Additional Collector Maya Patole firmly believes that in every sphere of life the law grants women equal rights vis-a-vis their male counterparts. (Picture: The Voice of Malegaon)
When she was in school, the sight of a collector’s vehicle in her village would excite her to the hilt. Back then she didn’t even realise that this random fascination would soon turn into a dream of her life. And this is when she decided to enter the coveted world of the civil services. She tirelessly pursued her dream till it turned into a reality. In 2001, she cleared the MPSC exams in first attempt and became a Deputy Collector (No 19) through direct recruitment.
Meet Additional Collector Maya Patole who in an interview with Founder & Editor-In-Chief Ashfaque Ismail speaks her heart out on a host of issues. She talks about her life’s journey from her small village Karoli T in Sangli district to this far. Patole while sharing her personal experiences says how her late father stood behind her like a rock, how her husband has left an indelible mark on her life and how she has taken on challenges the life has thrown at her. Excerpts;
Q: Why the civil services? Was it your childhood dream or you developed this penchant in later part of your life? How supportive has been your family in helping you pursue your dream?
Ans: At the outset let me be frank and tell you that I have been good at my studies. My father Hambirrao Patole was in active politics and member of Sangli Zilla Parishad. I am one of his five kids — three sons and two daughters. One of my brothers is a lawyer, second one is a Talathi and the third one is into agro-business. My sister is running her sports equipment business in Bengaluru, her in-laws’ place.
I have been lucky enough to have a very supportive family especially my late father. He stood by my side like a rock, through the thick and thin till his last breath. When I was in school, on occasions I would get to see a collector’s vehicle in my village. I would get fascinated by this sight. Soon I realised I too was destined to be a civil servant. This is when I started to work towards achieving my goal.
Q: Could you tell us a little bit about your higher education?
Ans: When I told my father that I want to be a civil servant he told me that he will be fully by my side. In tenth standard, I came first in New English School, Karoli T. The school was started by my father. In the beginning it was just a single class school. As the time went by, it evolved into a full-fledged school. As I wanted to be in civil services I sought permission from my father to go to Mumbai and pursue my dream.
My father suggested instead of directly going to Mumbai I first move to Kolhapur. There I did Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. In 1995, I topped the Shivaji University, Kolhapur and bagged a gold medal. During 1995-97, I did M.A in Civics and Politics from the Mumbai University. After that I did a doctorate and at the same time prepared for the civil services.
Q: How did the civil services happen to you? Could you possibly tell us when did you crack the exams?
Ans: I take pride in saying that in the very first attempt I cracked the Maharashtra Public Services Commission (MPSC) exams. It was in 2001. I cleared the exams for a Deputy Collector and through a direct recruitment became one. In a career spanning over two decades, I have worked as a probationary officer, Tahsildar in Kurla, SDM in Murbad, District Rehabilitation Officer in Thane. I also took a first hand experience of a Talathi, a Circle Officer. This was during my initial days as a civil servant. Earlier my goal was to crack the UPSC exams. But as I cleared the state services in the first attempt I decided to move on.
Q: You have been touted as a ‘Rehabilitation Officer’ especially in Mumbai’s administrative circles. As GM (R&R), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd you managed to relocate 1,770 people and an additional 378 families. This was for laying Mumbai Metro Train 3 project on Colaba-Bandra Seepz route. How were you able to convince residents and shopkeepers into making way for a development project?
Ans: In a city like Mumbai mainly a place like Girgaum convincing people to give up their possession for a development project is not an easy task. People do not want to be relocated in far flung areas. Travelling from these places to the mainland is a big problem in Mumbai. Everybody wants to be relocated in the same locality. As the General Manager (Resettlement & Rehabilitation) Mumbai Metro Train Project 3, I held several rounds of talks with all the stakeholders. And after highlighting the importance of these projects we managed to convince them.
Q: But still don’t you think it takes some extra quality or effort to deal with people on such sensitive matters?
Ans: In 2002, I was given the task of rehabilitation of 200 old houses in Akkarpatti and Popharan villages in Thane (now Palghar) district. These two villages are known for fishing and agriculture respectively. Back then I was Deputy Collector (Rehabilitation) Phase III and Phase IV, Tarapur Nuclear Power Plant project.
I was given the responsibility of rehabilitating these people. So in my early days as a civil servant I started holding parleys with people for making way for development projects. This could be a reason why I managed to convince them. Besides, I personally believe human values should be given a precedence. You cannot just go and dislodge generations only for a development project. The rehabilitation has to be done in a humane manner.
Q: For Women’s Day would you like to give out a message? What tips would you give to women aspirants who want to make it big in the civil services?
Ans: To be honest with you, on a personal level I don’t endorse these women centric ideas or events. I think these ideas a sort of belittle women’s standing in society. Law grants women equal rights along with their male counterparts in every walk of life. Civil services are no exception.
More women should come forward and join civil services. They should understand their strength and surge ahead without fear or favour. A certain section in the society portrays women as a weaker gender. This practice is akin to meting out injustice to them. It is like depriving them of their lawful rights. Women should stay away from these negative dynamics. And stop thinking that they are the weaker gender.
Q: Lastly, could you tell us how you divide your time between work and family?
Ans: After my father, my husband has left a deep influence on me. These two gentlemen are driving force in my life. My husband is a writer. My kids are studying in schools in Mumbai. Every alternate weekend I go visit them at our house in Mumbai. And if it happens to be a long weekend coupled with a holiday I surely go meet them. And to maintain the austerity, I don’t travel by my official vehicle for my personal outstation trips. I prefer train to official vehicle to travel on these occasions.
