R Parasuram, a distinguished former civil servant, retired as Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh in 2013. He then served as State Election Commissioner for over five years before becoming Director at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis (AIGGPA) in Bhopal. An electrical engineering graduate, Parasuram's career was enriched by a fellowship at International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Ottawa. Throughout his tenure in the Indian Administrative Service, he developed a profound interest in rural poverty alleviation, sustainable livelihoods, and the intricate relationship between rural development and natural resource management. Parasuram served as Collector in multiple districts and held key roles in departments like Agriculture, Panchayat & Rural Development, and Technical Education & Skilling. He also represented India at international organizations like FAO, IFAD, and WFP in Rome. At AIGGPA, Parasuram coordinated work across various domains including natural resource management, rural and urban livelihoods, and public health. He also established a new Centre for Urban Governance at the institute.