Women Of Influence brings ten untold stories of Indian Administrative Service officers who shaped governance under pressure. Spanning from 1965 to 2015, this nonfiction collection invites readers into the worlds of policy, public service, and courage, offering an inspiring portrait of leadership for adults and young adults with an interest in history, governance, and women's leadership.
Written as intimate portraits, the book presents ten profiles of IAS officers who confronted threats, bureaucracy, and prejudice with grit and grace. The journeys sweep from the Bikaner border during the 1965 Indo-Pak War to the complexities of governance in 2015 UP, touching Punjab during militancy, Naxal-prone Chandrapur, and moments of joyful learning in Karnataka, all the way to Arunachal’s orchid landscapes. Rajni Sekhri Sibal draws on three decades of civil service experience to illuminate the challenges and triumphs of being a woman in public service, highlighting episodes where courage and commitment made a difference in difficult times. The narratives also touch on timely policy arenas—disaster management, international cooperation, polio eradication, anti-human trafficking, and the resistance to technology in government—offering a rich, informative panorama without losing the human heart of each story.
- Ten profiles of influential women IAS officers across decades and geographies
- Vivid, narrative storytelling that blends history, policy, and personal resilience
- Key governance themes: disaster management, public health, anti-trafficking, resource governance, and technology adaptation
- Accessible lessons on leadership, courage, and public service for readers of all backgrounds
- Authored by Rajni Sekhri Sibal, offering an insider’s perspective drawn from a long career in the civil service
What readers gain after finishing Women Of Influence is a deeper appreciation for the people behind policy—the tenacity, ethics, and ingenuity that drive social change. The book leaves you feeling inspired, more connected to the complexities of governance, and confident that principled leadership can illuminate even the most challenging times.
