In a landmark appointment for India's port sector, Roshni Aparanji Korati, a 2011-batch IAS officer, has taken charge as the Deputy Chairperson of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA). She assumed her new role on Monday, creating history by becoming the first woman IAS officer to hold this prestigious position at the major port.
A Homecoming with Deep Roots
This appointment holds profound personal significance for Korati, as Visakhapatnam is her hometown. She completed her education in the port city, and her connection runs even deeper. Her father served as the headmaster of the Visakhapatnam Port High School, embedding her family's legacy within the port's community. An officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, Korati's return to Vizag marks a full-circle moment in her distinguished career.
An Illustrious Administrative Career
Korati brings to the table a wealth of administrative experience spanning district, state, and Central government levels. Her academic prowess is highlighted by being a gold medallist in Master's in Mass Communication from Andhra University.
Her career trajectory showcases a consistent record of leadership and public service. She has served in key positions in Assam, including as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Jorhat, and as the Collector and District Magistrate for both Jorhat and Dhemaji districts. In these roles, she spearheaded major rural development and welfare initiatives.
At the state level, she served as Secretary to the Government of Assam, holding crucial portfolios such as Secretary for Elementary Education and Mission Director of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). She also led as Agriculture Secretary and Project Director of the ARIAS Society. Immediately prior to her VPA appointment, she was on Central deputation as the Joint Development Commissioner of the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ).
Accolades and the Road Ahead
Korati's exemplary service has been nationally recognized. She is a recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2018, among other honours. Her appointment is seen as a significant step towards inclusive leadership in India's maritime infrastructure. With her extensive background in administration, education, and rural development, stakeholders anticipate her tenure will bring fresh perspectives and dynamic governance to the Visakhapatnam Port Authority, one of the country's busiest ports.
This historic move not only shatters a glass ceiling but also places a seasoned and award-winning administrator at the helm of a critical economic asset, promising a new chapter of growth and efficiency for the port.
