When Integrity Becomes Institutional Strength

Institutions endure not only because of their systems but also because of officers like Dr. Shashikant Mangrulkar, whose integrity and leadership earn public trust.

Amidst a lot of talk about the election commission and various allegations by opposition leaders of different political parties, there are a few examples of election officials who are handling the tense situations with a much more composed, calm, and balanced manner. Dr. Shashikant Mangrule is one of them. During the Municipal Corporation Elections 2025–26, I had the opportunity to interact with citizens, staff members, and officers at various administrative levels in Nashik. Throughout this process, I met many individuals; however, one officer whose company, work ethic, and perspective on governance left a deep and lasting impression on me was Dr. Shashikant Mangrule.

As an officer, his leadership qualities are immediately evident. He does not impose authority by intimidation; instead, he earns cooperation through trust. Valuing every member of his team, offering guidance at the right moment, and responding to mistakes with understanding rather than reprimand—these qualities together define him as a responsible and highly effective administrator.

Though gentle and approachable by nature, Dr. Mangrule is firm and disciplined when it comes to work. He demonstrates, through his conduct, how administration can be run by strictly adhering to rules while preserving humanity. His work consistently reflects the belief that governance need not be synonymous with rigidity alone but should balance sensitivity and accountability. This balance is rare and invaluable in public administration.

In my experience, Dr. Mangrule is not an officer confined to issuing orders or limiting himself to paperwork. He is someone who first understands the situation of the person before him, listens patiently, and only then arrives at a decision. Whether interacting with an ordinary citizen or an employee involved in the election process, he communicates calmly, with restraint and warmth. In today’s fast-paced and pressure-filled administrative environment, such a humane approach to work is exceptionally rare.

On several occasions that I personally witnessed, he did not merely listen to people’s difficulties but took the initiative to resolve them. Whether the problem was minor or serious, instead of avoiding responsibility by saying, “This is not within my authority,” his approach was always, “How can this be resolved?” This positive and responsible outlook deeply impressed me.

Experiences on Polling Day

Polling day itself brought several significant experiences. At some polling stations, there were technical issues related to EVM machines; at others, minor procedural errors by presiding officers came to light. Each time, after discussing the matter with Dr. Mangrule, he provided solutions that were calm, controlled, and crystal clear. The solutions were acceptable to the affected parties, and they ensured smooth operations during the polling.

For a presiding officer or polling agent, election duty may last only a day or two. But observing an officer who studies every stage of the entire electoral process in depth and pays attention to even the smallest details was, for me, a first-hand and close experience.

From sealing EVM machines correctly to explaining how to fill various envelopes, which forms to use, and where, he provided guidance that was comprehensive and precise. Concepts such as tendered voting and double voting were explained by him in extremely simple terms. In the event of a technical malfunction of machines, the procedures to be followed and alternative options available were explained with clarity and confidence. Because of this thorough guidance, the voting process was conducted not only in strict compliance with rules but also in a confident and stress-free environment.

In my view, it is officers like Dr. Shashikant Mangrulkar who form the true strength of any government department and create more trust between the administrative departments and the public at large. They can be a good bridge to grow belief in government functionaries. The officer I have seen and experienced is, without doubt, a positive, trustworthy, and inspiring face of public administration.