From the Pastoral Hills to Power Corridors
Part I: Roots and Foundations
Chapter 1: My Land, My People
- Introduction to the region and my ancestral village
- Lineage and clan identity: The Khatana tribe and its legacy
- A glimpse into our semi-nomadic pastoral life: seasonal migrations, livestock economy
- Village life: relationships, interdependence, community values, cultural ethos
- Strengths and shortcomings of rural life—deep-rooted belonging and social challenges
Chapter 2: The First Spark: Education in the Hills
- The opening of the first school in our house – the role of education pioneers in the family
- My early schooling at Primary School Shindra and transition to neighboring school
- School infrastructure, teaching challenges, community participation in education
Chapter 3: War and Wounds
- Impact of the 1965 War on schooling and village life: disrupted routines and fear
- Continuation of studies amidst adversity – strength and resilience
- Impact of the 1971 War – refugee-like conditions, resource crunch, school closures
- How these experiences shaped determination and self-discipline
Chapter 4: The Ascent to Aspiration
- Admission to Government High School Kalai and
- Later to Residential Ashram School Poonch
- Experiences at ML Higher Secondary School Poonch – mentors, friends, and motivation
- Overcoming adversity through perseverance
- Admission to Regional Engineering College Srinagar – a turning point
Part II: The Engineer, The Officer, The Visionary
Chapter 5: Trials and Triumphs in Technical Service
- Early career at J&K Power Development Department (PDD) as Junior Engineer
- Deputation to NHPC – learning the ropes of hydropower infrastructure
- The heartbreak of not being selected by JKPSC – reflections on failure and fate
Chapter 6: Scaling Heights – The UPSC Journey
- Selection in UPSC Engineering Services (1981) – national stage, new beginnings
- Posting in Ministry of Power, Central Electricity Authority (MCEA) – technical roles, policy insights
Chapter 7: Building India, One Institution at a Time
- Stints at:
- KVIC, Ministry of Small Scale and Agro Industry – rural entrepreneurship
- Power Finance Corporation – navigating finance and power sector dynamics
- Selection on Immediate Absorption in IREDA, MNRE – a landmark moment
- Career progression from Deputy Manager to General Manager – responsibilities and innovations
Chapter 8: The Executive Director Years
- Heading critical projects in renewable energy
- National and international collaborations
- Policy implementation and thought leadership
- Retirement in May 2015 – reflections on four decades of service
Part III: Giving Back – A Mission of Meaning
Chapter 9: From Power to Purpose
- Role as Technical Consultant to:
- J&K State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC)
- Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for J&K and Ladakh
- Shaping fair energy practices and regulatory frameworks
Chapter 10: WHEEL – Without Reinventing the Wheel
- Birth of the WHEEL Mission
- Philosophy: Leverage experience to uplift the next generation
- Grassroots mentoring, policy advocacy, knowledge sharing
Chapter 11: Into the Future: Prompt Engineering and GenAI
- Embracing Generative AI and Prompt Engineering as a new frontier
- Vision to build a GenAI Prompt Engineering Academy – bridging tradition and technology
- Training youth for tomorrow’s careers – the ultimate giveback
Part IV: Reflections and Messages
Chapter 12: Lessons from My Life
- Key values: integrity, humility, perseverance, service
- Life as a bridge between tradition and modernity
- What my journey means for young minds today
Chapter 13: Message to the Future
- Final reflections to children, youth, policymakers, and the public
- Hope for India, the region, and humanity
- Call for sustainability, equity, and empowered innovation
Appendices (Optional)
- Family tree and tribal history (if documented)
- Photographs: childhood, early education, career milestones
- Selected speeches, awards, and honors
- Key articles or papers published