An Optimist to the core, Vijaylaxmi Sheth looks at the positive, bright side of everything and says it is best she could do something towards changing the image of the Postal Department in UP. Sheth is the outgoing Chief Post Master General of the UP Circle.
With her strong will power and determination, she changed the face of the department that was moving towards becoming one of the biggest loss-making departments.
She says, “I joined the Lucknow office in March 2005 when the UP Circle was no less than a challenge, being the biggest circle in the country. But gradually, my team and I could manage the circle and start its journey towards turning it into a profit-earning department. We have come a long way to fulfill our objective and our revenues have gone up. But the department has still to travel a long distance. We have been successful in achieving our targets.”
Otherwise belongs to the Kutch region in Gujarat where she finished her studies.
She cleared the Civil Services exam in 1974 and underwent the training. Sheth says, “Way back in 1976, when I had just joined the services, people in the field didn’t take me seriously since I looked too frail and small. But I had to change my image and gradually I made sure that people respected me and took me seriously.”
{{/usCountry}}She cleared the Civil Services exam in 1974 and underwent the training. Sheth says, “Way back in 1976, when I had just joined the services, people in the field didn’t take me seriously since I looked too frail and small. But I had to change my image and gradually I made sure that people respected me and took me seriously.”
{{/usCountry}}Narrating an incident she says, “Once when I was traveling in the special coach for the postal mail, the Traveling Ticket Examiner came around and started arguing with my assistant that I was not an officer and should get off the coach. When things started getting out of hands, I told the TTE that I was an officer. My voice was so firm that the TT finally agreed and stopped harassing even others.” Vijaylaxmi Sheth is very fond of Lucknow. She says, “The city has treated me very well and I am sad to leave it. I like the feel of the city—it’s modern yet traditional in. It’s calm and peaceful and people of the city are amazing.”
Sheth is an ardent reader. “I love reading meaningful books. I am also very fond of trekking. I manage to go on treks every now and then. Last time I had gone to Leh and Ladakh a few months back. I have even been to Kailash Mansarovar.” She adds, “I also make sure that I watch a few good films. I loved ‘Iqbal’ which was very well made and had a message.”