A retired IG from the Rajasthan Police, Prasanna Kumar Khamesra had an illustrious career while serving in various roles, including SP of Dungarpur and Chittorgarh, and later on as IGP Bharatpur range and Kota range. His passion for music led him to co-found Srajan The Spark to promote emerging artists and emphasize continuous learning.

Prasanna Kumar Khamesra served as IG-Police with the Rajasthan Police before retiring.

He began his career in law enforcement in 1989. His first posting was as DySP in Hindaun city,  Sawai Madhopur where he served for two years, followed by Chhoti Sadri, Rajsamand, Pratapgarh and Jhunjhunu. Over the years, he held positions as Deputy SP and Additional SP in various locations. In 2013, he was appointed SP of Dungarpur and then in 2014 as SP- Chittorgarh. He later became DIG in Jaipur, where he served as Additional Commissioner- Crime, Jaipur. He also held roles as DIG-PMW and DIG- Crime at the Police Headquarters. After being promoted, his first posting as IG was in Bharatpur range for one and a half  years, followed by another one and a half  years as IG in Kota range.

Discussing his professional journey, Khamesra shares that he also experienced situations like communal violence while serving as SP in the districts of Dungarpur and Chittorgarh in respective years. Khamesra served for nearly 5 years in Chittorgarh which was a record for the longest stay as SP.

During his tenure at various places, he did come across sensitive cases of murder, smuggling, and other crimes. On that note, he says he experienced how these situations can be tackled with team spirit and that he was fortunate to get support from all the officials. Khamesra shares that implementing proper law and order and ensuring crime control in his 35 years of police service could be possible with everyone working as a team. He also feels happy to share that in the 35 years of his service, 90 percent of his tenure was in field postings and is grateful for the constant support of his fellow mates and the public.

Khamesra shares a glimpse of initiatives like starting an interface program in schools and colleges. In 1995-96, he also started an initiative called Chhoti Sadri Prayog to bridge the gap between the public and the police. He does not consider any success as his sole achievement, but calls it an achievement of the entire team. Khamesra is thankful to his colleagues and the public for their constant love and support showered on him even after he retired two months ago.

When asked about his love for music, Khamesra recalls how it began in the 1970s, during the era of Murphy radio. As a child, around 5-6 years old, he loved listening to BBC London and All India Radio (AIR). One particular song, “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli” from the film Anand, left a lasting impression on him. This love for music deepened over time, and in the 1980s, during his college years, he developed an appreciation for ghazals after discovering Jagjit Singh, along with his interest in classical music.

Khamesra’s connection to music evolved further when he started getting cassettes recorded in Ahmedabad and Indore. Later, when he joined the police force, music became a crucial stress reliever. Despite his demanding career, Khamesra always maintained a balance between his personal and professional life, with music playing a key role.

In 2013, sharing this passion with his friends, he co-founded ‘Srajan The Spark’, a platform aimed at giving budding singers a stage to showcase their talent. This initiative grew beyond Udaipur, expanding to cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Bhilwara, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Delhi, Chennai, and even internationally, with chapters in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada, started by friends. Since its inception, Srajan The Spark has seen performances from both emerging and established artists, combining Khamesra’s interests in art, culture, and literature into a thriving platform.

Many renowned artists, including poets, musicians, and actors, have graced the stage of Srajan The Spark. The Patrons of Srajan The Spark include Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota, renowned actor and poet Shailesh Lodha, Drum Percussionist Shivamani, famous  ghazal singers Ahmed Hussain and Mohammed Hussain, celebrated flautist Ronu Majumdar and late ghazal maestro Rajkumar Rizvi. The platform has also featured live performances by artists like Pankaj Udhas, Suresh Wadkar, Kavita Seth, Manhar Udhas, Pratibha Singh Baghel, Sudesh Bhosle, Nitin Mukesh and Usha Uthup. Additionally, Srajan The Spark celebrates literature and shayari, showcasing talents such as Nida Fazli, Rahat Indori, and Hasan Kamal. The platform honors artists for their contributions to society and achievements in its annual program, which have been graced by renowned personalities like Kalyan ji of Kalyanji-Anandji, Usha Mangeshkar, Sameer Anjan, Manhar Udhas, Anand-Milind, Vinod Rathore, Shailesh Lodha, Chandan Das, Sajid, and Yogesh ji among others.

Originally from Udaipur, Prasanna Khamesra travelled extensively across Rajasthan for educational purposes. His grandfather, a distinguished B.Sc. and LLB graduate, earned his B.Sc. from Jaipur’s Maharaja College and completed his LLB from Indore. He went on to serve as a District Social Welfare Officer  in various districts of Rajasthan. Khamesara’s father, an Executive Engineer with PHED, also had a transferable job, resulting in frequent relocations. As a result, Khamesara attended both government and private schools, a combination that provided him with valuable insights and adaptability in the long run.

Prasanna Khamesra completed his B.Sc. and MBA and began working in his uncle’s factory in Ahmedabad. However, a turning point came when he received a letter from a friend that read, "दो नावों की सवारी करना अच्छा नहीं होता," (It is not good to sail in two boats at the same time) encouraging him to focus on one career path. With the support of his uncle and parents, he decided to explore new opportunities, with the assurance that he could always return to the family business. Utilizing this time wisely, he prepared for government exams and successfully cleared the RAS interview, fulfilling his dream of joining the Rajasthan Police Services (RPS). He credits his reading habits for helping him ace these exams.

Prasanna Khamesra believes that all students should develop reading habits. He shares his experience of how his interest in novels and literature began as a young child, considering reading ‘Yayati’ by Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar when he was in seventh grade a significant achievement. By eleventh grade, he had already explored popular Hindi literature, including works by Rangeya Raghav, Premchand, Agyey and Jai Shankar Prasad, despite being in the science stream.

He emphasizes that reading can help students stand out, develop their personalities, and benefit them in the long run. Khamesra asserts that having knowledge across various fields—from art and culture to literature and sports—is advantageous. He began reading 5-6 newspapers everyday from fifth grade through college, which helped him gain knowledge early on, improved his perspective, and tackle challenging exams. He balanced his thirst for knowledge with regular education, achieving good marks in all subjects, and also valued sports. He advises the youth to broaden their horizons beyond formal education.

Reflecting on his early days, Khamesra recalls rushing home after school to play games like gulli-danda, sitoliya, cricket, hockey, and football. He was not only active in these games but also curious about their intricacies. A significant memory for him is the 1972 Olympics when he listened to the hockey match commentary between India and Holland amid city floods, although India lost. This left a lasting impression on him. He also reminisces about India's victory in the 1975 World Cup Hockey and notable tennis matches with players like Vijay Amritraj, Shashi Menon and Ramesh Krishnan, as well as Prakash Padukone's All England Badminton win in 1980. These examples underscore his belief in the importance of knowing sports history as a source of motivation.

Khamesra quotes a few lines from his favourite artists- Ahmed Hussain and Mohammed Hussain, which goes like, “ज़र्रों से गुजर कर चमक अपनी छोड़ जाऊंगा, पहचान अपनी दूर तलक छोड़ जाऊंगा। On that note, he says each one of us should strive to do something that would leave a positive impact on the nation and society. Khamesra says we all should keep negativity at bay and give back to society.

When asked about his role models, Khamesra expresses that every Indian personality who has contributed significantly to films, established foundational principles, and embodies admirable qualities serves as a role model for him. He emphasizes the importance of learning from those who have positively impacted society through their work and values.

He quotes Lord Mahavira’s non-violence and Lord Gautam Buddha’s middle path to the victories of Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka. Khamesra also highlights the contributions made by Mahatma Gandhi while also shedding light on Rajendra Prasad whose book he read whilst in 5th grade. He says we all should learn from these personalities and inculcate their values in our professional lives. However, Khamesra also warns not to blindly follow anyone, but remember to critically analyze and then pick the best qualities from them.

Currently, Khamesra is fulfilling his role as an advisor for JECRC University. He advises students and the young generation to work hard, gain knowledge, and broaden their mental horizon. On similar lines, he highlights the importance of the final stage in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs— Self-Actualization. Khamesra explains that Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has five stages: Physiological Needs, Safety Needs, Love & Belonging Needs, Esteem related needs and Self Actualization. Khamesra encourages focusing on ‘Self- Actualization’ early in life, rather than prioritizing the other four needs. Khamesra says only a few people achieve their self-actualisation naming personalities like Virat Kohli and Arijit Singh, who found their true passion in life. He strongly urges everyone to set their targets well in advance and strive to achieve them.

To conclude, Khamesra encourages everyone to keep progressing in their careers by continually learning at every stage. He also highlights the motto behind ‘Srajan The Spark’, which is built on the philosophy that 'there is no age to learn.' Through this platform, many individuals have discovered their true calling after being given the opportunity. Khamesra stresses that the youth should actively participate in diverse artistic fields such as art, culture, music, and literature to showcase their talents.

Additionally, Khamesra advises the younger generation not to focus solely on their professional careers but also to strive to become better citizens. He emphasizes that life should not be lived only for yourself, but for others as well. He draws a comparison between Western and Indian philosophies: where Western thinking focuses on self-improvement, assuming society will benefit as a result, Indian philosophy advocates working for the betterment of society, with the belief that personal benefits will follow naturally.

Prasanna Kumar Khamesra's journey exemplifies dedication, perseverance, and a deep commitment to both professional excellence and societal well-being. His career in law enforcement and initiatives in the arts through Srajan The Spark show his belief in continuous learning and personal growth. A key takeaway from his life is the importance of balance—balancing one's career with passion, serving society while pursuing personal goals, and never ceasing to learn. His philosophy teaches us to aim for self-actualization, not just for ourselves but for the betterment of others.