- Dr. Heera Lal Patel, an IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh, was honored with the ‘Impact Beyond Measure CSR Award’ on March 27, 2025, for his work in sustainable governance and inclusive development.
- He was born in July 1967 in Bagdeeh, Basti, Uttar Pradesh, and has a background in electrical engineering, with advanced degrees in public administration and governance.
- His notable achievements include water conservation in Banda, increasing voter turnout, prison reforms, and the Model Gaon initiative for rural development.
- He currently serves as Special Secretary, Department of Irrigation, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and is also the CEO of WDC-PMKSY 2.0.
- An unexpected detail is his authorship of “Dynamic DM,” a book offering insights into his role as a district magistrate, which has been translated into multiple languages.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Heera Lal Patel was born in July 1967 in the rural village of Bagdeeh, District Basti, Uttar Pradesh. Growing up in a modest environment, he faced the hardships of rural life, which shaped his understanding of community needs. He completed his early education in local schools and later earned a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. His passion for public service led him to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from Maxwell School, Syracuse University, USA, and a Ph.D. in “Role of ICT in Achieving Good Governance” from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow. He is currently pursuing a D.Litt. on “Role of Communication in Achieving Good Governance” from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, UP.
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Career and Achievements
Dr. Patel began his professional journey as an engineer at NTPC in March 1993 before joining the IAS, where he has served for over three decades in various capacities within the Government of Uttar Pradesh. His roles include Managing Director of UP Small Industry Corporation, Special Secretary in multiple departments, and District Magistrate of Banda from 2018 to 2020. Currently, he is the Special Secretary, Department of Irrigation, Government of UP, and also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of WDC-PMKSY 2.0, leading initiatives in land development, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
His tenure as DM of Banda was marked by transformative projects:
- Water Conservation: He increased groundwater levels by 1.34 meters and boosted crop productivity by 18.5% through rainwater harvesting and water body protection, earning him the nickname “Waterman of Banda.”
- Voter Turnout: His campaigns raised voting percentages by over 10%, earning recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Prison Reforms: He implemented measures to improve inmate rehabilitation and skill development.
- Malnutrition Eradication: The Banda Suposhan Karyakram aimed to ensure child nutrition, addressing undernutrition in a district of 1.8 million people.
Dr. Patel also initiated the Model Gaon project, aiming to transform villages into financially viable, socially equitable, and eco-friendly models, supported by the ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth.
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Recognition and Legacy
On March 27, 2025, Dr. Patel was conferred the ‘Impact Beyond Measure CSR Award’ at Raj Bhavan, Goa, by Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai and Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai, recognizing his alignment with Viksit Bharat 2047. Beyond this, he is a celebrated author of “Dynamic DM,” a book detailing his experiences as a district magistrate, which has gained popularity among civil service aspirants and been translated into languages like Gujarati.
Detailed Biography of Dr. Heera Lal Patel
Dr. Heera Lal Patel, an IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh Cadre, has emerged as a pivotal figure in Indian public administration, particularly noted for his innovative approaches to governance and rural development. His recent honor, the ‘Impact Beyond Measure CSR Award’ on March 27, 2025, at Raj Bhavan, Goa, underscores his significant contributions to sustainable governance and inclusive development, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. This award, presented by Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai and Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai, highlights his role as the Chief Executive Officer of WDC-PMKSY 2.0, where he has led transformative initiatives in land development, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
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Early Life and Educational Background
Dr. Patel was born in July 1967 in Bagdeeh, a small village in District Basti, Uttar Pradesh, India. His childhood, spent in the scarcity and hardships of a rural environment, instilled in him a deep understanding of rural challenges. He completed his primary education up to class 5 at Primary Pathshala, Sihari, Basti (1972-1976), and middle education from Kishan High School Rasulpur, Tareta, Basti (1977-1979). His secondary education was at Government Inter College (G.I.C.), Basti (1980-1984). Pursuing higher education, he earned a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand (1985-1989), and started an M.Tech in Power Electronics at IIT B.H.U. Varanasi (1989-1993, project incomplete). His academic journey continued with an MPA from Maxwell School, Syracuse University, USA (2009-2010), a Ph.D. on “Role of ICT in Achieving Good Governance” from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow (2015-2020), and he is currently pursuing a D.Litt. on “Role of Communication in Achieving Good Governance” from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, UP.
Professional Career and Key Positions
Dr. Patel’s career began as an engineer at NTPC in March 1993, marking the start of over three decades of public policy and administrative experience. His transition to the IAS saw him take on various senior roles within the Government of Uttar Pradesh, including:
| Position | Details |
|---|---|
| Managing Director, UP Small Industry Corporation | Kanpur, focused on industrial development |
| Special Secretary, Culture and Director, Culture | Promoted cultural activities and heritage |
| Managing Director, UPDESCO | Led development projects in UP |
| Special Secretary, Rural Development | Focused on rural infrastructure and welfare |
| Regional Food Controller, Faizabad Division | Managed food distribution and supply |
| Special Secretary, Labour | Addressed labor welfare and policies |
| Special Secretary, Home Guard | Enhanced security and emergency response |
| District Magistrate, Banda | Served from August 31, 2018, to February 24, 2020, implementing key initiatives |
| Current Role | Special Secretary, Department of Irrigation, GoUP; CEO, WDC-PMKSY 2.0 |
His current roles emphasize irrigation, water management, and sustainable agricultural practices, reflecting his commitment to long-term development.
Notable Achievements and Initiatives
Dr. Patel’s tenure as District Magistrate of Banda was transformative, with several initiatives that left a lasting impact:
- Water Conservation Efforts: In Banda, he launched campaigns to clean and protect water bodies, introducing rainwater harvesting. These efforts resulted in a groundwater level increase of 1.34 meters and a crop productivity boost of 18.5%, earning him the moniker “Waterman of Banda” (Former DM Heera Lal who solved parched Banda’s water crisis).
- Voter Turnout Campaigns: His awareness drives increased voting percentages by over 10%, notably recognized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a national address, highlighting his ability to mobilize communities .
- Prison Reforms: As DM, he explored measures to positively impact inmates’ lives, focusing on rehabilitation and skill development, aligning with his broader vision of inclusive governance (Impact Stories).
- Malnutrition Eradication: The Banda Suposhan Karyakram aimed to ensure child nutrition, addressing undernutrition in a district of 1.8 million, with detailed strategies outlined in his initiatives .
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Beyond Banda, Dr. Patel conceptualized the Model Gaon initiative, inspired by his dream to transform villages into financially viable, socially equitable, and eco-friendly models. This non-profit effort, supported by the ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth, involves learning tours for rural entrepreneurs, sending village heads to model villages like Ralegan-Siddhi and Hivade Bazar to acquire practical knowledge (Transforming villages for a developed India). His work on Model Gaon 2.0 aims to create global villages, emphasizing sustainable development .
Authorship and Public Engagement
Dr. Patel is also a celebrated author, with “Dynamic DM” providing a rare inside view of a district magistrate’s life. The book, co-authored with Kumud Verma, has been translated into Gujarati and other languages, gaining popularity among civil service aspirants for its insights into governance and preparation (Hindi Best-Selling Book ‘Dynamic DM‘ launched in Gujarati). His public engagement extends to social media, where he shares updates on his initiatives, and he is a sought-after speaker on topics like climate action and rural transformation.
Awards and Recognition
The ‘Impact Beyond Measure CSR Award’ on March 27, 2025, is a testament to his contributions, recognizing his leadership in sustainable governance and inclusive development. This award, organized by the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa, in collaboration with Mindcube Services Limited, was presented at a distinguished ceremony at Raj Bhavan, Goa (IAS Officer Dr. Heera Lal Honored with Impact Beyond Measure CSR Award). His work has also been listed in the Limca Book of Records for water conservation, and he received the National Youth Day Award 2025 from the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram.
Personal Traits and Legacy
Described as a change maker, devoted people’s person, and avid learner, Dr. Patel’s journey reflects hard work, honesty, and lifelong learning. His ability to integrate roles from changemaker to climate activist showcases his multifaceted impact. Coming from humble beginnings, his desire to excel has taken him to the highest echelons of bureaucracy, where he continues to inspire through his passion, compassion, and empathy.
In conclusion, Dr. Heera Lal Patel’s biography is a narrative of resilience, innovation, and dedication to public service, leaving a lasting legacy in rural development and governance in India.
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