• Source: Hari Chandana Dasari

Hari Chandana Dasari (born 1984) is a distinguished Indian Administrative Service, (IAS) officer known for her innovative and socially impactful initiatives. Her career is marked by a commitment to sustainable development, women's empowerment, and community engagement.
Hari Chandana has held various significant positions, including those that of working as the District Collector of Nalgonda and Narayanpet Districts, where she has implemented numerous developmental projects and programs that have uplifted the community at large.




Early life and education


Hari Chandana graduated from the St. Ann's College, Hyderabad and earned her Master's Degree in Political Science from the university of Hyderabad (UOH) and then completed Post Graduate in Environmental Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE), UK.
Hari Chandana had relinquished a lucrative job in London to embark on the challenging yet fulfilling path of a Public Service career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). She successfully cleared the UPSC exam in2009 in her second attempt and was allotted her home cadre, Telangana (TG).




Career


Hari Chandana is currently serving as the Special Secretary to the Government of Telangana in the Roads & Buildings Department. Her earlier assignments include those of Collector & District Magistrate of Nalgonda District, earlier as Collector & District Magistrate of Narayanpet District, and Zonal Commissioner for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) heading various zones in the GHMC for over a period of five plus years spearheading many urban infra initiatives apart from various innovative ideas in the realm of waste management etc.




Professional journey and career milestones


Returning Officer for Warangal Khammam Nalgonda MLC By-Election Arrangements: Hari Chandana played a crucial role as the Returning Officer in the Warangal, Khammam, and Nalgonda MLC by-elections, overseeing the electoral arrangements and ensuring a smooth and successful voting process.[7]
District Collector of Nalgonda: Her tenure as the District Collector of Nalgonda marked a significant milestone in her career, where she focused on the comprehensive district development and public welfare, notably skill development and job placements.




Initiatives


Smart Towns and Villages: Earlier during her stint as the Zonal Commissioner in GHMC and as the District Magistrate of Narayanpet, Hari Chandana emphasized the importance of developing smart towns and villages as a foundation for achieving the vision of smart cities.[8]
Eco Warrior: Her efforts in promoting environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices have earned her the title of "Eco Warrior." [9]Under her leadership, Hyderabad recycled 25 million metric tons of plastic waste into paver tiles way back in 2017-18, contributing to the Swachh Bharat Mission and also the GHMC Office Building had earned the prestigious Green Standard Award from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).[10]
Pet Park: Under her vision, Hyderabad now has an exclusive park for pets, featuring pet play equipment, training areas, and a splash pool. This facility, built on a redundant former dump yard showcases the extreme care for pets and the vision for optimal utilization of resources and promotes pet care and solid waste management and recycling.[11]
Facial Mask Making During COVID-19: During the COVID-19 pandemic, she initiated a program to engage women in mask-making, which not only provided livelihoods but also empowered women in the community. During the pandemic, she empowered SHGs to produce fig jam, pulped custard apple, and jellies apart from masks generating 4000 plus jobs and earning profits to the tune of 50 lakhs. These were done in Narayanpet District which is known for its hereditary weavers profession and rich natural resources.[12]
She Toilets Initiative: She Toilets initiative were aimed at providing clean and safe sanitation facilities for women, significantly impacting their health and dignity which was a flagship initiative in the country and in the state. Moreso, Mobile She Toilets were a hit with one and all.[13]
Toilet Campaign in Narayanpet: Her toilet campaign in Narayanpet improved sanitation and hygiene, positively affecting the lives of women in the region. This ensured dignity and hygiene for all others is in alignment with the UNDP-goals.
Aarunya: This online initiative empowers marginalized rural artisans by providing them with skills to own and manage an online enterprise and directly connecting them with consumers through an e-commerce platform, thus Aarunya effectively connected the rural artisans directly with the urban clients there by ensuring maximum profits to women.
T-Consult: A telemedicine initiative that offers free medical consultations via video conferencing, breaking down geographical barriers to access quality healthcare especially during the COVID-19 period and later. This platform connected to super specialist and general doctors with the rural people with a service motto.[14]
Lake Rejuvenation and Beautification: Played a key role in rejuvenating lakes, including Durgam Cheruvu, into parks and landscapes.
Holistic Development of Children and Youth: Developed Panchatantra-themed parks, libraries, and playgrounds, promoting holistic development and aligning them with various child and youth development programs in and around old and new city area.
Early Coders: An initiative to bridge the digital divide by teaching coding to over 2000 students from 61 schools in the Narayanpet district.
Stepwell Restoration and Cultural Heritage: Her dedication towards preserving cultural heritage through the restoration of step-wells, such as Baram Bavi, contributed to the revival of the cultural identity and reigniting national pride in this, which enabled the small communities to revive their heritage and community spaces in rural areas.




Recognition and awards


Top 10 Inspiring IAS Officers in India: Hari Chandana has been recognized as one of the top 10 inspiring IAS officers in India for her exemplary work and dedication to public service.[15]
Inspiring Women in Public Service: Her contributions to public service and women's empowerment have been widely acknowledged, inspiring many young women to pursue careers in public administration.[16]




Reference






External links


https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/meet-ias-harichandana-who-left-her-london-job-to-become-an-eco-warrior-in-hyderabad-2613213-2024-10-08

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