Munish Sood
Mandi – At a time when Mandi district is reeling under one of the worst natural calamities of the century, one officer has emerged as the face of resilience and reassurance — Deputy Commissioner Apurv Devgan, IAS.
For over two months, Mandi has witnessed unprecedented devastation. The Mandi–Manali National Highway, a lifeline for tourism and trade, has remained blocked for hours and sometimes days together due to continuous landslides, heavy rains, and the ongoing four-lane construction. Its closure is no longer just a local concern — the issue has gained national and international attention, given the highway’s strategic importance.
With the apple season at its peak in Kullu and Manali, the prolonged blockages threatened to destroy crops worth crores, pushing farmers’ year-long earnings to the brink of collapse. The situation was alarming enough to worry leaders in Shimla, but for Devgan, the challenge was not one to be managed from the confines of an office.
A DC Who Leads From the Front
When the Mandi–Pandoh stretch remained closed for five straight days, stranding trucks loaded with perishable crops, Devgan did not wait for updates from subordinates. He was on the ground himself, from morning till late night, ensuring the route was cleared. Eyewitnesses saw him directing vehicles, guiding laborers, and monitoring every step until the road reopened.
Sitting casually on a roadside parapet with his team, stopping vehicles to talk to distressed travelers, and personally giving instructions to officials — these were the images that won the hearts of people. His simplicity, hands-on style, and refusal to hide behind bureaucratic walls set him apart.
“Neither worried about clothes nor comfort, his only concern was that people should not suffer,” a local remarked.
Standing With Seraj During Its Darkest Hours
The devastation in Seraj valley — the home constituency of former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur — shook the entire nation. It was politically sensitive, logistically challenging, and emotionally draining. Yet, from day one, Devgan was at ground zero.
Wearing heavy boots and holding an umbrella, the DC was spotted at Bara on the Mandi–Janjheli road, personally supervising clearance work. Earlier, when the highway was blocked for 40 hours, he stood alongside police and volunteers, controlling traffic, clearing debris, and even arranging food for stranded passengers.
What stood out was his empathy. People recount how he treated their pain as his own, ensuring every victim received relief, every family was reached, and no one was left behind. He brought government and non-government agencies together, created a unified team, and worked round the clock to make sure aid reached all, while also ensuring that no one misused the disaster as an opportunity.
Balancing Politics, Administration, and Humanity
The disaster at Jai Ram Thakur’s own residence made the crisis even more politically sensitive. Managing coordination between the government, opposition, and administration was a task that could easily have spiraled into controversy. Yet, Devgan handled it with remarkable tact and efficiency.
The result? Despite the scale of tragedy, not a single finger has been raised against his functioning. No controversies, no complaints — only widespread admiration for an officer who has dedicated himself entirely to his people.
A Soldier in Civil Service
Behind the officer is also a young father. Devgan is the father of a few-months-old son, but those close to him reveal that he has hardly had time to hold his infant in the past two months. His days and nights have been consumed by rescue, relief, and rebuilding.
“He is working like a soldier on duty for the nation — day and night, without pause,” said one local.
The People Speak
His efforts have earned heartfelt tributes from every corner:
• Thakur Devinder Pratap: “When disaster hit Mandi, he was there — standing tall with the victims all day long, with an unwavering sense of commitment for the people.”
• Hem Thakur: “Sir, you are doing an excellent job in dealing with these disastrous situations across the district.”
• Kartar Bhandari: “Excellent and dedicated efforts by the District Administration Mandi are praiseworthy. Big applaud and hats off to DC Mandi for his devotion and service to society.”
• Kehar Thakur: “DC Mandi is leading from the front.”
A Case for National Recognition
Managing limited resources, handling both ruling and opposition leadership, and still living up to the expectations of the public in one of the worst calamities of the century is no ordinary feat. Citizens now argue that officers like Apurv Devgan deserve recognition at the national level.
“As someone who dreamt of becoming an IAS officer and worked tirelessly to achieve it, he has shown what the role truly means — responsibility, commitment, and service,” a resident said.
Indeed, in the eyes of the people, Apurv Devgan has not just been a District Commissioner, but a crisis-time commander — soldiering for the safety, dignity, and survival of his people.
“Such officers,” said one admirer, “truly deserve the nation’s highest awards. Jai Hind.”
