On 23 Oct 2026 I posted a long X thread about a chance encounter on a flight to Delhi with a senior Indian civil servant. I observed his low‑profile demeanor on the plane, then Googled his name (adding “IAS”) and uncovered his impressive credentials.
- Education: IIT Kanpur – Computer Science
IAS batch: 1991
Current position: Secretary (department not specified)
Media described him as “The Intellectual Powerhouse and Fiscal Architect of Modern India”.
I reflected on the “attention economy”, noting the stark contrast between his public accolades and the anonymity he enjoyed on the flight. This sparked my decision to start a series highlighting behind‑the‑scenes personalities that quietly shape society.
I highlighted a Shakuntala Devi video, pointing out that the most beautiful part starts at 2:12.
A meme I posted read “big fan”.
- Masters in Public Policy – Princeton University
- PhD in Economics – Princeton University