SHRI NANJUNDA SWAMY AT SEVENTY
A Life of Service, Leadership, Spirituality and Friendship
By Lokanath Mishra, IRS (Retired), Chief Adviser, All India Pensioners Association of CBIC and All India CGHS Beneficiaries Association of CBIC
On 25th July 2026, my esteemed friend, colleague, and fellow association leader, Shri Nanjunda Swamy, will complete seventy years of a remarkable and inspiring journey through life. This milestone is far more than the celebration of a birthday; it is an occasion to honour a life devoted to public service, organizational leadership, spiritual values, and selfless service to humanity.
In the Indian spiritual tradition, the completion of seventy years is regarded as a sacred stage of life—a period when experience matures into wisdom, achievement transforms into service, and worldly success finds fulfilment in inner contentment. It is therefore fitting that we pause to reflect upon the life and contributions of a man whose journey exemplifies these noble ideals.
Born on 18th July 1956 in the historic city of Mysore, Shri Nanjunda Swamy belongs to a generation that witnessed the transformation of modern India and contributed significantly to nation-building through dedication, discipline, and integrity. After completing his Bachelor of Science degree, he joined the Customs and Central Excise Department as a Direct Recruit Inspector in November 1981. From the very beginning of his career, he distinguished himself through sincerity, professional competence, and an unwavering commitment to duty.
Over the next three and a half decades, he steadily rose through the ranks, earning promotion as Superintendent in 1997 and Assistant Commissioner in 2014. During his distinguished career, he served in several important formations, including the Chief Commissioner’s Office, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Audit, Preventive, and Technical Wings. In every assignment entrusted to him, he displayed exceptional dedication, integrity, and administrative ability.
One of the most significant chapters of his official career was his tenure in the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. As an active member of the team that detected the smuggling of 1,600 foreign-marked gold biscuits by a notorious smuggling syndicate operating along India’s western coast, he demonstrated remarkable investigative skill, courage, and perseverance. His contribution to several major anti-smuggling operations earned him numerous cash rewards and widespread appreciation from senior officers. He also achieved an enviable success rate in matters relating to COFEPOSA detentions, reflecting his deep understanding of preventive and enforcement laws.
During his posting in Audit, Shri Nanjunda Swamy played an important role in securing substantial revenue recoveries, thereby contributing significantly to the Government’s revenue mobilization efforts. His professional excellence earned him the respect of colleagues and superiors alike. In recognition of his outstanding service, he was honoured twice with the prestigious Samman Certificate, an award reserved for officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication and professional distinction.
Yet, the true greatness of Shri Nanjunda Swamy cannot be measured solely by official achievements, promotions, or awards. What made him truly special was his ability to connect with people, inspire confidence, and win affection across all levels of the organization. He became known not merely as an efficient officer but as a dependable administrator, a trusted friend, a wise counsellor, and above all, a gentleman of impeccable character.
His contribution to service associations deserves special recognition. For many years, he was an active and respected member of the Inspectors’ and Superintendents’ Association. Along with several distinguished leaders of the cadre, he worked tirelessly for the welfare of officers and staff. He participated in national conferences, organizational meetings, and representational activities across the country, always advocating the legitimate interests of the cadre with sincerity, conviction, and a spirit of collective responsibility.
Following his promotion as Assistant Commissioner, his leadership qualities found a broader platform. Recognizing the need for a united and effective voice for Promotee IRS officers, he played a pivotal role in organizing the historic Second Annual General Meeting of the IRS Promotee Officers Association at Bengaluru in October 2015.
I have particularly fond memories of that landmark event. At that time, I had the privilege of serving as the Secretary General of the Association. Shri Nanjunda Swamy worked tirelessly for months to ensure the success of the convention. His meticulous planning, organizational skills, attention to detail, and personal commitment transformed the Bengaluru AGM into a memorable and highly successful gathering. The event strengthened the bonds of fraternity among Promotee IRS officers across India and laid the foundation for many future initiatives undertaken by the Association.
His contribution to organizational activities extended far beyond formal responsibilities. He possessed the rare ability to build consensus, foster unity, and inspire collective action. His advice was invariably practical, balanced, and guided by a genuine concern for the welfare of serving officers, retirees, and colleagues alike.
On a personal note, I have experienced his generosity and helpful nature on several occasions. When my son was searching for a suitable flat in Bengaluru, Shri Nanjunda Swamy extended invaluable assistance. He personally guided my family through the process of identifying and purchasing the flat and ensured that the transaction was completed smoothly. Such acts of kindness reveal the true measure of a person’s character. He has always been willing to help others without expecting recognition or reward.
One of the most admirable qualities of Shri Nanjunda Swamy is his spirit of service. Whether interacting with serving officers, pensioners, friends, or members of the public, he consistently displays patience, empathy, humility, and a sincere desire to assist. His life reminds us of the timeless Indian ideal that service to fellow human beings is itself a form of worship.
His spiritual inclination is equally noteworthy. In an age increasingly dominated by material pursuits and personal ambitions, Shri Nanjunda Swamy has remained firmly anchored in spiritual and ethical values. He believes that honesty, humility, compassion, gratitude, and selfless service are not merely virtues to be admired but principles to be practised in everyday life. His conduct throughout life has reflected these values in both letter and spirit.
Like the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, which teaches the path of Nishkama Karma—selfless action performed without attachment to personal gain—Shri Nanjunda Swamy has quietly dedicated himself to duty while remaining humble in success and composed in adversity. His life demonstrates that spirituality is not confined to temples or scriptures alone; it is expressed through righteous conduct, kindness, integrity, and service to society.
His family beautifully reflects these noble ideals. His wife, Smt. Sumathi, is a distinguished Vedic scholar and teacher who has devoted herself to the study, preservation, and dissemination of Vedic knowledge. Her lifelong commitment to learning and teaching complements Shri Nanjunda Swamy’s own spiritual outlook. Together, they have nurtured a family environment rooted in culture, values, and devotion. Their daughter, Smt. Sushma, now well settled in Melbourne with her family, carries forward this rich legacy of education, culture, and ethical values.
Even after retirement, Shri Nanjunda Swamy has remained active, relevant, and immensely useful to the CBIC fraternity. Retirement, for him, has not been an end but a continuation of service in a different form. He has continued to assist officers facing vigilance and service-related issues and has earned a reputation for providing wise counsel and practical solutions. More importantly, he has become an active pillar of support for both the All India Pensioners Association of CBIC and the All India CGHS Beneficiaries Association of CBIC.
As Chief Adviser of these Associations, I have frequently sought his guidance and assistance on various service matters. Whenever required, he readily extended his support, particularly in the preparation of detailed memoranda and representations submitted before the Eighth Central Pay Commission. His analytical approach, vast knowledge of service matters, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of pensioners have proved invaluable to our collective efforts.
As Shri Nanjunda Swamy enters his seventieth year, he stands as a shining example of what a meaningful and purposeful life can achieve. His life teaches us that success cannot be measured merely by promotions, awards, or positions held. True success lies in earning the trust of colleagues, the affection of friends, the respect of society, and the blessings of those whose lives one has touched through kindness, compassion, and service.
Indian tradition regards the age of seventy as a stage of wisdom, fulfilment, reflection, and spiritual maturity—a period when accumulated experience becomes a guiding light for younger generations. Shri Nanjunda Swamy embodies that ideal in every respect. His life represents a harmonious synthesis of professional excellence, organizational leadership, spiritual wisdom, and human compassion.
I am deeply honoured to have received his gracious invitation to attend the celebration of his seventieth birthday at Bengaluru on 25th July 2026. Unfortunately, owing to a prior commitment and my scheduled visit to Switzerland during that period, I shall not be able to participate personally in this joyous occasion. Nevertheless, my thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt good wishes will remain with him and his family on that memorable day.
On this auspicious occasion, I offer my sincere congratulations and pray to the Almighty to bless Shri Nanjunda Swamy with good health, happiness, inner peace, and many more years of active and meaningful life dedicated to service, wisdom, and spirituality.
May the Divine continue to guide his path. May his life remain a source of inspiration to colleagues, friends, pensioners, and younger generations. And may his noble example remind us all that the highest purpose of life lies not merely in personal achievement but in selfless service, righteous conduct, and devotion to the welfare of others.
Happy 70th Birthday, Shri Nanjunda Swamy!
Your life remains a shining example of service before self, leadership with humility, friendship with sincerity, spirituality with simplicity, and success tempered by wisdom and compassion.
May your journey continue to inspire all who have had the privilege of knowing and working with you.