Lead by example.
Lead by example.
An alumnus of IIT and IIM, Mayur Dixit currently serves as a District Magistrate in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. His role entails overseeing the district's development activities, ensuring the implementation of government schemes, maintaining law and order, and managing all government-related responsibilities.
Coming from a middle-class background, Mayur's career path was somewhat predetermined. He pursued the Science stream in Senior Secondary and subsequently cleared the IIT-JEE examination, earning a B. Tech degree from IIT Kanpur. However, Mayur's thirst for knowledge and his desire to enhance his skills led him to pursue a Master in Business Administration from IIM Bangalore. After completing his MBA, he worked for a multinational company in Mumbai for three years.
Despite gaining valuable experience in the corporate sector, Mayur's inherent drive to make a positive impact on society motivated him to prepare for the Civil Services. Balancing his job and studies, he successfully cleared the IAS examination in 2013.
Mayur holds the belief that both private and government jobs are equally important. While his district heavily relies on government provisions due to its Himalayan location, he acknowledges the significant role played by private entities in larger cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Mayur emphasizes the importance of a balance between the two sectors for the nation's progress.
During the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mayur witnessed the immense strain on the administration. Uttarkashi, being a hilly region, lacks train connectivity, leaving the time-consuming road transportation as the only option. To mitigate this, Mayur and his team ensured a sufficient stock of essentials, including oxygen cylinders, in government hospitals. They also established a control room to effectively manage the crisis.
Moreover, Mayur prioritized raising awareness about social distancing and promoting Covid-appropriate behavior. Recognizing the impact of the pandemic on people's livelihoods, particularly in a tourist-dependent state like Uttarakhand, Mayur's administration devised plans to minimize the drastic effects of the pandemic on people.
Drawing from his own experiences, Mayur offers insights for individuals preparing for competitive examinations. He emphasizes the importance of targeted and efficient studying, rather than focusing solely on the number of hours spent. Mayur suggests planning the topics to cover in the morning and working towards completing them throughout the day. He also highlights that successful exam preparation encompasses factors such as effective writing skills, stress management during exams, and maintaining good physical and mental health.
Reflecting on his personal struggles, Mayur acknowledges the difficulties of balancing a job and exam preparation, particularly managing his health while living away from family.
Regarding mistakes, Mayur says he believes that everyone has different priorities in life. Some aim for high-paying jobs in metropolitan areas, while others strive to make a difference in their rural communities. Mayur emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions and viewing past mistakes as valuable learning experiences. He encourages focusing on personal growth and avoiding repetition of those mistakes.
Mayur's life motto revolves around applying his management and problem-solving skills to make a tangible difference in people's lives. He prioritizes accessibility and approachability in his role, striving to help individuals in any way possible.
While Mayur acknowledges the common perception that attending a prestigious college aids one's career, he believes that it may only offer initial advantages. Ultimately, he asserts, one's performance and dedication in their job matter more than their alma mater. Mayur cites examples of several of his favorite officers, who hail from regular colleges but excel in their work.
Mayur finds inspiration from every person he meets. He admires qualities such as humility, effective communication skills, and a calm demeanor, learning valuable lessons from those around him. He considers everyone he encounters as a source of inspiration in his life's journey.