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Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers are often known for their strict working style, pile of files and administrative strictness, but when an officer goes beyond the limits of his duty and makes his place directly in the culture, language and hearts of the people, then that officer rises above the administrative machinery and becomes a leader of the people. Recently, one such heart-touching and inspiring incident has come to light from Jehanabad district of Bihar, which has created a sensation from social media to administrative corridors. When District Magistrate (DM) of Jehanabad, Chhiring Y Bhutia, who hails from a remote north-eastern state like Sikkim and is known for her efficiency, started communicating with the local people in ‘Magahi’ language during a public program, showing complete ease and familiarity, everyone present there was stunned. Coming from the plains of Sikkim and mixing with the dialect of the soil of Bihar, the officer deeply touched the hearts of the people.
This story of Chhiring Y Bhutia is not just the story of transfer and posting of an IAS officer, but it is a living example of the beautiful coordination between two different cultures. Coming from the cultural background of Sikkim, the north-eastern state of India, when Chhiring Y Bhutia entered the civil services after passing the tough UPSC exam, he was allotted Bihar cadre. It is not easy for any new officer to work in a state like Bihar with challenging work culture, complex social fabric and administrative challenges. But Chhiring Y Bhutia turned his initial hesitation into his strength rather than his weakness. She showed deep interest in learning the folk culture, food and especially the regional dialects of Bihar, the result of which is visible to everyone today that she is communicating among the general public in their own language.
When DM Chhiring Y Bhutia got up on the stage to speak during a government review meeting or public dialogue program held in Jehanabad district, no one expected that she would address the people in the local accent. As soon as he started his talk, when he started using typical words and idioms of Magahi language, all the villagers, elders and youth sitting in the auditorium were left speechless. Hearing his friendly address in Magahi, a big smile appeared on the faces of the people and the entire hall echoed with thunderous applause. That an officer respects the people’s mother tongue and communicates in it in this way is proof that she is not limited to mere paper orders, but on the ground, she fully understands the joys, sorrows and feelings of the people.
In a country as diverse as India, language often becomes the biggest barrier when moving from one state to another, especially when an officer uses Hindi or English as the administrative language. But when an IAS officer, coming from a state other than the Hindi heartland like Sikkim, communicates in a district of Bihar in the local Magahi dialect, then all the walls between the government and the people automatically fall down. The people of Jehanabad say that when DM Madam listens to their problems in their own language, they feel as if they are not talking to some distant officer but to a member of their own family. This humane and sensitive style of administrative officers is presenting the biggest example of good governance in today’s times.
As soon as this video of DM Chhiring Y Bhutia speaking in Magahi surfaced on various social media platforms, it went viral like wildfire. People from every corner of Bihar are praising this female IAS officer for her simplicity, passion for learning and her heartfelt affection towards the public. Internet users say that if the administrative officers of every district of the country adopt the language and culture of the people, then the gap between the administration and the public will end forever. DM Chhiring Y Bhutia, who has become the pride of Sikkim and the pride of Bihar, has proved that true administrative success lies not only in disposal of files but in winning the hearts of the people.