A man of many interests
MUSHARRAF FARUQUI, COLLECTOR AND DISTRICT MAGISTRATE OF NIRMAL DISTRICT, IS FOCUSSED ON BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND KEEPING INDIA ABREAST OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS
As a child, Musharraf Faruqui was naughty and couldn’t spend too much time with his textbooks. Back then, there was this mad rush to get maximum marks as children were only assessed by their marks, and not their aptitude, ability or knowledge. But Musharraf’s parents were confident of his abilities. They believed that their son would do well in whatever career he chose. This belief propelled Musharraf into putting in hard work and joining the bureaucrats brigade.
“My parents often used to tell me to be committed in whatever I chose to do,” says Musharraf. And so, the naughty boy, who endured his share of punishment at school, secured 85 per cent in the SSC exam, and went on to crack the Civil Services examination. “The best part of my job is the tremendous satisfaction that I carry home every day — that of being useful to people, helping the needy and being able to make my small contribution for the betterment of society,” smiles the IAS officer who is currently the Collector and District Magistrate of Nirmal District.
A typical Hyderabadi, Musharraf grew up in Himayatnagar. During his school days, he was more interested in
outdoor
activities. “I played a lot of cricket in our lanes, at LB Stadium and the then Nizam College grounds. I also learned swimming and tennis,” recalls the 2013 batch officer.
Unlike many others, mathematics came easily to him. Helped by the confidence his parents had in him, and their support, Musharraf took a degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering, topping his batch at the Muffakam Jah College of Engineering and Technology. He went on to do his Masters in Micro-Electronics from IIT Madras and then joined Intel Corporation, where he worked as a chip design engineer on its server-processors. He resigned after clearing the Civil Services exam.
Musharraf trained in Mussoorie till 2016; he has fond memories of that time. “There were trainees from all over the country. We learnt team building, enjoyed and celebrated,” he recalls. It was in Mussourie that he developed a passion for trekking and adventure sports. Cross-country running, rockclimbing, horse-riding — he does it all. The IAS officer is a longdistance runner, and keeps up regular practice. “I have completed three full marathons and countless half-marathons,” says Musharraf, who also likes to play tennis. Officials and staff who work with him at his different postings often get inspired by his fitness routine.
“I strongly believe that outdoor sport and workouts affect my work positively. They enhance my physical and mental fitness, which results in greater efficiency at work,” shares the IAS officer.
But he’s not devoted to sports only. He picked up the reading habit when he was doing his post-graduation, and continues to pursue it. He feels reading imparts a lot more knowledge than what one learns at work. “It gives better perspective, and offers the opportunity of learning from somebody who knows much more in his/her domain,” says Musharraf who mostly reads while travelling. “I give high priority to my hobbies,” he adds.
Being a trained engineer, electronics and ICT have always fascinated him. “Lack of proper technology hinders us from achieving goals in many areas. I have utilised every opportunity at my postings to bridge this gap,” says the IAS officer, who was the brain behind making the Nirmal Collectorate 100% paperless (e-office). He is also credited with bringing-in participatory governance and the man behind the Charminar pedistrianisation project, when he was serving as the Zonal Commissioner of GHMC. The Charminar Pedestrianisation Project is one of Musharraf ’s major achievements. He along with other senior officials was engaged in the process of applying on behalf of Hyderabad to the UNESCO creative cities network in the gastronomy category.
“My work keeps me busy 24x7. I spend about an hour on my hobbies every day and the rest is dedicated to work,” shares Musharraf.
Had he not been a bureaucrat, what would Musharraf be today?
“I would have continued to work with Intel for some time and then moved on to something that could narrow the digital divide in our country and improve the overall quality of life for the most needy,” he says.
The bureaucrat’s father Murtuza Ali worked in the
The bureaucrat’s father Murtuza Ali worked in the Prohibition and Excise Department while his mother Nazia is a homemaker. He has three sisters. When it comes to food preferences, Musharraf is a typical Hyderabadi who loves his biryani and Haleem
My work keeps me busy 24x7. I spend about an hour on my hobbies every day and the rest is dedicated to work
Prohibition and Excise Department while his mother Nazia is a home-maker. He has three sisters. When it comes to food preferences, Musharraf is a typical Hyderabadi who loves his biryani and Haleem. “I’m a foodie and love Hyderabadi non-veg food. My breakfast is heavy but I keep dinner light,” he says. He also works out for an hour a day – this could take the form of running, playing tennis or a gym session. “Working out is the best stress-buster for me. So I see that I don’t go without it for long,” he says.
The IAS officer watches all kinds of movies and listens to a lot of music too — “the genres depend on the mood of the moment and
the people around me,” he
smiles.
Author: Hernan Diaz Publisher: Riverhead Books
The book is a literary puzzle revolving around wealth, love, trust, intimacy, and perceptions. Circa 1920. Everyone in New York has heard of Benjamin and Helen Rask, the legendary Wall Street tycoon. She is the daughter of eccentric aristocrats. The duo is at the top of the world with all their wealth. But at what cost?
Diaz weaves an elegant mystery with riveting narratives into the conversation. The novel spans over a century and has some startling revelations. Diaz’s TRUST keeps the reader engaged from the first page to the last in the quest for the truth and deceptions. Diaz shows us the harsh reality of how easy it is to misuse power to manipulate facts and figures.
BUZZY AND ENTHRALLING …A GLORIOUS NOVEL ABOUT EMPIRES AND ERASURES, HUSBANDS AND WIVES, STAGGERING FORTUNES AND UNSPEAKABLE MISERY…FUN AS HELL TO READ.