Radha Raturi Career

Radha Raturi Becomes Uttarakhand’s First Woman Chief Secretary

Uttarakhand witnessed a historic moment on January 31 as Radha Raturi, a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer, assumed the role of Chief Secretary, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the state. Raturi, previously serving as the Additional Chief Secretary, now takes the reins of leadership until March this year. This marks a significant departure from the norm, as no woman has previously occupied the Chief Secretary position since Uttarakhand’s establishment as a separate state.

Radha Raturi’s professional journey led her to this groundbreaking achievement. She originally belonged to the Madhya Pradesh cadre but later transitioned to the Uttarakhand cadre, ranking at the bottom in her ’88 batch. Despite the initial ranking, her dedication and service over 36 years propelled her to become the most senior bureaucrat in the Uttarakhand IAS cadre.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami approved Raturi’s promotion on January 30, making her the 18th Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand. While her tenure is relatively short, lasting less than two months, her elevation emphasizes the significance of recognizing women’s contributions in administrative leadership roles.

Raturi’s diverse administrative experience includes serving as the Additional Chief Secretary for Women Empowerment, State Chief Electoral Officer, and District Magistrate. Her commitment to public service aligns with that of her husband, Anil Raturi, a retired 1987-batch Indian Police Services officer who served as the Director General of Police in Uttarakhand.

This historic appointment reflects a positive step toward inclusivity and gender diversity in top administrative positions. Radha Raturi’s achievements stand as a testament to the changing landscape of leadership, paving the way for more women to take on prominent roles in the future.

_{Repurposed article originally published in She the People}