On Bureaucracy, Politics, and Purpose-Driven Governance
In this powerful and personal address, Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner of Meghalaya’s Health Department, shares his journey from clearing one of the world’s toughest exams to navigating the nuanced challenges of Indian bureaucracy. Speaking candidly about the romanticism of joining the IAS, the harsh reality of building credibility in troubled regions, and the frustrations of transfers, he emphasizes the need to align with political leadership to create long-term impact. He shares how working collaboratively led to institutional innovations like India’s first Social Audit legislation in Meghalaya and its exceptional investment in healthcare. Drawing from his own emotional struggles during transitions, Kumar reminds us that public servants are human too, and that real transformation demands empathy, endurance, and structural support.
