Shivdular Singh Dhillon, IAS (Retd)
He did his BA (Hons) in English in which he topped in the University, and MA (English) from Punjab University. He has been a keen Sportsman and Debater, having won a Gold in the National Shooting Championship, he also has won numerous prizes and trophies in various Debates and Declamations across the major Universities of North India, as well as in the Universities of Hull and Cambridge in UK. He has delivered talks and lectures on varied subjects ranging from Literature, Ethics, Heritage Conservation, Culture, History, and Tourism to Management and eGovernance amongst others, at various Universities, Business Schools and other fora across India, and abroad.
He started his career as a Probationary Officer in the State Bank, having topped in the Country in the competitive examination held for this post. Thereafter, he joined the State Civil Service and has held various posts in the Administration and Departments like Transport, Power, Local Bodies, Infrastructure Development, Excise & Taxation, Sports, Rural Development, Tourism & Culture, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and has headed various Departments, Boards, Foundations, Trusts and Corporations. He also headed the districts of Fatehgarh Sahib and Amritsar as Deputy Commissioner.
He was the first State Civil Service Officer in the Country to have been sent by the Govt. of India for a long term Foreign Training. During this, he did his MBA with Distinction from the University of Hull in U.K.
During his career he has been known and acknowledged as an Officer of unimpeachable integrity, honesty and competence. His services have won him numerous Appreciations and Accolades from the highest quarters and he has been conferred the State Award by the Governor of Punjab and has also received numerous Awards at the national level from the Government of India as well as various bodies and organizations. He has represented the Country at various international events in diverse fields.
A widely travelled person, he has visited more than 35 countries. Basically a nature lover, he is also an avid trekker and has trekked over more than 4000 kms across the Shivaliks, Dhauladhars, Himalayas, Alps and the Rockies, and has done the west coast to east coast walk across UK. A voracious reader, he also dabbles in poetry and has won the ‘International Poet of Merit Award’ from the USA.
After superannuating from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), he was appointed as Advisor in the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, by the Govt. of Punjab. Presently he is the Secretary & Chief Executive of Punjab State Red Cross, He is also a Member of the National Managing Body of Indian Red Cross, in which capacity he represented India in the Commonwealth Conference on International Humanitarian Law at Pretoria, South Africa in April this year. An Observer, at the UNESCO World Heritage Meeting in July 2024, he is also on the Boards of various Foundations and Trusts. A packed schedule notwithstanding, he does take out some time to be involved with quite a few NGOs for various social causes too After superannuating from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), he was appointed as Advisor in the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, by the Govt. of Punjab. Presently he is the Secretary & Chief Executive of Punjab State Red Cross, He is also a Member of the National Managing Body of Indian Red Cross, in which capacity he represented India in the Commonwealth Conference on International Humanitarian Law at Pretoria, South Africa in April this year. An Observer, at the UNESCO World Heritage Meeting in July 2024, he is also on the Boards of various Foundations and Trusts. A packed schedule notwithstanding, he does take out some time to be involved with quite a few NGOs for various social causes too.