Shri G.S.Mishra - A Role Model

Mr. G. S. Mishra has rare distinction of being synonymous with successful execution and has, in turn, become a symbol of success with frictionless follow ups. The man at work, in the politico–bureaucratic circles of the state is defined along the three axis of devotion, dedication and determination with added dimension of his spirit and skill to enjoy support of every section of the society. His commitment to benefit the last of the downtrodden lot makes him enviable and admirable alike at precise synchronicity. It is widely acknowledged that the fourth dimension contributes significantly in shaping the image of the relentless crusader always at war with various obnoxious and deep–rooted representations of evil.

Crusade Against - CHILD MARRIAGE

Mr. Mishra’s crusade against child marriage is a landmark in the history of success of the man at work. He employed a two–fold strategy in his battle against this social evil of unknown antiquity. On one hand, he took into confidence the representatives of various sections of the society, and, on the other hand, he issued strict instructions to his subordinates working at village level to handle the issue with iron grip. The Pandit who used to emcee child marriages, were instructed to keep away from the ignoble ceremony. They were also delivered the letter to be prepared for the otherwise in the circumstance of negligence of the order . The simultaneous application of persuasion and administrative firmness proved to be a boon. No less than 90000 boys and girls, at their adolescence, were issued certificate mentioning the day on which date they will be eligible for the legally valid nuptial conjugation. The result amounts to nothing but surprise. As a result of Mr. Mishra’s effort no less than 510 child marriages were successfully checked. On Akshay Triteeya, the day, taken to be auspicious for solemnization of child marriages since time immemorial, no such ceremony could take place it is event of for–reaching social significance. The success in eliminating malpractice with untraceable origin, confirms Mr.Mishra’s faith on power of persuasion, negotiation and argumentation. History acquaints us with the fact that a social reform of any order is brought about by means of gentle argumentation and incessant persuasion. Mr.Mishra employed the same weapon to defeat the evil.Today, Rajnandgaon proudly claims the elimination of the virus and the pride is the result of Mr. Mishra’s dedication and commitment. His prolific writings resulted into a new Renaissance and reawakened the spirit of the people against the malpractice. It was inevitable that magazines and news papers with nation wide readership beyond the country,like IndiaToday, Out Look, Lokayat, The Times Of India, Indian Express, Hitavada celebrated Mr.Mishra’s success with optimum coverage and favorable appreciation .

KANYADAN YOJNA

It is a natural extension of elimination of child marriage. Under this scheme of State Government, the marriage of 323 adult couples of different religion and casts was solemnized as per their rituals on 27/04/05 under the graceful sponsorship of District Administration spearheaded by Mr. Mishra . It is noteworthy that each couple was given a D.D. worth Rs. 1000/- and commodities worth Rs. 4000/-. There were Hindus, Muslims, Bauddhas, Schedule cast and Schedule tribes and the couples of other backward casts under one roof. There were reverberations of voices of different faiths and all were fused into one hymn. It was a real picture of India .The country known for unity and spiritual integrity. The event elucidates Mr. Mishra’s spirit and skill to motivate the common man. The Govt. allotted a meager amount worth Rs. 8 lacs whereas the expenditure went past Rs. 35 lacs. The amount that exceeded the allotted fund was managed with the help of voluntary organizations and popular support. Rajnandgaon is the first district to implement the scheme. It will be remembered in the history for the implementation that has no precedence. The success of the project established Mr. Mishra as a man of common man. The scheme proved to be a great bless for the people enduring deprivation and poverty.

KISHORI BALIKA SAMOOH

Mr. Mishra organized the maidens aging from 13 to 17 years who were rescued from the strangulating grip of child marriage. They were joined by other girls of the same age group and the membership zoomed up to 17750 in 1325 groups. Mr. Mishra channelized their energy to culminate the spirit of reawakening and inspired them to raise voice against child marriage.

DONGARGARH FAIR - An Administrative Marvel

In the fair of Dongargarh about a million devotees congregate to offer prayers to Ma Bambleshwari. The arrangements, under the supervision of Shri G. S. Mishra became an imitable model as no casualty or accident, despite the huge gathering was recorded. It is something unprecedented. The transportation of Rajnandgaon was taken special care of : temporary speed breaker were installed ; Overloading was strictly checked and the offenders were punished, as a result no road accident took place and no casualty was recorded . Again , it is something that has no precedence in the history of the fair. There were pandals for pedestrians with beddings, medical facilities and telephone numbers of various departments of District Administration on every road to Dongargarh. The government machinery remained active and operative for nine days in these pandals to attend the pilgrims .The success of Mr.Mishra’s owes as much to his command on his subordinate as to his power of mobilizing voluntary organization and public participation for the accomplishment of the task. The arrangement of Mr. Mishra earned renown as RAJNANDGAON PATTERN. All Collectors and Superintendence of police of the State were directed to adopt the Rajnandgaon pattern in administering fair in their respective territory. It is remarkable that no fund was allotted by the government and the expenditure was managed with the help of voluntary organizations and popular support. It may sound hyperbolic to a distant listener that the arrangement under the supervision of Mr. Mishra invited a close comparison with those in pilgrimage to Amarnath and Vaishno Devi. After six months of Kwanr Navratri fair, in Chaitra Navratri, the fable of success was retold.

Mr. G.S.Mishra - THE SAVIOUR

The demolition of Babri Mosque on 6 th December 1992, brought about chaos, disorder and bloodshed. The situation was worst in Bhopal. The continuance of curfew for 20 days developed a situation close to famine. Mr. Mishra was Regional Manager, Nagrik Apoorti Nigam at Bhopal. He was made officer–in–charge of the supply of essential commodities in the areas adversely affected by the curfew. He personified courage when he tore apart the frenzied mob to work against the famine shaped and sized by communal hatred. There were impatient spears; there were sword with thirst for blood, there were guns and rifles vomiting fire and splashing blood. But, in a melodramatic situation like this, Mr. Mishra imparted courage to his subordinates and inspired them to proceed. Intuitive apprehensions that pervaded the milieu, accounted for tearful valediction to subordinates by their family members when they were leaving for the distribution of essential commodities. Mr. Mishra sought help of print and electronic media to plan the supply of essential commodities. Even the elite joined the queue and thanked the saviour. The daring act of Mr. Mishra saved thousands from starving to death. The fact was acknowledged and appreciated by higher authorities.

ANTI ENCROACHMENT DRIVES

Mr. Mishra launched a movement against the encroachment in Kavardha, where he glorified the post of S.D.O. He conserved the dignity and glory of Jay Stambh, a monument of great Historical Magnificence and Shankaracharya Ka Chabootra, a monument of religious importance. The removal of the illegal occupation around these monuments benefited Municipality Kavardha, Rajnandgaon District in 1986-87 with a piece of land worth Rs.20 millions. He relied on the peaceful negotiations, and shifted the occupants (the local merchants) to a new place and laid foundation of Navin Bazaar. The most daring of all his deeds was witnessed in Bhanpuri and Siltara Industrial area when he was Managing Director of Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam in 1996 in Raipur. He got a land of the Green Belt measuring 8 lac sq. ft. freed from encroachment. His success becomes more than phenomenal when we come to know that the encroachment dates back to early seventies. There were threats and attacks on his life but the crusader went on marching with undiminished will and vigour. He performed miracles again in Rajnandgaon when he got rid of the encroachment around Subhash Gate (constructed in 1911). It was a sensitive issue. Mr. Mishra carried out successful talks with the authorities of Gayatri Samaj and the Havankund situated in the center of the road was shifted. The whole operation was performed without grievances from the majority. He brought tremendous fame to the post of CEO at RDA, in Raipur when he got a constructed site with commercial and residential complexes sprawling over an area measuring 16 acre recovered. RDA purchase the peace of land about quarter a century back but old land lord retained ownership on papers until Mr Mishra took the charge. There were influences of land mafias but Mr.Mishra, through 19 different cases, succeeded in getting the site worth millions, registered in favour of RDA.

GOKUL GRAM YOJNA

The implementation of Gokul Nagar Yojana which came into existence on 15/10/04 is a wonderful elucidation of Mr. Mishra’s promptitude as an administrator. The cattle strewn across the whole town created a mess on the road with dung and stink and violated the parameters of civic life. This project with infrastructure worth Rs. 70 lacs was completed within a short period of 8 months. More than 1000 cattle with their 106 master were shifted to Gokul Nagar. The Hon’ble Chief Minister instructed the administration of other districts to adopt him as a role model. It is noticeable that the masters of the cattle had old establishment and were reluctant for the change , but as a result of Mr Mishra’s persuasion, they respect the proposal of the Government and accepted the change of place.

FAMILY WELFARE PROGRAMS

Mr. Mishra organized Family Planning Programmes with historic success while working as S.D.O. (Bematara, District Durg ). He got 7258 L.T.T. operations performed and surpassed the sub-divisional set target of 4469 by 162%. He organized the largest camp of the country in Sambalpur at Navagarh Block in which 1400 LTT operations were performed within 24 hours, surpassing the target of the block by 200%. As SDO in Kavardha(District Rajnandgaon), he surpassed the target of subdivision by 123% and earned fame at national level as he surpassed the target successively for two years. It is a record in implementation of family welfare program in India .

CATARACT ERADICATION CAMPS

Mr. Mishra during his tenure, as Upper Collector and Chief Executive Officer Raipur was the in–charge of an eleven day camp for the eradication of blindness from 1.1.96 to 11.1.96 in which the number of operations for cataract touched astounding figure of 5037. Raipur, as a result of the tireless efforts of Shri Mishra, secured first position in eradication of blindness. It is the largest camp against cataract. It is the most historic achievement from the point of view of the eradication of blindness in the country.

SICKLE CELL

It is equally surprising that within one year, 1,70,000 persons were examined ,samples of their blood were collected and sent for Solubility and Electrophoresis test .The persons nurturing disorder were directed to specialist and were privileged with proper medical care; never before in the history of India such a large camp ,in such shortest time , with such a great success was organized against sickle cell .And in Kohka the blood samples of 2700 persons were collected for the same disorder within 24 hours. The Campaign is a testimony of Mr Mishra’s passion for making record at national level.

TREE PLANTATION PROGRAMME

The growing hazards caused by ecological imbalance, make a vigilant intellect think deeply about the consequences. Mr. Mishra proves his metal again with astounding figures and enviable success. During his tenure as Administrator Municipal corporation Raipur , the plantation was carried out on the pieces of land acquired after removing encroachment. It is even more surprising, that 56 trees were uprooted and replanted. All of them survived. In the Green Belt in Siltara and Bhanpuri, where he was posted as a Managing Director of Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam, as many as 30000 trees were planted. The most outstanding instance of Mr. Mishra’s passion for restoring eco–balance was witnessed in Raipur–Balauda Bazar Marg where on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Independence, the number of trees planted reached a fairy–tale figure of 1 lac along side. State Highway No. 5 measuring 90 kms, Mishra earned support of common man and insured the life of saplings, against all hazards. Again, it amounts to make belief that 90% saplings survived. Mr. Mishra was honoured with Yuddha Veer Singh Award by Horticulture Society of Chhattisgarh in the year 1998-99.

SAROVAR DHAROHAR YOJNA

The renovation of Indira Sarovar is another significant step towards restoration of ecological order in 2004-05 during his tenure as Collector of Rajnandgaon. The money allotted for the project had been lying lump for previous many years. It was utilized. The encroachment was removed by gentle means of persuasion and negotiation and the illegal occupants whose possession dates back to mid–seventies, were provided new accommodation under Ambedkar Yojana. Mishra’s image as relentless crusader was further consolidated and the pond regain its old glory.

TOTAL SANITATION CAMPAIGN (TSC)

Mr. Mishra as Collector Rajnandgaon, imparted new fame to Total Sanitation Programme. It is the only district where a proposal regarding declaration of 13 Gram Panchayat as Nirmal Gram was sent to the Govt. of India. Out of 13 proposals 12 Gram Panchayat have been qualified as Nirmal Gram. Rajnandgaon is the only district which has contributed in this field. The tremendous success in getting the private toilets constructed is another claim to fame for Mr. Mishra. The success is undeniably the outcome of incessant persuasion and inspiration for a more civilized life. It is hard to believe that out of 29465 private toilets constructed in Chhattisgarh, 22122 were constructed in Rajnandgaon as on 28.2.2006. A fine was stipulated for not using the toilet but it is a pleasant irony that no fine was received. Rajnandgaon, in implementation of TSC will be very close to Midnapur (West Bengal) to record a success of this order. The success of TSC has great social value as it serves to protect dignity, chastity and integrity of woman who go out to answer the call of nature. The social significance of the Programme grows a thousand fold in the light of sexual molestation and snake bites that had frequently being taking place. It is pertinent to note that prestigious organization of UNO, Unicef's Country Chief (India) Dr. Cecilio Adorna visited one of the Nirmal Gram Panchayat i.e. Sadak Chirchari of the Rajnandgaon Distt on 19 Nov. 2005 and stated that work done by Govt. missionary under the leadership of Collector G.S. Mishra is really commendable and wonderful and must be followed by other Distt. Administration of the country. (Paper cutting are attached for persual and reference)

EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN SELF HELP GROUPS (W.S.H.G)

Mr. Mishra’s efforts to empower W.S.H.G. are of lasting significance. It is a great achievement that members of the W.S.H.G. are taking care of mid–day meals of the students of 100% of the primary schools of rural areas of the district. As a result, the quality of meals was ameliorated beyond expectation. Besides a couple of Annapoorna Dalbhat Centers where one time meal is served for a meager payment of 5 rupees only, are also being looked after by them. Mini Mata Award, conferred on Phulvasan Bai ratifies the culmination of the success of the man in a hurry. NABARD recognized the services of Mr. Mishra, the Collector of Rajnandgaon and awarded him for successful escalation of the programme for the work done by W.S.H.G. continuously for two years.