My focus is inclusive growth and bringing in more and more people together for nation building- Asim Arun, former IPS and BJP's face from Kannauj
New Delhi, March 2
Senior IPS officer Asim Arun from Uttar Pradesh cadre is now a bright face of Bharatiya Janta Party in Kannauj in the ongoing assembly elections of Uttar Pradesh.
A 1994 batch IPS officer, Asim Arun was the first Police Commissioner of Kanpur when politics came calling from BJP and he decided to take it up.
In an interview with BW PoliceWorld, former IPS officer and BJP candidate from Sadar (SC) seat of Kannauj, Asim Arun talks about his shift from policing to politics
1) What were your thoughts on joining politics after a successful and prolific career as an IPS officer?
I never thought I would join politics, I was nowhere on my mind. Policing is my passion and I took it up in my young age. This was a sudden move. This was a unique suggestion that came from the BJP that they wanted to be their face in the elections. My family and I took some time to think over it and we decided we should do it. It is a good opportunity as I would get to serve the people of my state as I did during the IPS tenure.
2) You have been an IPS officer for 28 years. Do you think your experience in policing would help you as politician?
Yes it will at a great extent. As a police officer we learn about people and their issues right from the beginning of our career. We handle so many issues, complaints, cases and that gives us a perspective that what is affecting the masses. I got to do all of it. When I worked on certain projects of the government that helped me to understand the work done for the masses and how it is to be done. Policing teaches you a disciplined life and a professional approach to governance and I am happy I could imbibe all that in such a long span of my career. The same experience is what I am going to use for the welfare and progress of the citizens. This opportunity will in fact give me more scope to work with the masses directly.
3) Your father was the DGP of Uttar Pradesh Police. How did he inspire you?
My father served as the DGP of UP twice. A very avid officers who had policing at the core of his heart. He was passionate about his work and seeing him while growing up taught me how a police officer can also be people’s man. He worked for the citizens from aiding them to strengthening in every possible way. I grew up watching him and decided to take up policing as a career. IPS was my choice and my father was the inspiring force behind it. He is my inspiration more as a human being, an honest and modest man who instilled virtues and values in me. The same zest at which he worked for the citizens in UP, I want to work for Kannuaj. I follow his principles thoroughly.
4) How was your experience representing BJP for Kannauj and interacting with the citizens?
I would say the response of citizens in Kannauj was very interesting and positive. BJP has done tremendous work and people are happy with the government. Kannauj is my hometown and the hometown of my father as well my wife. We as a family have worked for Kannauj even otherwise and know the district by their pulse. I understand the needs of the people there. I can say that the electoral outcome is good in Kannauj.
5) you are the face of BJP in Kannauj. What do the citizens need and what changes can you bring?
As soon as I got this opportunity, I understood that this is the biggest opportunity for me to work for the people. I have two agendas- one to bring more and more people together from different pedestals of life towards BJP’s aim of nation building and equality among the masses. There are many sections in the district who need upliftment and I would wish to bring inclusive growth for all sections. I would like to mention that USA as a country has an affirmative action for economy and growth of all their citizens. People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged for education and jobs for an inclusive growth of the country. We should use progressive examples and innovate ourselves for inclusive growth of all sections of the society who didn’t get equal opportunities. There are many sections of the society that need upliftment and support of the government.
Born on October 3, 1970, Asim Arun served for about 28 years. His father, the late Sri Ram Arun, was a 1963-batch IPS officer, who served as the Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) twice between 1997 and 2000. His mother Shashi Arun was a renowned writer and poet.
Asim Arun as the IPS officer was posted as ADG of Kanpur and Agra zone where he carried out many projects to aide citizens. He was considered as the backbone of the UP Police with his approach to work and the encouragement to the subordinate officers.
During his stint with the UP Special Task Force, he was credited for the encounter of ISIS terrorist Saifullah who had taken refuge in Lucknow to carry out major terror strikes in the country. The STF under Asim Arun had neutralized Saifullah in Thakurganj area of the city.
Arun worked in several districts of UP-Hathras, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, Agra, Aligarh and Gorakhpur. He was also heading the UP Police's 112 project.
Few know that Asim Arun was the first officer who formed a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics Team) during his tenure in Aligarh back in 2009 when the emergence of the commando forces was still a developing concept.
Asim Arun was specially selected in the specialized force to give security the former PM Manmohan Singh. He was the head of the core protection team of Special Protection Group that provides security to the PM of India. Arun has also served in the Central Bureau of Investigation and National Security Guards earlier.
Asim Arun is currently trying to aide 11 kids of Kannauj who are stuck in Ukraine during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis.
