General

Acknowledged nonpolitical leader in Kerala society.

The only IAS officer with a doctorate in Divinity(mentioned in the book CHASING THE MONSOON)

Despite known views against religious conversion, accepted among all Christian denominations except strong fundamentalists as leader. Popular among Hindus, Christians and Muslims in Kerala.

Sought after speaker in India and abroad.

Founded VASTUVIDYA GURUKULAM, a Postgraduate centre under the Department of Cultural Affairs affiliated to the university for imparting scientific instruction in India’s traditional architecture; continues as Honorary Chancellor( a lifetime tenure).

Innovative ideas and dynamic execution set him apart while in the civil service. Founder- Managing Director of Kerala Handloom Corporation he prepared a master document which laid down guidelines of growth route, which is deemed valid even now, after 30+ years.

Completed Idukki Project, a Canada-India venture, plagued by labour trouble and contract failures.(See the comments of the then Chief Minister below).

Conceived the idea of the proposed International Transshipment Terminal at Cochin.

Left an indelible mark in every assignment. As PORT CHAIRMAN started work on the present container terminal, commenced computerisation in a volatile port in 1980s ensuring cooperation of even communist trade unions (then opposed to computerisation), kept the port strike free for almost five years and conceived the idea of the international trans shipment terminal way back in 1984 in anticipation of Hongkong being ceded to China in 1997.

As District Collector ensured violence free harvest season in an extremist-infested area in Palakkad in 1970.

As CEO OF TITANIUM PRODUCTS registered record production, profit, bonus to workers and dividend to Government.

As CEO OF ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION led a strike free four years.

As FISHERIES SECRETARY introduced regulation of marine fishing and also welfare measures for fisherfolk (like a special bus for fishmonger women).

As FINANCE SECRETARY managed the limited resources of the state carefully ending each year without overdraft from the central bank of the country.

As MEMBER, BOARD OF REVENUE made a six-fold increase in revenue collection over a 4-year period.

As TOURISM SECRETARY initiated backwater tourism and many other imaginative schemes.

International meets attended

· Member, Indian student-delegation to World Students' Conference, Strasbourg, France, 1960.

· As Member of the Indian Administrative Service, attended many international meets and presented papers.

· As a lay leader represented Indian laity ( the only Indian layman in the episcopal delegation led by the Patriarch) at the Vatican Summit 1984 between the Pope and the Syrian Patriarch and helped draft the joint declaration permitting economic communion between the two ancient Petrine Thrones.

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