WITH EXCEPTIONAL FOCUS and precision, C.V. Anand, the batter, mastered the art of placing the ball exactly where he wanted as he belted centuries during his heyday. Years later, as police commissioner of Hyderabad, he applies the same determination to uphold law and order while prioritising the wellbeing and safety of the city’s 80 lakh people. It is working perfectly!
Anand, 56, an IPS officer of the 1991 batch, assumed charge the second time as Hyderabad’s police commissioner this September. He had first served as commissioner of the city of pearls in 2021 before moving out of the post ahead of the assembly elections. This, after a short stint with the CISF as its inspector general, airport sector. Known for his commitment and expertise on urban policing, Anand has also played an important role in leveraging technology to improve public safety.
At THE WEEK’s Best Hospitals Awards, Anand was a panellist in a session ‘The Pursuit of Quality’. It brought together leaders from health care and public service to discuss the quality of care and prioritising the wellbeing of people. Anand’s emphasis on fitness, in fact, is not just personal but also professional.
“Fitness is paramount to me,” he said, “Even today, I pat my juniors on the tummy and tell them it needs to reduce! Some may not like it, but I insist. I tell new recruits that the T-shirt they wear now should fit them even at retirement. I have never had to change my clothing size―what fit me then fits me now.”
All through his career, Anand has been committed to maintaining law and order, fostering communal harmony, and addressing urban challenges. Of late, his focus is on clearing Hyderabad’s footpaths of encroachments which, he believes, is key to reducing the city’s congestion.
In the late 1980s, Anand represented the India U-19 cricket team that toured England and also played for Hyderabad at the U-19 and U-22 levels. “If the Indian Premier League (IPL) had existed in the 1980s, I wouldn’t have been in the Indian Police Service (IPS),” Anand said.
Carrying forward this legacy is Anand’s son, Chama Milind. A player for the Hyderabad cricket team, Milind was signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2022 IPL auction. Reflecting on his father’s influence, Milind once said, “My father always wanted me to be a sportsperson and encouraged me to take up sports to stay fit.”
Anand advocates healthy eating, emphasising a millet-based and vegetarian diet, including for his men, over calorie-heavy meals like biryani that his city is famous for. “Yoga and weight training are essential, especially after 35, as muscles must support your body,” he said.
Anand encourages retired officers to maintain their health, noting that fitness is essential for a long and fulfilling life. His X bio reflects his balanced approach to life: “Varied experiences inside and outside the police department. Still very active with stress-busting: cricket, tennis, golf, and pets (German Shepherds).” Anand plays cricket, golf or tennis every Sunday to stay in good shape.
A role model in fitness and governance, Anand’s leadership style, they say, blends discipline with a vision for a better Hyderabad. Whether it is trying to sort out traffic or urging citizens to prioritise their health and wellbeing, Anand has always led by example. With his steadfast commitment to public service and fitness, Anand ensures that Hyderabad stays in capable hands.