IAS Officer Tina Dabi bowed Once. Then twice. Then a third time. Repeated it again for a fourth time. And did it yet again for a fifth time. All this in a span of seven seconds. She was seen greeting BJP leader Satish Poonia, former Rajasthan BJP state president.
The young officer’s act has sparked concerns of propriety and the age-old debate of the infamous nexus between the politician and the bureaucrat.
A convoy of white SUVs comes to a halt. A security officer dashes to the front, opens the door for Mr Poonia, seated in the front, who steps out while still speaking to someone on his mobile, shows an undated video.
Ms Dabi, who took over as District Collector of Barmer in Rajasthan last month, appears ready to greet the leader. Even as Mr Poonia is still checking his phone, Ms Dabi bows and greets the leader, five times in seven seconds, shows the video. NDTV did a count.
“Thank you. Thank you. Tina Dabi accha kaam kar rahi hai, safai karwa rahi hai, dustbin lagwa rahi hai (Tina Dabi is doing good work. Is getting the cleaning done, getting the dustbins installed),” says Mr Poonia.
Mr Poonia surveys the scene, puts his phone back into his kurta pocket, and turns to the officer.
“Dadaigiri kar rahe ho (You are bullying),” he jokes.
“Lekin achha kaam kar rahe ho (But you are doing good work). Barmer will also become like Indore. You are doing a good job,” says Mr Poonia to a smiling Ms Dabi, who is seen greeting the leader with folded hands. Three times in quick succession.
Mr Poonia greets other leaders present and moves ahead.
Tina Dabi, whose wedding to fellow IAS officer Pradeep Gawande made headlines in 2023, has started an innovative initiative – “Navo Barmer”- meaning new Barmer.
Under the initiative, cleanliness campaigns are being run in the city using new-age technology.