Dr Anupam Kamal
Your journey is not the same as mine, and mine is not yours; but if you meet me on the path, we may encourage each other. – Author Holly
I am more concerned with my character than my reputation, because my character is who I really am, while my reputation is what others think I am! – Adapted from John Wooden’s quote
- Hony. Doctorate (Social Work), Masters in Sociology, Diplomas in Computer Science & Business Management
- General Secretary – ISHWAR (NGO) [www.ishwarngo.org]
- Machirologist – National Record holder in Limca Book of Records for India’s largest collection of knives
- Digital Journalism from Reuters
- Gallantry Awardee from the President of India
- Commendation Roll Awardee (Bravery) from Commissioner, Delhi Police
- Jijabai Golden Plaque Awardee for exemplary contributions to society
- Red & White Bravery Awardee
- National level shooter (Renowned Shot in 10m and 50m Olympic Pistol) Silver Medalist – Delhi State & Bronze Medalist – North Zone Shooting Championships; Gold, Silver & Bronze Medals in District level competitions.
- Certified NRAI National Judge (Rifle & Pistol)
- Author of book – Wild Perspectives (copyright 2021)
- Wildlife Photographer & Naturalist
Formerly:
– Hony. Secretary – Delhi State Rifle Association
– Member – Governing Board, Delhi State Rifle Association
– President – South Delhi District Rifle Association (Regd.)
– Special Police Officer – Delhi Police
– Dy Post Warden – Delhi Civil Defence
– Member – St John Ambulance Brigade, Indian Red Cross
An alumnus of some fine institutions like St. Columba’s School, Hans Raj College (Delhi University), Meerut University and DAV, science is in my blood and technology behind things that can cut, shoot or fly, interest me. I hold a fascination for nature and wildlife and believe in their conservation for the good of life on earth.
I am a sports enthusiast and by the age of 9, I had featured in the Indian national newspaper The Hindustan Times during my school’s annual sports day celebrations.
Community and social work somehow came naturally to me. Starting nearly 40 years ago, I received my first award by age 15. What began with writing examinations for blind students during school days and setting up a free first-aid centre at home, by adolescence I had organised drug de-addiction camps as a police officer. In 2004, along with an elected governing body, I set up ISHWAR NGO as its Hony. General Secretary in the field of non-formal education. Today, I continue administering and working for the welfare of over 200 slum & underprivileged children in the fields of education, vocational training, health, and sports.
As a young adult, I enrolled for training in Rescue Service, Fire-fighting, First-aid, Weapons, and Wireless radio communications, transforming into an ‘Altruist-At-Arms’, so named by Outlook Magazine, in an article captioned – Local Heroes. I was blessed to get the opportunity to save human lives, many a times at the risk of my own life, and earned several honours and awards for gallantry – the highest being the pinning of a Gallantry Medal by the President of India, Shri R Venkataraman at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s House.
I also received the highest honour from the Delhi Police, the prestigious Commendation Roll from the Commissioner of Police for gallantry. In addition, I was also appointed as a Special Police Officer when I was only 19 years of age. Later, over time, I received over 2-dozen certificates, commendations, citations and newspaper mentions by the Delhi Police.
During the 1991 Gulf War, I was deployed by Indian Red Cross to help the Indian government establish the only available wireless communication links with Baghdad for welfare and humanitarian assistance to stranded Indians caught up in the war.
Being denied the joy of joining the Indian armed forces by my apprehensive parents did not deter me from tasting army life as a Cadet in the Senior Division of National Cadet Corps in the army’s Armoured Corps and incorporating discipline and patriotism as inherent virtues. I underwent weapons training and completed the motor transport course (MT School) learning about army vehicles and tanks. I was selected to participate in the Prime Minister’s Rally – a warfare simulation by cadets in front of the Prime Minister of India.
I was a meritorious Scout during my school days and learnt basic survival skills and outdoor camping. After school, I served as Warden with Delhi Civil Defence, working in tandem with the police, and receiving several honours.
Sports never got left behind; my training in weapons came in handy for shooting sports as I transitioned from a hobby shooter into a medal-winning national level ‘Renowned’ shooter and later, after achieving the distinction, I decided to involve myself in promoting shooting sports. I was elected President of a District Rifle Association and also elected to the governing board of the Delhi State Rifle Association – the principal shooting sports body at the State level.
An unusual childhood passion to collect knives turned me into a Machirologist and I came into the national limelight when I established the first National Record in India’s Limca Book of Records for the largest collection of knives in India!
Photography was my hobby since teenage and has continued to date. I turned into a naturalist and a nature warrior and through my pictures of wildlife, I tried to highlight the joys of being in the wild and capturing the beauty of creatures and the grandeur of landscapes. A few of my pictures also got selected in photo competitions, including the Wild Bird Trust & Wild Bird Revolution – the blog sites of the National Geographic channel.
Thus, my humble life’s story is intended to be an inspiration to children and the youth of our society to get motivated and develop the will to surpass boundaries of school & college curriculums and later work/office routines and serve the community to make a difference for the betterment of the society. I have more stories to add which I will continue sharing. Surely, I am not perfect in the art of expressing myself in words and would therefore love to hear about any errors in my webpages.
Reach me on: emailanupamkamal [at] gmail [dot] com