(Mohan Bhulani, NTI): The story of IAS Vinod Kumar Suman in Uttarakhand clarifies that we may overcome any objective in our life by relentless effort, dedication, and resolve. His story is a lighthouse of inspiration for people overcoming hardship and hoping to realize their dreams. His journey confirms that, with strong goals, no challenge can stray us from our path.
Rising from an impoverished agricultural family in Khanu village, Bhadohi district, Uttar Pradesh, Vinod Kumar Suman had a life of poverty and suffering. For the household, agriculture provided only one source of food. The family hardly made it to survive even with modest grain production. To provide for the family, Suman’s father had to add laboring as a carpenter to his farming job.
Vinod Kumar Suman attended the local government school for his basic instruction. His academic interests have to be balanced with helping his father. Having two sisters and five brothers, he carried the weight of family chores. Though he was determined not to give up on his studies, events hampered his educational activities and he performed academically poorly. After finishing his intermediate schooling, he faced significant financial obstacles in trying other courses. The family struggled greatly to even cover the most basic needs.
After clearing his intermediate tests, Suman left his parents and house driven by a great will to improve his family’s financial situation and realize his dreams. They only had the clothes they wore, nothing more. Fighting financial restrictions, he sought anonymity and ended up in Srinagar, Garhwal. Driven to clear a road there, he sought cover with a temple priest and made the courtyard his home. The next day he set out into the city looking for work.
Sulabh toilets were under building at the Srinagar market during this time. Following much entreaty with the contractor, he landed a laborer’s job paying Rs 25 every day. Retaking those difficult days, he describes spending nights under the temple verandah with just a sack and a bed sheet. During this period, his pay hardly would have been enough for survival.
Having worked for several months, he decided he wanted to go back to school and registered at Srinagar Garhwal university. He worked on a BA concentrating in history, statistics, and mathematics. His mathematical skills drove him to give night tutoring in the discipline. His financial condition progressively improved, allowing him to send some money back to his father after juggling tutoring at night with work during the day. Following first-class honors graduation in 1992, his father counseled him to go back to Allahabad for additional education. Following advice, Suman studied ancient history for an MA at Allahabad University. Then in 1995 he graduated with a diploma in public administration and started getting ready for administrative work.
After graduating, he first landed a government job in the Accountant General’s office. He kept getting ready even with this job; in 1997 he was chosen for the PCS in Uttar Pradesh. He never looked back after he entered the PCS. He was assigned to Uttarakhand after Uttar Pradesh split to create the state. Among other important positions he held here were SDM, ADM, City Magistrate, Cane Commissioner, Director of Social Welfare, and Secretary of the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority.
Rising to the IAS cadre in 2007, he held posts as District Magistrate of Almora, Chamoli, and Nainital districts following serving in several key roles in the state administration. His portfolio comprised General Administration, Urban Development, Protocol Department, Additional Secretary, Secretary in-charge of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Secretary of Secretariat Administration, Now he supervises the duties of the Disaster Management Department and the Finance Secretary.
