Poonam Khaira Sidhu & Karan Bir Singh Sidhu on Work, Wanderlust, and the Gentle Art of “Retired Discipline.
They spent decades in high-responsibility public service—Poonam Khaira Sidhu in the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax, 1987 batch), superannuating in the apex scale as Principal DGIT (Administration & Taxpayer Services), and Karan Bir Singh Sidhu (IAS, 1984 batch, Punjab cadre) as Special Chief Secretary, Punjab.
Today, the couple has swapped file covers for family time, long walks, and a shared love of writing—she through columns, academic articles, and books (including an anthology of her published pieces), and he through his popular, highly regarded writing platform, The KBS Chronicles. Writing is his way of staying engaged—without official constraints—observing, connecting dots, and making complex issues readable.
In a warm, laughter-tinged conversation, they tell us what it’s like to be a “two-service couple” in retirement—and how they made the partnership work.
How does being life partners influence your approach to leadership and decision-making?
Poonam: “It gives me a permanent reality check. Before I decide, I automatically run three checks—Is it fair? Is it workable? Will I be comfortable defending it in plain language?—because at home I’ll get the toughest question: ‘If this happened to us, would you still think it’s right?’ That one question improves both leadership and judgment.”
KBS: “Marriage teaches you the one skill every leader needs: listening without preparing a rebuttal.” It keeps decision-making grounded—because the person who knows you best is also the least impressed by your designation.
What is one value you both strongly believe in as civil servants?
Poonam: “Integrity is non-negotiable. It’s the only policy that must never be ‘under review’—and being the change you want to see.”
KBS: “Fairness—with a human face.” Rules should be firm, but bureaucrats should focus on facilitating more than policing. The citizen’s experience should never feel unjust.
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