Meeting With Jagdish Shukla
This is the first interview, in my endeavour to talk of some outstanding personalities of The Forest. A session with Jagdish Shukla, a lighthouse in the Railway Engineering services, was a thrilling experience to know all about his personal side and professional achievements. He is a very good orator, narrator and organiser. Our session started on a lighter note.
Ques: Had you ever been punished by your class teacher to stand outside the class, holding your ears; doing sit up/stand ups or become a ‘murga’?
Reply: No Sir, no doubt thrashing by teacher for mistakes by students or asking to stand outside class was a common practice then but I was lucky to always do homework given by the teacher. In fact, teacher would say “If Jagdish can do it then why can’t you?” Rather this quality of mine made me their favourite and our class teacher promoted and guided me to prepare for a debate in my 6th standard. I stood first, few books were gifted and that inspired me to be a good debater all through my life. Of course I got beaten for some childish naughty behaviour at home.
Ques: Life takes a direction when we choose a profession?
Reply: I belonged to a small village Sapau in Mathura district; was a brilliant student during school days, and holder of National scholarship by securing a top position. This helped me to continue my studies with University of Roorkee (now an IIT). Professionally I joined IRSE of 1970 batch with Railways.
Ques: It was a good beginning; there must be plenty of achievements during service?
Reply: Now I wonder how a boy from a small village had the courage to face all challenges of life and profession. Of course these are unlimited, just to mention a selected few, I was Chief Engineer Design, CE construction Mumbai suburban, Allahabad, Jammu Udhampur new Rail line, Principal CE. Founder MD of Rail Vikas Nigam and many positions, one after the other, I was President of NR Railway Sports Association. Had the guts to remove an age-old encroachment of Jhuggi cluster and established a Golf Course in Chanakya Puri.
Ques: Jagdish Ji during all these outstanding tenures you must have been awarded in appreciation of all these achievements?
Reply: Not one or two, you check the space of your article may not fall short so I narrate very few (laughed). President APJS Kalam awarded me and also reappointed as Member Admin in CAT and presently I am working as Arbitral Tribunal.
At this stage enters Ms. Shulka coffee and cookies. She is the lady behind JS’s success! A disciplined, well mannered, polite and soft spoken person, knowing the gravity of the subject she immediately left.
Ques: Indian Railways have earned a very good name due to engineers like you. Have you ever travelled abroad officially beside visits to meet your children?
Reply: Certainly! I was in Mozambique, SE Africa, for the rehabilitation of their railways system; visited Manchester Business School for lectures; have been to more than 45 countries on various assignments including UK, France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, Russia and China.”
Our session ended with a final handshake of thanks!
by Kunwar S Vishal (201 Ridgewood, the Forest; 9818690006)
