IAS Sonal Goel Repurposes Buses As Mobile Grocery Shops In Gurugram

The preparation for IAS requires not only intelligence but also necessitates perseverance. Know to be one of the toughest exams to crack, only a small fraction of the aspirants pass the UPSC exam and procced to take the two-year-training. The zeal to serve the people is a must for every IAS officer. This fervor is quite evident in the officers who have been fighting against the coronavirus. In our series celebrating female IAS bravehearts of our country today we feature Sonal Goel who has repurposed buses as mobile grocery shops in Gurugram.

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An undeterred aspirant

It was in her third year of graduation from Shri Ram College of Commerce, that Goel realized that she wanted to join the civil services. Given the lack of certainty of selection that is associated with the UPSC, her father wanted her to have a backup plan. She thus completed her CS, enrolled for LLB and then started preparing for the UPCS. In the first attempt, however, she did not receive an interview call but this did not dampen her spirits. Undeterred, she sat again for the exam and secured an AIR 13. After completing her training she was posted in Tripura, where she served for about seven years.

She started a campaign called 'Nandini' in the district that entailed the building of creche for children of working women.

Tenure in Tripura

During her posting in Tripura, she handled various roles ranging from Assistant Collector to District magistrate before being transferred to Haryana. The officer is renowned in the Gomati district for her stringent policymaking and responsible enforcement. She mainly worked for the upliftment of women and girls. She started a campaign called 'Nandini' in the district that entailed the building of creche for children of working women. Moreover, she worked to improve the condition of Anganwadi in the district and ensured that girls were allowed to attend these. She is also known for her work under the  Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.

Recognition

Goel is a recipient of several awards because of her excellence in the field. She has been facilitated with the National MGNREGA award from MORD, GoI, District Collector Digital Champion Award and National Digital India Award, among others. Added to this, her initiative 'Nandini' has been recognized as the Best Practice on Civil Services Day by the Govt. of Tripura. Also, during her tenure as the CEO Smart City Faridabad, it was selected as the 'Fastest moving city' under Swacch Survekshan 2017 by MOUD GoI. As the District collector of Jhajjar, she was presented with the 'Outstanding Woman Administrator Award', among various others.

Goel has donated one month's salary to the Haryana Corona Relief Fund.

Also Read: IAS Beela Rajesh: The Health Secretary Handling COVID-19 In Tamil Nadu

Fight against the coronavirus

The officer is currently posted as the CEO of Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Limited (GMCBL). She donated one month's salary to the Haryana Corona Relief Fund and also motivated the employees to donate their one day's salary to it as well. Apart from this monetary aid, the officer came up with the innovative idea of using public buses under GMCBL as mobile grocery shops. She has recently enforced this trial to ensure that nobody is deprived of necessities in these grim times.

Saavriti is an intern at SheThePeople.TV