Who is Dr. Pradeep Gawande, IAS officer Tina Dabi's fiance?
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Tina Dabi on Monday announced her engagement to fellow IAS officer Dr. Pradeep Gawande. Dabi is a 2016-batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre, currently posted as the Joint Secretary of Finance (Tax), Government of Rajasthan, while Dr. Gawande is serving as the Director, Archeology & Museums, Government of Rajasthan. While congratulating the couple, let's know more about Dr. Gawande.
Why does this story matter?
Dabi has been making headlines ever since she topped the tough Civil Services Examination (CSE) aka the IAS exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) each year, in her very first attempt in 2015. The graduate from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, was also conferred with the prestigious President's Gold Medal after completing her two-year training program at LBSNAA, Mussoorie.
How did Dabi announce her engagement?
While announcing their engagement, Dabi wrote, "I'm wearing the smile you gave me #fiance." She also posted a photo featuring herself and Dr. Gawande. The duo twinned in red for the occasion. While Dabi wore a red saree with a golden-black border, Dr. Gawande donned a red kurta and blue jeans. Flashing gleeful smiles, the couple was also seen holding hands in the photo.
Gawande also shared photos on social media
Dr. Gawande, who hails from Maharashtra, shared three photos from the event, too. "Together, is my favourite place to be (sic)!" he posted. A 2013-batch IAS officer, Dr. Gawande is reportedly 13 years older than Dabi. Though their wedding date isn't out yet, a viral e-card says their wedding reception is on April 22. It will take place at Hotel Holiday Inn, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Know more about Dr. Gawande
Born on December 9, 1980, Dr. Gawande (41)—the son of Satyabhama and Keshaorao Gawande—bagged AIR 478 in the 2012 IAS exam. Last year, he made headlines when he was posted as Rajasthan Skill and Livelihoods Development Corporation's Managing Director and was questioned by the state's Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in a bribery case. Reportedly, however, he failed to give convincing replies to ACB officers.
What did ACB official say about Gawande's questioning?
"We had invited Pradeep Gawande...for questioning. Some specific questions were asked including why permission of a particular training form was canceled and if it was canceled under what circumstances the process of granting permission was started again," BL Soni, Director General, Rajasthan ACB, had said.
Dabi was married once earlier
To note, this would be Dabi's second marriage. She was earlier married to fellow IAS officer Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan, which ended in a divorce late last year. They had met during their felicitation ceremony in North Block's DoPT Office and got married in 2018. Dabi-Khan's wedding reception was attended by Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, several Union Ministers, and the then Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
