A highly accomplished CMHO, Dr. Dinesh Kharadi, is renowned for his exemplary leadership and innovative strategies in healthcare management during critical times like the COVID-19 pandemic. With a deep commitment to public welfare, he has successfully navigated complex administrative and medical challenges.

Dr. Dinesh Kharadi is the Chief Medical and Health Officer in Udaipur. As the CMHO, he oversees the region's public health initiatives and medical services.

With a government service career that began in 2003, Dr. Kharadi brings over two decades of rich experience and dedication to the healthcare sector.

Before taking charge as the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) in Udaipur, Dr. Dinesh Kharadi served in various capacities across Rajasthan, gaining extensive field and administrative experience. He began his career in public health at the Primary Health Center (PHC) in Banswara, followed by his stint at PHC Losing in Udaipur District. From 2009 to 2015, he served as the City Incharge, where he played a pivotal role in managing urban healthcare services. His consistent performance led to his appointment in the CMHO office, and prior to his posting as CMHO-Udaipur, he held the position of CMHO in Pratapgarh.

Reflecting on his early years, Dr. Dinesh Kharadi shares that he hails from the Dungarpur district in Rajasthan. He completed his primary education from Class 1 to 8 at Oda Bada village in Bichhiwara Tehsil. For higher secondary schooling (Classes 9 to 12), he moved to Udaipur, where he stayed in a government hostel. Driven by a passion for Medicine, he later pursued his MBBS Degree from RNT Medical College, Udaipur.

He fondly recalls his school days spent in the village, where he would walk four kilometers each way to attend classes—often crossing large drains along the path. Despite the challenges, he cherishes those memories as formative experiences. He also reminisces about the excitement of watching plays based on the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which were performed on Sundays. Even if it meant walking another four kilometers, the cultural richness and community spirit made it worthwhile.

Chief Medical & Health Officer Dr. Dinesh Kharadi shares that during his childhood, their village had no electricity. In fact, electricity only reached their home after he was selected for MBBS in 1996. Until then, he and his siblings studied by the light of a lantern. His father, a clerk in the education department, supported the family through financial hardships. Having lived through those struggles, Dr. Kharadi deeply understands the value of basic necessities. Today, when people approach him with requests or concerns, he responds with empathy—putting himself in their shoes and offering support with genuine understanding.

Chief Medical & Health Officer Dr. Dinesh Kharadi shares that during his childhood, their village had no electricity. In fact, electricity only reached their home after he was selected for MBBS in 1996. Until then, he and his siblings studied by the light of a lantern. His father, a clerk in the education department, supported the family through financial hardships. Having lived through those struggles, Dr. Kharadi deeply understands the value of basic necessities. Today, when people approach him with requests or concerns, he responds with empathy—putting himself in their shoes and offering support with genuine understanding.

Later, he developed a keen interest in the administrative side of medical service. He shares that the role of a Chief Medical & Health Officer involves significant administrative responsibilities, which aligns well with his interests. He finds great joy and inspiration in his current position, stating that when individuals work in a field they are passionate about, it brings both satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment. Recognizing that the CMHO role is largely administrative in nature, he intentionally chose this path to combine his medical expertise with leadership and governance.

Dr. Dinesh Kharadi underlines the importance of the proper guidance he received in his formative years. With his father employed in the education department and his elder brother also working, he benefited from a supportive environment at home that nurtured his growth. Reflecting on his time in Udaipur during classes 9 to 12, he notes that one's thinking and learning are often shaped by their surroundings. From a young age, he was deeply interested in reading inspirational stories and biographies of great personalities. He draws inspiration from the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, whose teachings continue to guide his path.

Dr. Dinesh Kharadi lives by the quote, “Nothing is impossible,” a belief he firmly upholds in every aspect of his life. He emphasizes the power of positive thinking and encourages focusing on the brighter side of situations rather than dwelling on negativity.

Another quote close to his heart is,

“ज़िन्दगी का हर लम्हा ज़िंदादिली के साथ जियो”,

which inspires him to live every moment with enthusiasm and optimism. Whether in his personal, family, or professional life, he strives to maintain a positive and confident outlook. Dr. Kharadi believes that life is a mix of joy and sorrow, and what one experiences largely depends on what they choose to seek. If you look for happiness, you will find it; if you seek sorrow, sorrow will surface. He also follows the Middle Path philosophy of Lord Buddha, particularly the principle that

“हर चीज की अति भी बहुत ख़राब होती है”

and tries to live a balanced and thoughtful life guided by this wisdom.

Sharing his experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Dinesh Kharadi recalls the intense and challenging days when the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Udaipur. He vividly remembers that during that time, the District Collector of Udaipur was Ms. Anandi. Dr. Kharadi would spend long hours—from 4 PM to 9 PM—working directly from the Collector’s chamber, coordinating efforts and managing the situation from there. He and his team conducted detailed case analyses, tracking every detail such as the specific train the patient had traveled in, its origin, and the list of fellow passengers. His commitment and administrative coordination played a vital role in the initial containment of the pandemic in the region and subsequent responses and efforts.

CMHO Dr. Dinesh Kharadi remembers how, after the first COVID-19 case in Udaipur, the number of cases gradually began to rise. He recalls a group of people arriving from Italy who were quarantined at the Trident Hotel, and other individuals coming from abroad. In response, the administration formed 10–12 dedicated teams that operated on the ground to manage these cases. He shares that during the pandemic, the office of the CMHO became the central point of coordination. Every medical query, every report requested by the authorities or the media, was directed to the CMHO, making it a highly stressful and demanding position.

Dr. Kharadi reflects that the pressure extended beyond his professional life and affected his family as well. He recalls working late into the night—sometimes until 1:30 or 2:00 AM—and waking up early to resume duties the next day. Despite the intense workload and emotional strain, he credits his capable and dedicated team for helping manage the crisis efficiently. It was through collaboration, coordination, and shared responsibility that they were able to navigate one of the most challenging times in recent history.

He emphasizes that the successful handling of the COVID-19 crisis in Udaipur was only possible because of the dedication and competence of his team, the proactive support of district authorities, and the involvement of socially responsible citizens. He firmly believes that if any of these groups had not been as active or coordinated, the casualty and mortality rates could have been significantly higher. Given that Udaipur is a major tourism hub with strong connectivity to other regions, the risk of widespread transmission was considerable. However, through collective effort and timely intervention, they managed to contain the situation effectively.

He underlines that although the period was extremely stressful, their primary goal remained clear—providing essential services and protecting the lives of the people. Even during the vaccination phase, the pressure did not ease. He continued working late into the night, ensuring that the process was efficient and that people received timely care.

Dr. Dinesh Kharadi underscores that when COVID-19 cases began to rise significantly, they quickly realized the shortage of hospital beds, ICU units, and ventilators. To address this critical situation, they organized meetings two to three times a day in the chamber of the District Collector. These meetings involved key stakeholders, including representatives from both government and private medical colleges, as well as members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), such as Dr. Anand Gupta. The objective was to coordinate efforts, mobilize resources, and ensure that patients received timely and appropriate care.

To streamline coordination, they created a WhatsApp group where updates regarding bed availability and types of beds had to be shared three to four times a day. Additionally, with the support of the District Council, they developed a Google Sheet system — making Udaipur the first district in Rajasthan to do so. This live sheet included a detailed map and real-time data on available and occupied beds, categorized by type, across all colleges and hospitals. Importantly, it was made accessible to the general public. Impressed by this initiative, the Rajasthan Government later adopted the model and implemented it statewide through a dedicated website.

To ensure a structured and effective COVID-19 response, a dedicated team was established in every private hospital and medical college, comprising one senior RAS officer and one doctor, as per government directives. Additionally, various types of Nodal Officers were appointed for specific operations—such as private hospitals, government hospitals, sampling, logistics, and more. This decentralized yet well-coordinated system helped streamline tasks, improve accountability, and ensure that all COVID-related work was carried out in an organized and efficient manner. These strategic measures played a critical role in controlling the pandemic in the district.

Moving away from his COVID experience, when he is asked about his views on the importance of education as compared to experience, Dr. Dinesh Kharadi emphasizes that both hold significant value, each in its own domain. He draws an analogy with cooking, explaining that just like every ingredient in a dish must be added in the right proportion to make it flavorful, similarly, both education and experience must be balanced for effective personal and professional growth.

He states that if individuals focus solely on education without gaining practical experience, that knowledge may not be useful. Conversely, relying only on experience without updating oneself through education can limit growth. Therefore, while the ratio may differ, both education and experience are essential and must go hand-in-hand.

He believes that every individual possesses both merits and demerits—the only difference lies in their proportion. Drawing a parallel, he emphasizes that education and experience function similarly in life. Both are crucial, and one cannot replace the other.

Talking about his role models, Dr. Dinesh Kharadi shares that, as mentioned earlier, his primary role model is Swami Vivekananda. He admires Vivekananda for his visionary lectures on "zero" in the 20th century, which made India proud and garnered global recognition. Dr. Kharadi highlights that Vivekananda achieved monumental feats at just the age of 32, and his legacy continues to inspire the world.

He also looks up to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who, after overcoming early struggles such as selling newspapers, rose to become the President of India and a globally recognized leader. Additionally, Dr. Kharadi draws inspiration from Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, who is celebrated worldwide as a symbol of knowledge and empowerment. Lastly, he follows the Sarvodaya principle of Mahatma Gandhi, which advocates universal upliftment of all. According to this principle, the poor should experience financial growth, the rich should embrace moral and ethical development, and the middle class should progress in both areas.

He reveals that he also admires and learns from the seniors around him. He shares that he gains valuable lessons from different individuals. He credits Dr. RC Sharma for teaching him not to chase after positions or money. From Naveen Jain, he learned the importance of not being driven by greed or fearing the loss of something. He also recalls a deputy CMHO he worked with, who advised him to "flow a bit like the wind and not become too stuck." Dr. Kharadi underscores that the lessons he learns from various people shape his growth, and he considers all of them as role models, continuously learning from their wisdom.

Describing Leadership, Dr. Dinesh Kharadi emphasizes that to be a good leader, one must first become a very good listener. A leader needs to truly listen and understand the perspectives of others before sharing their own views and decisions. He highlights that teamwork is essential for competent leadership. The team members should feel that the leader is with them; it shouldn’t be that the leader advances while the team lags behind. A good leader ensures progress while bringing everyone along, fostering teamwork, and making decisions based on collective input. He shares the saying,

"अकेला चना भाड़ नहीं फोड़ सकता,"

meaning that one person, whether a politician or a leader, cannot accomplish anything alone.

Dr. Dinesh Kharadi shares that if he had a time machine, he would like to visit different places and moments from his past, such as his childhood days, his college days, the time when he got married, and other precious milestones in his life.

In his free time, Dr. Dinesh Kharadi enjoys reading stories. He likes to read even a small story printed in a newspaper and has compiled a collection of stories in different genres, such as those about parents, siblings, or morals. Additionally, he enjoys listening to music and singing songs. He shares that no matter how stressed or hectic his day gets, listening to his favorite songs helps him relax.

Sharing his message to the new generation, Dr. Kharadi underlines that the new generation has become overly reliant on technology, leading to a decline in sensitivity and emotions, which are crucial for personal development. He observes that in his neighborhood, many children spend a significant amount of time occupied with TV, mobile devices, social media, and online platforms, raising concerns about the impact on their morals and ethics.

He highlights that no matter how successful one becomes, when it comes to hospitals or moments of need, it is always the family members who stand by them, not their social media friends. He emphasizes the importance of making and nurturing connections with family and friends while also developing strong moral values. Sharing his own experience, he acknowledges that while he cannot meet his parents regularly, he stays connected with them through calls. He insists that individuals should prioritize staying connected and maintaining strong bonds with their family.

Dr. Dinesh Kharadi concludes with the song,

"ज़िन्दगी प्यार का गीत है, इसे हर दिल को गाना पड़ेगा,  ज़िन्दगी ग़म का सागर भी है, हंस के उस पार जाना पड़ेगा।"

….which emphasizes that life is a melody of love and joy, and despite its challenges and sorrows, one must keep moving forward with a smile.