Avichal Chaturvedi

Avichal vividly recalls the moment he not only understood, but deeply felt his calling to public service. As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across India, he spent the night in the hospital, carefully monitoring every ounce of medical oxygen. The next morning, he launched a crowdfunding campaign in Sikar district where he was serving as District Collector (administrative head). Driven by the trust placed in him by thousands of citizens, he ensured the installation of an oxygen manufacturing plant in the district within a month. Witnessing communities unite in the face of immense adversity reinforced his own faith in public service. Raised in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, and one of its most underdeveloped, Avichal was acutely aware of poverty and the lack of basic facilities. Yet he consciously resisted cynicism and negativity, choosing instead to seek systemic challenges and potential solutions – an ethos shaped by his upbringing in a family of civil servants. While in college, his involvement in street theater further motivated him to engage with people on critical issues. Over the past 12 years, he has worked in Rajasthan – the largest state in India – as an officer of the Indian Administrative Service. His tenure has included serving as District Collector in three districts and spearheading initiatives in sectors like public health, education, rural development, water security, and disaster management. He considers himself extremely fortunate to study public policy at SPIA, and learn from the highly accomplished and diverse cohort.