Ritu Maheshwari is one of the most well known and most followed IAS officers in India. She is an inspiration for millions of Indians, especially those who wish to enter public service and make a difference to the lives of innumerable people across the country.
Ritu Maheshwari was born in Punjab on July 14 1978. Her family consisted of her parents Shri C.D. Singla and Smt. Saroj Singla and her siblings Monika Gupta and Rishabh Singla. After finishing her schooling from D.A.V. School, M.C.M DAV College, Chandigarh, she enrolled in Punjab Engineering college to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. After attaining her Bachelor’s in Engineering(B.E.), Ritu Maheshwari enrolled in the Amity University(Noida) to pursue MBA in Executive Development.
An inspiration to many young people, especially girls, Ritu Maheshwari is a prime example of how hard work and dedication is always rewarded. In her decades of public service, she has been recognised and applauded for her work not just in India but globally. She has also had a documentary called Katiyabaaz filmed on her life. The documentary went on to premier at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2012. It also won the Best Film in the India Section at the 15th Mumbai Film Festival.
Ritu Maheshwari is married with two children, putting to rest the notion that a woman cannot have a personally fulfilling life if she has a high achieving professional one. Her husband Mayur Maheshwar is incredibly supportive of her career and achievements. They are the best example of a healthy and fulfilling marriage for all.
In her extensive career as an IAS, Ritu Maheshwari has been posted in numerous districts. Her work is mostly concentrated in Uttar Pradesh and is hugely responsible for some of the biggest and most well received programs there. Her postings include Ghazipur, Amroha, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, New Delhi, Noida and Agra. She has served in various departments and sectors leaving an impact wherever she went.
Her work has been awarded and applauded numerous times. The health initiative Aarogyam that she started in Uttar Pradesh was awarded the State E-Governance Award 2011, National E-Governance Award 2012, and UN Public Service Delivery Award for Public Administration in 2012.
Her work with the Swachh Bharat Mission in Ghaziabad and Noida was also recognised. Ghaziabad was designated the Swachh Bharat Fastest Moving City in 2018 and Noida was awarded the Open Defecation Free (ODF) (Noida) Plus Plus Award for Municipal Administration in 2018. Additionally Greater Noida was designated Open Defecation Free in 2021 along with receiving the designation of 5-Star Garbage Free City for SBM (Urban) by the Government of India’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in 2021.
Her dedication to the betterment of the nation is an inspiration for all the people of the country. Her dedication to public service and her visionary leadership wherever she’s posted make her the perfect role model for all those who wish to enter public service.
