A Legacy of Leadership and Compassion

John Wooden, the legendary NCAA Basketball coach, once said, “Being a Role Model is the most powerful form of educating.” Kashmir’s first Muslim IAS Officer, Mohammad Shafi Pandit, embodied this wisdom through his selfless public service, guided by unwavering values, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations.

In the winter of 2010, I participated in the UPSC Scholarship Test at Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, organized by the ASCENT GROUP under the mentorship of Shafi Sir. At the time, I had just appeared for the JKAS Interview, and my aspiration to take the UPSC Exam was bolstered by this opportunity. After the scholarship test, Shafi Sir’s interaction with the young aspirants sparked a renewed sense of hope in qualifying for one of the toughest exams in the country.

I was fortunate to be among 10 aspirants selected for residential civil services coaching at Hajj House, Jammu, under the ASCENT Group. Leaving the valley behind while working as a House Surgeon at the Department of Orthopaedics, Bone and Joint Hospital, Srinagar, I joined the coaching program guided by Shafi Sir, an experience that profoundly shaped my career.

At Hajj House, Jammu, Shafi Sir devoted his time and energy to ensure we received the best preparation, arranging for civil servants to deliver lectures and motivational talks. Although my stay at Hajj House was brief—cut short by my selection for JKAS in 2011—I continued to visit the ASCENT GROUP in Srinagar, often guiding young aspirants during public holidays. Every interaction with Shafi Sir rekindled my passion for cracking the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Shafi Sir’s career was remarkable.

He began as a lecturer in Geology at Amar Singh College and achieved All India Fifth Rank in the IAS Exam, becoming Kashmir’s first Muslim IAS Officer. His public service included key roles such as Deputy Commissioner of Doda, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Social Welfare, Additional Chief Secretary of J&K, and Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC).

A postgraduate in Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota, he introduced the “Single Line Administration” model, streamlining decision-making and expediting government services. As Divisional Commissioner, he earned respect for regulating wedding extravagance and controlling market prices. His work as Joint Secretary was crucial in publishing the Mandal Commission Report on affirmative action, and as Chairman of JKPSC (2004–2009), he ensured merit-based candidate selection.

Even after retirement, Shafi Sir remained dedicated to societal causes. His wife, Nighat Shafi Pandit, chairs the HELP Foundation, supporting destitute women and orphaned children affected by conflict. While preparing for my UPSC Interview in 2016, I was inspired to see a poster of him as the elected President of the Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI). He also served as President of the Central Government Pensioner’s Welfare Association (CGPWA), where my father often discussed his impactful welfare initiatives. His enduring influence continues to inspire those committed to public service and social betterment.

By: Dr Ruvedha Salam, Deputy Commissioner, Income Tax, Jammu