New election panel chief’s journey began in Hoshiarpur
HOSHIARPUR: As Sunil Arora takes over as the chief election commissioner (CEC) on Saturday, there is a reason for Hoshiarpur to rejoice.
The 1980-batch Rajasthancadre Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer, who retired in 2016, started his journey from this town.
Arora is the eldest of four siblings, three of whom are in civil services. Born to Nasib Chand, an accounts officer in the Indian Railways, and Pushp Lata, an academician, Arora studied at the local Vidya Mandir School, DAV School, DAV College and Government College.
He cracked the civil services examination in his first attempt in 1978 and got selected for the Indian Police Services. Two years later, he made it to the IAS.
“I never joined any coaching classes,” recalls Arora, talking to HT over phone.
His younger brother Sanjiv Arora is a diplomat presently posted in Lebanon while another one, Rajiv Arora, is a Haryana-cadre IAS officer. The latter’s wife, Jyoti Arora, is also an IAS officer.
“We siblings were lucky to be born to very diligent parents. My mother did her postgraduation in English from University College (now Hoshiarpur Government College) at a time when very few women pursued higher studies,” says Arora. “My brothers too have been toppers throughout. We got a very positive and conducive environment at home. Our parents always inspired us to pursue our dreams.”
OLD TIES ALIVE
Arora is running a scholarship scheme in his mother’s name for industrious and needy students of the local DAV College, the institution where she served for many years as the head of girls’ section and a professor in English.
“Memories of Hoshiarpur are embedded in my heart. The scholarship scheme is one of the means to keep the old ties alive,” says Arora.
Nostalgic on receiving congratulatory calls from old acquaintances in Hoshiarpur, he says: “God has always been kind to me. His blessings in form of well-wishers have always helped me take the right path.”
Visiting the town only occasionally now, Arora says he always looks forward to meet his friends and teachers.
“For the time being, my focus is on the 2019 Lok Sabha and assembly elections,” he says.
‘HUMBLE, HUMANE’
Meanwhile, Arora’s friends recall him as a “friend of friends”. One of his closest pals, with whom he has been in constant touch, Deshbir Sharma, a retired principal, says Arora embodies both humility and humanity.
“He is always eager to help others, but without bending rules. It is rare to come across a person of his stature who is so humble,” he says.
DL Anand, who retired as the principal of DAV College and had taught Arora, said the new CEC made a name for himself with sheer hard work. “His mother, who was my colleague, had a great influence on him. He has made our institute proud,” says Anand, adding that Arora was also good in extra-curricular activities.