Beyond The Heaven-Born Service

In this candid memoir, Pushpa Sundar shares her transformative journey

from a dedicated IAS officer to a pioneering figure in Indian philanthropy. She

reflects on the influences that shaped her worldview while growing up in the

1950s in Nagpur, a city rich in historical significance as the birthplace of the

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Sundar deftly explores the complexities of her

environment, marked by influential figures like V.D. Savarkar and the ideals of

Mahatma Gandhi.

Sundar's narrative unfolds through her college years at prestigious institutions,

including the Delhi School of Economics, during the sixties. She examines the

vibrant reimagining of Lutyens' Delhi and describes Prime Minister Jawaharlal

Nehru's efforts to showcase independent India's aspirations with landmarks

like the Ashoka Hotel.

During her tenure in the IAS, Sundar balances a demanding career with her

roles as a wife and mother. She candidly discusses the challenges of being a

woman in the service and the factors that led her to resign. She also highlights

the contributions of luminaries like Verghese Kurien, the architect of the

Amul revolution, and others she met while posted in Gujarat, who have left

an indelible mark on Indian society.

Beyond the Heaven-born Service also examines Sundar's long tenure with the

Ford Foundation in the seventies, spotlighting the impact of the controversial

Foreign Contributions Regulation Act, enacted by the Indira Gandhi regime in

1976.

Pushpa Sundar's experiences and insights, both within India and abroad, make

this book more than just a memoir; they inspire a new generation-especially

women-to redefine success on their own terms.