Lucknow: IAS officers Durga Shanker Mishra and G Asok Kumar, were in attendance at the APAC 2nd Sustainable Urban Innovation Conclave, Uttar Pradesh Edition held in Lucknow on September 22, 2023. Mishra who was the Chief Guest in the event, talked about the challenges that come in urbanisation while addressing the audience, while Kumar, who delivered the key address, talked about the challenges of water management.
Both the officers have devoted themselves towards their responsibilities, and APAC New Network took the initiative to acknowledge the crucial work they have done for the nation by felicitating them and giving them special recognition for their efforts during the event.
Special recognition was given to IAS Durga Shanker Mishra for his efforts towards India’s urban transformation. Mishra is an officer of the 1984 batch of Uttar Pradesh cadre, and the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Previously, he served as the Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair, Government of India, for more than 4 years. He played a massive role in the planning and execution of various flagship urban missions, like the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, PMAY-Urban, AMRUT, Smart City Mission, PMSVANidhi programs. He has also played an important role in the development of India’s metro connectivity and other urban transport connectivity across the nation.
APAC also gave special recognition to IAS officer G Asok Kumar for his efforts in the water sector. Kumar, currently serving as the Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, is an IAS officer of Telangana cadre, from the 1991 batch. Previously, he served as the Mission Director for National Water Mission where his work in “Jal Shakthi Abhigan: Catch the Rain” campaign led to the sanction of over 9.5 lakh water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures all over India. Befittingly, he received the moniker “the Rain Man of India”.
Kumar also initiated the monthly “Water Talks” and “Water Tech Talks”, along with preparing water budgets for all states, water audit of various industrial sector units and irrigation projects to improve the water use efficiency, etc. As a District Collector in 2002, Kumar supported the construction of over 140,000 household toilets in 1000 schools in Nizamabad district and was the reason behind the delivery of water supply to over 3 million people in Hyderabad in 2008.
