Bhubaneswar Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian has taken voluntary retirement from civil services. His VRS application has been approved by the Centre.
The 2000 batch Odisha cadre IAS officer’s bold step has silenced the oppositions in Odisha.
VK Pandian has given a strong message to the opposition parties who are criticizing him for VRS.
The step comes at a time when Odisha is going through an important phase of development and is on a growth trajectory that is going to make Odisha the Numero Uno state in India. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s aim of all round development of the people of Odisha is fructifying as the state is marching ahead in all development indicators.
The role the 5T Secretary has played in the development of the state in the last two decades can never be undervalued. He has been with the people of the state since the beginning of his career in 2000.
When we see the developing Odisha of today, the modern Odisha that has become a role model in the country, we can see the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his trusted lieutenant and the man behind the transformation – V K Pandian. The transformation of Odisha is a marvelous result of the toils of one person and he is nobody other than VK Pandian – the man of the moment. Under the leadership and guidance of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, VK Pandian is on a mission to do the remarkable. He is leading the transformation of Odisha into a truly 21st century state where people are at the center of development. Driven by his futuristic insights, Odisha today is progressing in every sphere. Be it Health Infrastructure and Indicators, Economic Growth, Education, Rural Development, Agricultural Development, Sporting, Women Empowerment, Communication, Social Welfare or Industrial Growth, V K Pandian has left no stone unturned to transform.
VK Pandian joined as an Odisha cadre IAS officer in the year 2000 and has held various positions starting from being the Sub-Collector of Dharmagarh, Collector of Mayurbhanj and Ganjam to becoming the Private Secretary to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and steering the state through the 5T Initiatives. As a young officer, during the initial postings, Pandian’s leadership left a deep impression on governance and throughout his career, he committed himself to maintaining the highest sense of honesty and integrity in public service. He stood tall amongst his peers and proved himself to be a man with exceptional qualities of head and heart.
With a quiet and modest demeanor, he never succumbed to the common folly of a civil servant and always wanted to be a man of the masses. Those who know him closely know that humility was the quintessential feature of Pandian. His grasp of the issues faced by the state and insights into the solutions for them are reflected in his deeds of transformation. The radical changes that Odisha is today experiencing are due to his rigorous commitment to take Odisha on new heights.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, sensing the exceptional qualities and the successful track record and good qualities of Pandian, made him a part of his team at Bhubaneswar for a greater role in the State’s development in 2011. Thereafter, for both VK Pandian and the State, there has been no looking back. CM Naveen found in Pandian a right administrator who is foresighted, young, energetic, articulate and hardworking. As Odisha took to the path of transformation propelled by the 5T Initiatives as envisioned by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, VK Pandian became the curator of new Odisha. Both Naveen and V K Pandian are working towards making the common man the focal point of governance.
The compassionate officer has always been with the people of the state. His sympathies for the PWDs, the HIV infected orphans etc., are the true examples of humanity. All through these years, he has sacrificed his life for the people of Odisha. The 24*7 active officer has barely taken any leave in the last two decades. He can be seen at the dawn of the day at ground zero reviewing various developmental activities and interacting with the people in the evening regarding their grievances.
Pandian has been overseeing the transformation of the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He has been steering the 5T Initiatives. While he can be seen at regular intervals at the Heritage Corridor Project in Puri reviewing its progress, he also holds review meetings with the district officials on the implementation of the welfare programs on a daily basis.
Some of the pathbreaking initiatives such as the 5T High School Transformation Program, Transformation of Health infrastructure throughout the state, development sporting infrastructure and making the state the hub of international sporting events in the country, transforming the cultural landscape with development of religious places are some of the examples that are being piloted by none other than V K Pandian.
If there is one man who is believed to have been instrumental in taking the state to new highs, its none other than VK Pandian. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s confidence on the 5T Secretary has resulted in the state getting accelerated all round development and growth. The spontaneous outpouring of love and affection by the masses on VK Pandian during his visit to the various places symbolizes that they are seeing him as the leader who delivers his promises.
Be it the attack by some BJP workers on his house in 2018 or the recent ink attack on him by one maniac at Satyabadi, Pandian has always been undeterred and continued with the single minded aim of Odisha’s development and working for people’s priorities. The merciful officer even forgave the person who had thrown ink on him and asked the police to let him off without any charges.
People of Odisha are so overwhelmed at V K Pandian for his work towards welfare of the people. The common man believes in him and knows that he is the person who can bring true development. The fact that lakhs of people attended the grievance programs held by V K Pandian proves how much they believe in him.
Pandian has all the qualities of a good leader to lead the state. A visionary, to understand that today’s decisions will shape the history. A through and quite listener who hears different opinions from those around and works with others towards common goals. An important aspect of his leadership is he leads by example rather than demanding that others follow him blindly. His strategic thinking has been helpful in identifying the real problems and issues of the people and their solutions. His integrity and honesty has brought him to the position he is in now.
His unquenchable love for Odisha and the people’s affection towards him are the testimony that Odisha needs his leadership. This day will be remembered in history as another milestone in its quest for development.
If the 5T Secretary joins active politics, it would be a welcome step as it will pave a new dawn of growth under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.