Dr. Hari Om: An IAS Who Wears a Motley Hat

By The Optimist News | June 9, 2021 | Updated by Tanusha Narula in September 19, 2026

The demanding job of a civil servant in India hardly leaves any time for anything else. But there will always be exceptional souls who defy every rule. Meet Dr. Hari Om, a 1997 batch IAS officer from the UP cadre who, besides serving as a Secretary to the Government of UP, is a prolific singer trained in ghazals, a music composer, writer, poet, and an inveterate traveler.

Overcoming All Odds

Dr. Hari Om, who hails from a small village in the Amethi district of UP, was serious about his studies from the beginning. “Since I come from a rural background, most of the students never knew about the administrative system. Nobody knew who an IAS officer was. Sometimes my father used to talk about somebody called a Collector in the district,” he shared.

He studied up to class 12 in his village. After standard 8, he opted for the humanities. “My elder brother was studying science. I was reluctant to read the science subjects though I was quite bright as a student. In those times, there was a prevalent thought in society that science students would be doctors or engineers and the Arts students become officers. My father used to motivate me to try for IAS and PCS. But I was only trying to be a good student. My teachers used to say that I am a bright student and I have the potential to crack civil service exams.”

When Dr. Hari Om went to study at Allahabad University, the academic atmosphere had a profound impact on him. Most of his fellow mates frequently discussed the IAS and PCS. “At that time, I was just focusing on getting first division marks. However, seeing some of the students appearing for the exam, I started thinking about the Service and what would be the subjects I should study. I bought books of my favorite subjects and started reading and thinking about becoming an IAS,” he said.

Initially, he studied Ancient History, and then shifted to Political Science and Hindi Literature in his final year.

The JNU Factor

After completing his graduation, Dr. Hari Om moved to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 1992. “There the students were more serious about IAS. Being in Delhi, one could get all the guidance required for the examination.” It was at this juncture that he took a firm decision to crack the civil service exam.

The open-minded, peaceful atmosphere at JNU played a major role in shaping his worldview. “In JNU we had a democratic process of studying. Teachers used to encourage us to discuss, debate, and present our own viewpoints. The control of the administration in the university was minimal. Even the elections were conducted by a committee formed by the students. There was no imposed and enforced discipline. We did not restrict ourselves to the syllabus. We used to attend seminars, listen to visiting experts, and invite anyone doing something significant in the country to have a chat in the mess.”

This liberal atmosphere expanded Dr. Hari Om’s horizons. “Anything significant happening in the country or the world would find a place in our discussions. The lively and vibrant campus changed our outlook, our perception about the society, our country, our government, and played a significant role in shaping my personality.”

Dr. Hari Om completed his post-graduation and doctorate in Hindi Literature from JNU. Later, after joining the service, he completed a Masters in Public Policy from the Netherlands.

A Prolific Writer

Dr. Hari Om used to write poems in his diaries during his college days, but he began to take writing seriously after joining the civil service. His first book, Dhoop Ka Parcham, a collection of ghazals, was published in 2002.

“Being a student of Hindi Literature, I was largely acquainted with Hindi poetry, but Urdu poetry was my favorite. Since I used to hum and loved listening to ghazals, the genre attracted me more. So when I started writing couplets, I started with writing ghazals,” he shared.

The service gave him the opportunity to travel extensively. During elections, he would be away for weeks, giving him the scope to meet diverse people, try different cuisines, and observe new surroundings. This exposure, combined with his rural roots, influenced him to branch into fiction. His second book, Amreeka Meri Jaan, is a collection of stories.

He has since written several books across poetry and prose, including Khwabon Ki Hansi, Titliyon Ka Shor, Kapas Ke Agle Mausam Main, and Main Koi Ek Raaste Jaise.

The Officer with a Melodious Voice

It might surprise many to know that Dr. Hari Om is also celebrated for his vocal talent and musical compositions.

“I used to hum in my student life. I was interested in local forms of music. People used to encourage me to sing in college, and I was happy to hum popular film songs. At times I used to sing Pankaj Udas, Jagjit Singh, and Ghulam Ali Mehta,” he noted.

After becoming an IAS officer, he sang occasionally at private gatherings. However, in 2015, when he was posted as Secretary, he began formal training in classical music and committed to regular riyaaz (practice).

In 2016, he staged his first public performance and released his music album, Roshni ke Pankh, which became an instant hit. The album is based on his own poetry, containing the immortal line: “Main tere pyar ka mara hua hun, sikandar hun magar hara hoon.”

His unique ability to balance top-tier civil service with professional artistry has drawn significant national media attention, with publications like DNA India regularly citing his journey as a prime example of administrative versatility. Prior to his original album, he also released Intisaab, based on the poetry of Faiz Ahmad Faiz.

On Work-Life Balance

It is commonly believed that the coveted IAS demands officers devote all their time to the profession. Dr. Hari Om debunks this myth head-on.

“The Service keeps one engaged while working on the field. In the first 15 years of my service when I was serving as Collector, I was occupied in fieldwork. However, even in those times I used to read and write in my leisure,” he explained.

“When you have ideas, thoughts, emotions, you construct them in your mind and whenever you get time you write them down. However, you need to devote a lot of time while writing fiction. You need to develop the characters; feel the pain and the circumstances. I used to manage time and write down whenever I could, especially when I was travelling and on weekends.”

Having served as District Magistrate in districts like Allahabad, Gorakhpur, and Fatehpur, he only fully committed to singing after his field service concluded. “Singing needs regular riyaaz. So I practice classical music before 10 AM in the morning and after 6 PM in the evening.”

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Dr. Hari Om’s recent book, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, is much more than a travelogue to a holy shrine. Apart from the religious devotion, the book details the social, political, economic, and diplomatic nuances he encountered along the journey.

The subtitle, Astha ke Vaichik Ayam, signifies the different dimensions of faith. “Any rational human being would not visit Kailash with the only objective to reach the holy shrine and come back. I went to Kailash with an open mind to learn from my journey,” he said.

“I interacted with my fellow travelers and learnt from the stories they shared. I came to know how the locals earn their livelihood, the different socio-economic conditions of Nepal and China, and the endurance of travelers who undergo such a difficult journey. I was able to enjoy the bounty of nature, the mountains, and the forests.”

If you are wondering how an IAS officer can juggle so many roles, his book provides the clearest answer. “Life is a journey with no fixed destination. Every journey should enrich you and make you humble as a human being. Follow the path of reason and not blind faith,” he concluded. “IAS should not be a destination for anyone, but a means to serve humanity.”