Shri Rajesh Prasad Misra

Born to Shri R.P. Misra, former Director General of Police, Bhopal, and Smt. Maya Misra, Rajesh Prasad Misra was raised in a home steeped in the values of duty and service. His own journey in public life began, fittingly, with a spirit of adventure — he started his career in the Merchant Navy. Yet within months, a deeper calling drew him home to Madhya Pradesh, where he chose a life dedicated to public service, joining the Indian Administrative Service. It was a decision that would come to define him and touch countless lives across the state.

Over more than 35 years of service, Shri Misra held a remarkable range of positions, each reflecting his versatility and his commitment to the people of Madhya Pradesh. He began his career serving in districts such as Hoshangabad, Vidisha, and Mandsaur, building a grounded understanding of grassroots administration that would stay with him throughout his career. He went on to take up multiple high-responsibility roles, serving as State Protocol Officer and as Food and Drug Controller, Madhya Pradesh, bringing rigour and integrity to positions of public trust. As Collector of Betul district, he was known for his accessibility and his hands-on approach to district administration.

He held key secretarial responsibilities in the Chief Minister's Secretariat, and across the Industries, Tribal Affairs, and Culture Departments, contributing to policy and governance at the highest levels of the state. He also served closely with ministers, including Shri Chandra Shekhar and Shri Rajendra Prasad Shukla, earning a reputation as a trusted and capable administrator.

Among his most cherished contributions was the conceptualisation of the Teerth Darshan Yojana, a scheme enabling elderly citizens to undertake pilgrimages — a reflection of his deep empathy and his belief in dignity for the aged. Uplifting people out of poverty was his lifelong dream, and he held a firm conviction that education was the surest way to lift generations out of hardship. He was a steadfast advocate for women's empowerment, a supporter of the underprivileged and privileged alike, and a passionate champion of animal welfare.

Beyond his official duties, Shri Misra founded the Bhopal Rifle Association and was an active organiser of IAS service meets, fostering camaraderie among colleagues throughout his career. An avid collector of coins, matchboxes, and stamps, he brought the same curiosity and care to his personal pursuits as he did to his public responsibilities.

But it was, perhaps, in the realm of human connection that Shri Misra was truly unmatched. Energetic, jovial, and possessed of a seemingly boundless knowledge of the world around him, he had a rare gift for warmth. A chance encounter with a stranger — on a train, at an event, in any public gathering — would, within minutes, become a memory that person would carry for life. He had an uncanny ability to find a connection with everyone he met, weaving together an ever-expanding web of friendships that spanned every walk of life. In truth, the relationships he built were the greatest asset he accumulated over his 67 years — richer, by far, than any material wealth.

Those who knew him remember him not only as a distinguished officer, but as a friend who stood steadfastly by others in their most difficult hours, even when the world had turned away — and as a doting father and an even more doting grandfather, whose warmth extended to family and strangers alike.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Nisha Misra; his only child, Saumya Misra; his son-in-law, Rasaal Dwivedi; and his granddaughter, Ishtee Dwivedi — remembered with love and gratitude by all whose lives he touched.

His life was dedicated to public service. His legacy continues by empowering the education of future generations — through this scholarship, his lifelong belief that a book placed in the right hands can change a life carries forward, reaching the students who need it most.