Akun's living a full life
DIGP Akun Sabharwal, who is also an avid marathoner and a cyclist, says that pursuing his passion gives him time to introspect.
Striking a balance between your passion and the rigors of work life is not an easy task. But many bureaucrats from the city have been doing it smoothly. Akun Sabharwal, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hyderabad Range, is one such example. He has held several key postings, starting with his first posting in Anantapur district, infamous for its factional feuds.
Be it conducting and supervising Anti-Left Wing Extremist Operations in 2006-2007 as Officer on Special Duty, Warangal to becoming Director, Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, where he started an awareness campaign ‘No Bill, No Pill’ to curb issuing of medicines without prescription to his current posting as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), his journey has been most fruitful.The IPS officer is also an avid marathoner.
He says, “Following your passion is not an “all-or-nothing” equation. It is more about what ‘lights my fire’ without affecting my professional and personal responsibilities. It gives me time to introspect.”
In December 2015, Akun cycled along with paracyclist Aditya Mehta and youth leader Rajiv Reddy from New Delhi to Mumbai, a distance of approximately 1,475 km in six days.
“It all started in 2007 when I was posted as the superintendent of police in Visakhapatnam. It was a stressful assignment and so I began running and cycling. In addition to the break it gave me from my official tasks, it improved my health and gave me some ‘me-time’ to think,” says Akun.
However, Akun also cautions: “It is all about prioritising between work and passion. Trying to schedule an equal number of hours for both is unrealistic.”
Achievements
“I run two full marathons (42.2 km) every year with a competitive timing of under four hours. I’ve cycled from India Gate to Gateway of India along with paracyclist Aditya Mehta — a distance of 1,475 kms in six days, to raise awareness about police and paramilitary personnel who lose their limbs while on duty,” Akun says.
Anecdotes
Akun shares, “While cycling from Jaipur to Ajmer, some villagers stopped me en-route. When I gave my introduction and stated why I was cycling, they warmed up to me. That village had lost a few sons to war; a few were disabled due to war injuries. The love that they showered on me remains till today.”