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Srinagar: “From the valleys to the nation, DC Kupwara sets a benchmark in Governance. Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”
This quote resonates deeply with the extraordinary journey of Ayushi Sudan, (IAS) Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, who on Monday received a prestigious award from Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi for her outstanding contribution in public administration, specifically in the category of Holistic Development of Districts.
The entire district Kupwara and the broader region of Kashmir beams with pride, as this recognition marks a significant milestone, not only for Ayushi Sudan (IAS) as a professional but also for Kupwara as a district that has been steadily climbing the ladder of development under her visionary leadership.
Her tenure as Deputy Commissioner Kupwara has been marked by a relentless pursuit of development with a human touch. Her people-friendly and proactive approach, both with the general public and departmental heads, has not only won hearts but also accelerated the pace of governance. A young and dynamic officer with a deep sense of duty.
She has proven that transformational leadership doesn’t necessarily need decades of experience, it requires clarity of vision, empathy, and an iron will to bring about change. From the grassroots to governance, she has carved a path of excellence that touches every sector and every citizen. The narrative of Kupwara’s transformation is rooted in her philosophy,
“From basics to best, from base to level.” She believes in fixing foundational issues before reaching for bigger goals. Her administrative style focuses on sustainable development, accountability, and service delivery at every level of government. She has touched every department with her signature energy and strategic approach. Whether it is Agriculture, Horticulture, Health, Education, Power Development Department, Public Health Engineering, R&B, BEACON, or others, her presence has been unparalleled and transformative.
However, her primary focus areas remained Health, Education, and Agriculture, as she believes these are the pillars of a thriving rural economy and a well-functioning society. Under her leadership, these sectors witnessed unprecedented growth and integration with innovation and technology.
In Kupwara education sector has seen a quantum leap under her leadership. Acting upon her detailed and visionary directives, the Chief Education Office Kupwara embarked on a massive mission to modernize and digitize education. 325 Smart Classrooms were established in the district, redefining the learning experience and making education more interactive and accessible.
Touching the new heights of Technology 5 Robotic Labs, first time in Kupwara, were set up in Keran, Machil, Tangdhar, Kupwara, and Handwara. These labs now serve as beacons of 21st-century education in one of the most geographically and logistically challenging districts of the country. Infrastructural gaps were addressed with the installation of smart furniture, power backups, and inverters, ensuring schools are equipped to function smoothly in all seasons.
Digital Learning Resources, capacity-building programs for teachers, Zimmadari 2.0 a revolutionary academic start-up and community-driven initiatives have created a ripple effect across the education ecosystem in Kupwara. Her contribution to the education sector is not only visible in statistics but also felt in the renewed enthusiasm among students and teachers alike. Indeed, her legacy in this sector is bound to be remembered for generations.
Agriculture, the backbone of Kupwara’s economy, received a significant push under her administration. Through convergence of schemes and on-ground inspections, she ensured that the farmers of Kupwara were not left behind in the wave of modernization. Introduction of high-yield variety seeds and organic farming techniques. She ensured timely distribution of fertilizers and farming equipment. Promoted horticulture-based livelihoods and value addition initiatives. Introduced awareness programs to educate farmers on weather-based advisory services and market linkages.
She transformed the agriculture department into a citizen-service oriented body where grievances were heard, and solutions were delivered with transparency and speed.
In our Kupwara where terrain and weather often act as natural barriers, healthcare remains a challenging sector. But challenges never deterred her as her hands-on and result-oriented interventions made healthcare both accessible and efficient. During her tenure many Primary Health Centres and Sub-Centres in remote areas have been upgraded.
Improved maternal and child healthcare services, with special drives for immunization and nutrition. Promoted mental health awareness in schools and colleges. She Ensured availability of emergency services, ambulances, and mobile health units even in far-flung areas like Karnah, Keran, and Machil.
One of the strongest pillars of her success has been her ability to synchronize development across departments. She held frequent review meetings, ensured coordination among officers, and encouraged inter-departmental collaboration. SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) campaigns with a difference, ensuring that voter awareness reaches every corner of the district.
The Back to Village (B2V) program was transformed into an actionable platform, not a mere formality. She ensured that feedback from the public was translated into tangible administrative actions. She emphasized transparency in administration through digitization, e-offices, and grievance redressal systems. She focused on gender inclusion, encouraging women participation in governance, entrepreneurship, and social service which touched the heart of every individual.
One of the most endearing qualities is her accessibility and empathy. She listens to people. From villagers in border areas to youth in towns, she interacts regularly with the public, hears their concerns, and acts upon them swiftly. Whether it’s addressing the issues of border residents, empowering youth and students, or creating livelihood opportunities through rural entrepreneurship, her every action reflects foresight and inclusivity.
Today, as she stood before the Prime Minister of India to receive the award for excellence in Holistic District Development, the entire Kupwara district stood tall in collective pride. This award is not just a recognition of her work but also a reflection to the resilience, cooperation, and spirit of the people.
About the Author: Javeed Abdullah is a writer, an academician, author, columnist, District Coordinator Education and a stage-host. He can be reached at
