Draft:Ashima Mittal

Ashima Mittal (born 30 June 1992) is an Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer of 2018 batch, Maharashtra cadre. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zilla Parishad, Nashik.

Early life and education

Mittal was born on 30 June 1992 in Jaipur, Rajasthan. She was a bright student from an early age and qualified for competitive scholarships like National Talent Search Exam (NTSE) and Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY). She later pursued the degree in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, graduating in 2014. During this period she was recognized with a gold medal for her overall academic & extracurricular performance in IIT-B. She appeared for the Civil Services Exam (CSE) for the first time in 2015 but did not clear it. In her second attempt, she secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 382. While her family was happy with the result, Ashima felt she could do better. Motivated to improve, she attempted the exam a third time and secured AIR 12. She joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 2018 and was allotted the Maharashtra cadre. She also completed her Master's in Anthropology along with the preparations of CSE.

Career

Ashima Mittal commenced her career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 2018, being allocated to the Maharashtra cadre.

Assistant Collector and Project Officer, Dahanu, Palghar District (September 2020 – September 2022)

Following her training, Ashima Mittal was appointed as the Assistant Collector and Project Officer for the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) in Dahanu, Palghar district. In this capacity, she focused on enhancing administrative efficiency and implementing welfare schemes for tribal communities.

One of her notable initiatives was a pilot project aimed at simplifying the issuance of caste certificates for tribal students. Recognizing the challenges faced by students in obtaining these essential documents, She facilitated the distribution of caste certificates directly within ashram schools. This program was expanded to cover 33 government-run ashram schools across Vasai, Palghar, Dahanu, and Talasari tehsils, benefiting approximately 6,000 students from Class VIII to XII.

Additionally, she promoted entrepreneurship among tribal women by supporting the formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) engaged in small-scale enterprises such as sanitary pad production, patrawali (leaf plate) making, and spice processing. These initiatives aimed to foster economic self-reliance within the community.

Ashima also played a pivotal role in promoting sustainable tourism in the region by organizing the Dahanu Festival 2022, which showcased local culture and aimed to boost eco-friendly tourism.

Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, Nashik (October 2022 – Present)

In October 2022, Ashima Mittal was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zilla Parishad, Nashik. In this role, she introduced several initiatives to enhance rural development and governance.

One of her key projects was the implementation of a mobile-based monitoring system to track student progress in government schools, aiming to improve literacy and numeracy skills among rural children. This application, initially developed during her tenure in Palghar, was adapted for use in Nashik to monitor various aspects of student development, including health metrics and academic performance.

She also launched the 'Sampanna Ghar Abhiyan,' a rural housing initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin. This program trained over 1.5 lakh families in Nashik to construct their own homes using sustainable methods, emphasizing skill development and community participation.

Awards and recognition

Ashima Mittal has been recognized with the Balsnehi Award for her continued work in advancing child welfare in Nashik district. She received this award for two consecutive years, reflecting her sustained commitment to improving the lives of children through initiatives focused on education, nutrition, and healthcare.

As CEO of Zilla Parishad Nashik, her community-driven approach and focus on inclusive development have drawn appreciation from both government bodies and grassroots organizations. Her work continues to be seen as a model of effective, empathetic administration in rural settings.