Public Office Private Life

When the news that he was posted to the Lokayukta was out, everybody knew that the things would never be the same again. For Datta had spent half his career with the CBI, fighting corruption and in his new assignment he would be joining forces with the present Lokayukta, Justice N Santosh Hegde, who had already declared war against the corrupt.When he met Justice Hegde first, he told him, "I have toconduct at least 100 raids against corrupt officials in one calendar year." Hissuccess rate was 96 per cent and within one year of assuming the office, he hadexceeded the target of 100 raids.Rupak Kumar Datta is the name that sends shivers down the spines of officials on the take as he heads the police division in Lokayukta. But at home he is anything but stern. As one enters the first floor house in HSR Layout, old Hindi songs welcome you. Music, art and a sense of humor flow in full swell in his small family. A relaxed man at home, a good chef and good with a Hawaian guitar to boot, he is a total democrat at home.Growing up, Datta was keen on being a doctor. Today hisdaughter who insists on being called Dr Tanisha, has fulfilled that ambition.Son Abhijoi is studying engineering at RV Engineering College. His wife Sumithis an employee with SAIL. The family picture is rounded by three-year-old Boozi,the Labrador who is overweight for his age but a darling of thefamily.CHILDHOOD: A Bengali, Datta spent his early life in Kanpur. His Air Force father was posted at HAL, Kanpur. Though he often visited HAL complex, watching Avro aircraft being built,he had no desire to be an engineer. On completing his 12th, he appeared for both medical and engineering examinations and got a medical seat at Kolkota. But his father's desire that he do engineering meant he joined IIT, Kanpur."I stayed in the IIThostel and every weekend I went home. During that journey, I had to pass themedical college and used to envy the people wearing aprons," herecalls.At IIT from the third year onwards he developed a keeninterest in humanities, especially history, political science and sociology. Hewould borrow books from his brother and started reading. That's when he learntabout civil services and started preparing himself for the UPSCexaminations.An engineering degree under his belt, Datta moved toDelhi and joined IIT for his masters more as a preparation for the coveted civilservices exams. His 125th rank landed him in the IPS."I wasdisappointed and till such time that I came to the academy for training I didnot know that I would be wearing a uniform. I was even more disappointed andservice force was not what I was looking for. Now, after putting in so manyyears, I am comfortable with it," he says.PARTNER: His wife Sumithwho's from Delhi had just completed her MBA. Her grandfather was an IPS officerin the British government and had served in Peshawar.Her father was also an IPSofficer. Naturally, they were looking for a IPS son-in-law."I wantedto pursue my career and it was an age when I was ready to take on whole world.When Rupak came to see me, I was told that some guests were coming home. For me,all the IPS officers were `uncles.' Only the next day, when my parents asked mewhat I felt about the boy, I realized that it was an alliance," she recalls witha laugh.Sumith was not impressed with the boy at all. Those days,Datta used to oil his hair and to see the girl, he had put extra oil on hishair. He was wearing a trouser, folded at its bottom in line with the style ofthose days. Plus, he was wearing a red, horse riding shoes. Of course, sheagreed to marry him a little later.There was no question ofcourtship either. Once, when Datta came to Delhi and wanted to take Sumith outfor dinner, her father agreed, but sent her brother and an orderly with themmaking for a heavily guarded outing.LIFE: Sumith personally found iteasy to adjust to Datta's life as she knew the demands made on IPS officers butprofessionally had to make tough choices. Her career has been punctuated bybreaks whenever he was transferred out of Bangalore. She joined Kirloskars butwhen Datta was transferred to Karwar, she had to quit. Meanwhile, Datta went ondeputation to CBI and moved to Delhi, "It was difficult for us to move fromKarnataka to Delhi. The facilities were less and from Victorian mansions atKarwar and Belgaum, we had to get used to small flats in Delhi. But, Rupakenjoyed the work in CBI more than in districts," she says. CHILDREN:Dr Tanisha is a quiet, unassuming girl with fewer words than her brother Abhijoiwho is into just about everything: Spanish guitar, keyboards, sports, collegeactivities. He even has his own band. Sumith has some motherly complaints abouthim, which Datta bats away with a smile. "I don't know how he manages to getmarks. I don't see him reading the books cover to cover and he is in all thecollege activities like fetes and even blood camps," she grumbles goodnaturedly.HOBBIES: The whole family admits that Datta is a greatcook. Whenever he's free, he just barges into kitchen and rustles up somethingyummy. "I am a foodie and I love cooking too. I try all kinds of food, but I donot relish continental food. My favorite is Bengali style fish and rice," hesays.The other favorite hobby is to play the guitar which he oftendoes with a 30-year-old one. "I developed a Hawain style and usually play oldHindi songs. Whenever I am pressurized at work, playing guitar for 10 minutesrelaxes me and brings me back to normal. When I retire, I plan to buy anelectric guitar. We have to have some activities after retirement," Dattasmiles.When it comes to movies, Rupak has his own set of choices. Hedoes not watch love stories and recently, he liked Three Idiots. "It reminded meof my IIT days and I could relate to it," he says. However, Abhijoi says thathis father likes movies like Gangajal and SarkarRaj.Fave:Food: Fish and rice, BengalistyleMovies: Police themed like Gangajal, SarkarRajBooks: non-fiction, especially philosophy,scienceHobbies: Cooking, playing the guitar