Beyond The Heaven-Born Service: My Journey From The IAS to Philanthropy, Beyond The Heaven-Born Service: My Journey From The IAS to Philanthropy

In this candid memoir, Pushpa Sundar shares her transformative journeyfrom a dedicated IAS officer to a pioneering figure in Indian philanthropy. Shereflects on the influences that shaped her worldview while growing up in the1950s in Nagpur, a city rich in historical significance as the birthplace of theRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Sundar deftly explores the complexities of herenvironment, marked by influential figures like V.D. Savarkar and the ideals ofMahatma Gandhi.Sundar's narrative unfolds through her college years at prestigious institutions,including the Delhi School of Economics, during the sixties. She examines thevibrant reimagining of Lutyens' Delhi and describes Prime Minister JawaharlalNehru's efforts to showcase independent India's aspirations with landmarkslike the Ashoka Hotel.During her tenure in the IAS, Sundar balances a demanding career with herroles as a wife and mother. She candidly discusses the challenges of being awoman in the service and the factors that led her to resign. She also highlightsthe contributions of luminaries like Verghese Kurien, the architect of theAmul revolution, and others she met while posted in Gujarat, who have leftan indelible mark on Indian society.Beyond the Heaven-born Service also examines Sundar's long tenure with theFord Foundation in the seventies, spotlighting the impact of the controversialForeign Contributions Regulation Act, enacted by the Indira Gandhi regime in1976.Pushpa Sundar's experiences and insights, both within India and abroad, makethis book more than just a memoir; they inspire a new generation-especiallywomen-to redefine success on their own terms.