event, infused with nostalgia and professional bonding, carried forward a long-standing tradition initiated by Dr Jitendra Singh — of hosting such interactions to foster unity and trust among officers beyond the confines of formal duty.
Many officers recalled how such informal interactions were regularly held in Jammu & Kashmir under Dr Jitendra Singh’s initiative, allowing colleagues to bond beyond office spaces. “Knowing each other personally makes it easier to collaborate professionally. Trust is key in governance,” remarked one officer present.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, in his address, reflected on the careers of several officers — from their first postings in J&K to their rise through the ranks into senior leadership roles. He recalled a pioneering initiative started soon after the Modi Government assumed office in 2014 — where senior officers were asked to revisit their first posting districts to assess developmental progress over the years and file reports. “It brought a sense of continuity and personal connection to public service,” he said.
From the IAS, senior-most officer Navin Kumar Choudhary (1994 batch) was present, followed by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi (1997), Hirdesh Kumar (1999), and Sarita Chauhan (1999). Also present were Ajeet Kumar Sahu (2003), Pandurang Kondbarao Pole (2004), Simrandeep Singh (2008), Sushma Chauhan (2009), Shah Faesal (2010), and Sheikh Arshad Ayub (2013). Officers from DANICS/Secretariat Services included Preetpal Singh (2000), Naveen Kumar Shah (2000), and Rushal Garg (2018).
From the IPS, attendees included Pankaj Saxena (1992), Rajesh Kumar (1995), Mukesh Singh (1996), Danesh Rana (1997), Viplav Kumar Choudhary (1997), and Vijay Kumar (1997). Also part of the interaction were Abdul Ghani Mir, S.P. Pani (2000), Keshav Ram Chourasia (2003), Atul Kumar (2004), Amit Kumar (2006), Abdul Jabbar (2008), Ambarkar Shriram (2011), Sandeep Choudhary (2012), and Chandan Kohli (2013). Sandeep Gupta and Sheikh Arshad Ayub also joined the interaction, contributing to the vibrant exchange of ideas and memories.
