Smitha Sabharwal Reflects on Her Transfer with a Bhagavad Gita Quote
The Government of Telangana has transferred Smitha Sabharwal, who was serving as the Principal Secretary of the State Tourism and Culture Department. Senior IAS officer Jayesh Ranjan has been appointed in her place to oversee the Tourism Department. Orders have been issued appointing Smitha Sabharwal as the Member Secretary of the State Finance Commission.
In the wake of her transfer, Smitha Sabharwal responded through a post on X (formerly Twitter), quoting the Bhagavad Gita verse, "Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma Phaleshu Kadachana," at the beginning of her post. She stated, "I served in the Tourism Department for four months. I endeavored to deliver the best possible services within my capacity. For the first time in the state's history, we introduced the 2025-30 Tourism Policy, which had been pending for a long time. This policy not only provides direction to previously neglected tourism destinations but also serves as a strong foundation for attracting investments."
Referring to the upcoming Miss World event to be held in Hyderabad, Smitha Sabharwal added, "I laid the groundwork for the planning and infrastructural arrangements necessary for a global event. I believe this will open doors to numerous opportunities. Working in the Tourism Department was a matter of pride and honor for me."
Smitha Sabharwal’s post has attracted numerous responses from netizens, many of whom praised her contributions to the tourism sector.
Meanwhile, a recent controversy involving land allocation in Kanch Gachibowli on the outskirts of Hyderabad, where Smitha Sabharwal questioned the government's stance through a social media post, has become a topic of discussion. Political analysts opine that this controversy may have led to her transfer. It is also known that police issued notices to Smitha Sabharwal regarding the Gachibowli land issue. Amidst these developments, there are speculations that she was transferred to the relatively lower-profile Finance Commission.