By Sunita Vijay
The union of Radha and Anil Raturi is a celestial bond, beautifully realised on earth. Like two beads strung on the same thread, they move in perfect harmony with each another. Radha, the first woman to serve as the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, exudes an aura of serene simplicity. In contrast, Anil Raturi, the former DGP, always impeccably dressed, now revels in his post-retirement phase as Commissioner of the Uttarakhand Right to Services Commission and passionately engages in writing. After a fearless and upright career in khaki, he now embraces the role his soul always yearned for – a writer.
Their story began at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad, where a spark ignited during their training days. They recognised in each other the qualities that make for a potent life partnership. Blessed with two daughters, Aparna and Shivani, who are well-settled in their respective careers, Radha and Anil have nurtured a bond that is truly inspiring. Mutual respect and understanding have been the cornerstones of their relationship, enabling them to balance highly demanding professional and personal lives. Their lifestyle remains simple, and their thoughts grounded.
INTERVIEW WITH RADHA RATURI
How has your upbringing and early life influenced the person you are today? Were there specific experiences or values instilled in you that guided your journey?
My parents were very liberal and never differentiated between a girl and a boy. They raised my sister and me with utmost love and respect in society, which gave us the confidence to choose our own paths. Just as a body needs both a head and a heart, my father enriched my knowledge and general awareness, while my mother instilled in me love, compassion, and empathy. My father was an avid reader with an intellectual mindset, discussing world history, philosophy, and current affairs at mealtimes. He provided us with a wealth of knowledge. My mother, on the other hand, was a loving soul who always sought to help those around her, whether it was domestic help or others in need. Fortunately, I inherited the best qualities from both.
What hobbies or activities do you indulge in to unwind from your responsibilities and maintain balance in your life?
Hobbies and interests are crucial for all of us. I consider myself lucky because my husband and I share very similar interests. We both enjoy reading and are passionate about music, which helps us maintain balance.
Could you share a memorable moment from your personal life that had a significant impact on your professional career?
Personal experiences invariably influence our professional lives. During my college years, I came across a quote that has stayed with me: “I was complaining that I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” This struck me deeply. So much so, that it continues to hang on a wall in my room. Later, as the Collector of Fatehpur in UP, I initiated a vigorous six-month survey to identify the needs of disabled individuals in the district. I coordinated with various departments and partnered with an organisation through CSR to provide prosthetics and aids tailored to their needs. For this effort, I was honoured. This experience allowed me to emulate the innate desire to help the less privileged, a value that was instilled in me during my upbringing.
How did you and your husband support each other’s demanding careers while managing family life?
Understanding is the key to any relationship – understanding the other person’s problems and worries. We were fortunate to both work within the All-India Cadre, where we could empathise with each other’s professional challenges without harbouring unfair expectations. Our jobs were demanding, but our priorities were clear—family and office. When the children were young, we avoided socialising, focusing instead on family. There were times when my husband took care of the children, and at other times, I did, depending on the situation. I recall when I was posted as DM, Tehri, and we wanted our children to study in Doon; my husband took on the role of both mother and father, ensuring they were cared for. My younger daughter at the time was just four years old and Anil took care of them like a mother, dropping the girls to school, grooming them, ensuring they have a good balanced diet, etc.
What message do you have for younger working couples?
Don’t let trivial matters upset you. We are all different, and it’s important to see a person in their entirety. Take a bird’s eye view if you see yourself getting too gripped up with tiny, unnecessary irritants. If you like nine things about someone, forget the tenth that might bother you. Don’t try to change the other person. For example, my husband used to smoke, which I came to know after marriage. I am allergic to cigarette smoke. I never asked him to quit; instead, I would leave the room when he smoked. Over time, he decided on his own to quit, especially when our daughter turned seven. Today, people often argue over small issues, but sometimes remaining quiet can be the best approach.
How do you manage frustration at the office?
By nature, I am calm and composed. I try not to get irritated easily. It’s all about controlling your anger. If you react, the situation worsens. I count to ten, which allows both myself and the other person to calm down. If you adhere to rules and laws, it’s not too difficult to convince others, though sometimes they are not persuaded. In such cases, it’s best to navigate the situation carefully. What annoys me most is when the poor and downtrodden are unnecessarily troubled by selfish individuals.
What are your post-retirement plans? How do you envision spending this new chapter of your life?
I don’t have any specific plans at the moment. I firmly believe in destiny—what will be, will be. I don’t worry about the future and live fully in the present. I enjoy staying at home, and if any post-retirement opportunities arise, I don’t mind being engaged. If not, I’ll continue to read and read. Our home is practically a library. I love cooking and embroidery, and I cherish the time I spend with my husband. We enjoy doing things together, from exercising to helping orphaned girls, which I will continue to do. They are my daughters – I visit them, support them in studies, and enable them to get a job.
How did you both meet, and what sparked your connection?
We met at the Hyderabad Police Academy. Our shared interests allowed us to understand each other deeply. My husband loves telling stories, particularly about his childhood in Mussoorie, and I love listening to them. He realised that I could understand him in a way that none of the other trainees could, and I believe that’s what brought us together.
INTERVIEW WITH ANIL RATURI
What was it like balancing the pressures of a high-stakes career in law enforcement with your personal life? Were there specific strategies you employed to maintain that balance?
In the police force, pressure comes from all directions. Maintaining balance is crucial. The foremost consideration is good health—no matter how sharp your mind, it must be housed in a well-maintained vehicle. I dedicated at least half an hour daily to exercise, even if it was late at night, much like recharging a mobile phone. Secondly, certain compromises must be made to meet the demands of pragmatism; you must know where to draw the line. Life is about the beauty of family—it is dharma, and it changes from moment to moment, requiring dynamic calibration. Posted with political approval makes things easier but if posted by merit, you must stay updated with laws, remain professionally astute, and always be alert to those who may try to topple you. It’s like walking a tightrope—balance and clearly defined priorities are essential, whether that means choosing between family or job at a particular moment. Remaining clean amid Machiavellian conspiracies and knowing when to be with my wife or attend to my child’s needs were central to my approach.
Can you share a bit about your journey into law enforcement? What motivated you to choose this career path?
I come from a humble background; my father had a small business, and in those days, government jobs were one of the few opportunities available. I never imagined I was cut out for civil services, but a colleague returned from writing the UPSC exam, and when I saw the paper, I could answer all the questions. That colleague qualified with marks lower than mine, so the next year, I sat for the exam and passed with good merit. I was an English literature student, quite idealistic, and had recently seen Ardh Satya, where Om Puri played Sub-Inspector Anant Velankar, an upright officer consumed by the system. In the film’s climax, he recites a poem on Chakravyuh, which inspired me to join the police service. My rank was good enough for the Foreign Service, but that would have distanced me from the common people, taking me to ethereal heights. I wanted to work at the grassroots level—zameen se judke kaam karna tha – an idealistic aspiration of a novice student!
What hobbies and passions have you developed over the years that have helped you stay grounded outside of work?
I always wanted to write, but the job consumed most of my time. I’ve written one book and am on the verge of completing my second. I was fortunate to study at St George’s in Mussoorie and was a good sportsperson, participating in football, hockey, cricket, athletics, and marathons. I was also a skilled skater and represented India at the International Championship in 1983. As a sportsperson, I can endure any hardship, sleep on the floor without bedding, and weather any conditions. In the police service, you’re constantly exposed to the harsh realities of life, which can cloud the pristineness of your soul. You need a mechanism to cleanse it daily. At times, I would come home frustrated, so I would go for a jog, listen to music, or sing a song to cleanse myself. I never stopped learning. At times your colleagues may be highly educated, but not good humans. To me, what matters most is the human element. I remember working with a 55-year-old constable, an upright and honest Jat, whom I would salute—he was just like God. In any job, while you are part of a system, it’s crucial to ensure that humility never leaves you.
Looking back, what do you believe were the key factors that defined your career and life choices?
The most important aspect of life is hard work. Luck plays its part, but consistent hard work requires discipline and integrity. You lose the value of things when they come too easily. What you achieve through hard work brings true happiness. Secondly, those in power must have compassion. I’ve always adhered to the law, and my disagreements have always been principled, never personal. If something wrong is destined to happen, it will, and we should not be fearful.
Were there things you missed doing while on the job?
I was a student of English literature, but while in uniform, I was bound by a code, and my fundamental rights were somewhat curtailed. As an ideal police officer, I had to mould myself accordingly. Now that I’m liberated, I feel like a free man, able to embrace my true self.
What was it about each other that sparked a connection?
Marriages, they say, are made in heaven. Some people are fortunate, others not. I looked for two things in my partner—a friend with whom I could share my aspirations and interests, and beauty, in the totality of a person. Beauty in totality is a rare thing, and Radha is a beautiful human being. The moment I met her, I knew we were meant to be together.
What advice would you give to younger couples?
First, know yourself—only then can you understand the other person. Don’t harbour illusions about your own aspirations. The rest is in God’s hands—providence, prarabdh, luck, whatever you may call it. The ability to understand people is a crucial aspect of human life.
Both Radha and Anil Raturi feel utterly content with their lives. They see the glass as overflowing and express deep gratitude to God. As Radha beautifully puts it, “Every day I wake up and express my gratitude to God for everything.”
In their presence, one is reminded of the profound beauty that lies in a life lived with purpose, integrity, and unwavering love. Their story is not just of individual achievements but of a shared journey, anchored in values and perfectly in sync with each other. It is a testament to the quiet strength found in mutual respect and the unspoken understanding that can only arise from a true partnership.
As I sat with them, listening to their tales woven with wisdom and humility, it became clear that the Raturis have mastered the art of living—where each day begins with gratitude, and each moment is a step in their shared dance of life. Their lives, much like their words, are a melody—simple yet profound, resonating with the deeper chords of the human spirit.
Pics: Mohtshim Khan/Bhumesh Bharti
