SALUTE KESAVENDRAKUMAR IAS

Kesavendrakumar was unknown when grew up in his native Bihar. Bihar happens to be the most underdeveloped state in India. It is rich in mineral wealth. A large number of major industries are located there. Yet, the people remained poor. Try as much as they could they found it extremely difficult to catch up with the rest of India. Parity in achievements in the field of education could never be conceived.

Kesavendrakumar grew up in a difficult environment. His father did not have much to provide for his son. But Kesavendrakumar was highly intelligent. He passed the Higher Secondary Examination, Bihar with a very high rank. Though he wanted to join for higher education the plight of the family made him join the Railways as a booking clerk (information garnered from newspaper reports).

The thirst for knowledge and the urge to do well in life saw him join IGNOU for BA Hindi. After successful completion of the degree he had appeared for the IAS examination. He was selected to join the IAS. The rank was forty five. It was the first time in India a degree student from IGNOU had been selected for IAS. He was twenty two. It tells us the universal truth. If you are tenacious, if you do not give up when the odds are stacked against you and if you believe you can win nothing can stop you.

Kesavendrakumar was posted to Kerala. In course of time he was appointed Director, Higher Secondary Education. He became famous when a few members of the student wing of the ruling party in Kerala had poured waste oil, black in color over him as a mark of protest for the hike in fees for Higher Secondary Education. The fact that the hike was a decision of the Government of which their party was a constituent did not deter the hooligans. The ruling party had dissociated themselves from the unethical violence. The Chief Minister had called up the official and had apologized for the misdeed.

The photo of Kesavendrakumar with the oil on him was widely circulated in the newspapers and news channels.There was no rancor. He looked courageous.

Salute Kesavendrakumar.

.