Munish Sood
MANDI:
As relentless rains battered the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh and triggered flashfloods, entire villages were cut off, lives were lost and the landscape was left in shambles. But amid this unprecedented crisis, three names emerged not just as administrators, but as beacons of hope: Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma and Balh SDM Smritika Negi.
These three officers, each with different roles but a shared spirit, have become the soul of Mandi’s disaster response. In sleepless nights, in treacherous terrain and under extreme pressure, they have redefined public service.
Apoorv Devgan: Leading relief operations on ground
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan has been the central force behind the massive rescue and relief operations. From blocked roads to vanished villages, the administrative challenges were immense. But Devgan met each one head-on — with speed, calm and an unwavering focus on outcomes.
Working round the clock, Devgan personally supervised logistics, assigned responsibilities to SDMs and block officials and ensured every department — from revenue to health — was functioning at full capacity. Relief supplies were arranged by air where roads failed and connectivity to remote areas was restored faster than anyone had hoped.
“Apoorv sir is not just giving orders from an office. He’s in the field, getting wet in the rain like the rest of us. It gives us strength,” says Devin Thakur, a local resident. Raj Purohit, a teacher from Bagsaid, says, “People often say officers are distant, but Apoorv sir is one of us. He’s working harder than anyone I’ve seen.”
From setting up makeshift shelters to ensuring fair distribution of rations, Devgan’s command structure brought order to chaos. His leadership has not just helped rebuild bridges and roads—but trust.
Sakshi Verma: Leading police team from front
As the district reeled from the natural calamity, the responsibility of maintaining law, order and civil peace fell squarely on the shoulders of SP Sakshi Verma. She stepped up — not just as a police officer but as a guardian of dignity and order.
Sakshi Verma personally led patrols in vulnerable areas, ensured relief camps were secure, deployed forces to clear debris-blocked routes and coordinated closely with other departments. Her police teams helped with evacuations, secured damaged areas and ensured that distribution points didn’t become chaotic.
Ved Chauhan, a resident of Thunag, says, “She is fearless. I’ve seen her standing by the riverbank, coordinating evacuation. She’s leading her team from the front.”
Rashmi, a homemaker from Bada panchayat, adds, “She’s a mother herself, but hasn’t been home in days. That’s real dedication. Her presence makes us feel safe.”
Sakshi Verma’s no-nonsense professionalism, combined with a quiet sense of care, has turned her into a figure of reassurance. While she avoids media limelight, locals now speak of her in the same breath as heroes.
Smritika Negi: Personal approach to relief work
Among all the officers, Balh SDM Smritika Negi stands out for her deeply personal approach to relief work. Smritika’s efforts went beyond paperwork. She used her personal network to raise donations worth lakhs, facilitated medical aid for the injured and distributed essentials by visiting remote sites herself. She played with orphaned children in relief camps, shared car rides with displaced kids, handed out chocolates and made sure every family felt seen and heard.
“She didn’t ask if we were from her area — she just helped,” says Mahinder, a resident of Seraj. “She held our children, cried with us and told us we’d be okay.”
Sheetal Chauhan, a youth volunteer from Mandi, says, “She’s not acting like an officer but as a guardian. Watching her gives us courage to help more.”
Her social media became a platform for real-time aid. She shared stories, needs and calls for help — and people responded. Volunteers came forward. NGOs joined. And in the middle of it all was Smritika, coordinating with grace and humility.
“She’s not just a civil servant but a civil soul also — deeply human, deeply inspiring,” says Ajay Banyal, a senior government officer.
“What unites these three officers is their refusal to treat this tragedy as just another assignment. They’ve made it personal. They’ve stepped into the mud, slept little, eaten less and led by example,” says Amit from Janjheli.
Harvinder Singh, a resident of Chachyot, says, “This is the first time I’ve seen officials working with the people, not above them.”
