It was a pleasant surprise while at Trivandrum, Kerala for my niece's betrothal during the first week of July '15, to be asked by my b-i-law and sister to join them for breakfast at their newly renovated Govt accommodation on Kawdiyar road during July '15.
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| Yours faithfully with the Kerala Chief Secretary, Jiji Thomson .. |
Finally, the Chief Secretary, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the state, who was staying in rented premises had moved to government's own premises ! Only some people show the courage to take actions that will benefit the future officers coming to Trivandrum to administer the state. Everyone was afraid to bell the cat, Jiji Thomson took the bold step, as is always his customary style !
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Cousins, nephews and nieces ..
(stdg, L2R) cousin Sheeja, Sheeja's daughter from CMC Vellore,
achayan, son Easaw alias Jobin ,
(sitting L2R) Sheelumama, my wife Anila, daughter Susan alias Chinnu |
In spite of his very hectic schedule, managing a moderately big state, it's resources and large employee base, being responsible for any event, good or bad that happens anywhere in the state from Kasargod to Trivandrum, about 580 km length, at places about 120 kms wide, his responsibility being great, he found time for all of us. Our family had a great time talking about current political situation, global events, upcoming happenings and so on.
With a population of 34.8 million and covering 14 districts and with an area of 38,900 sq.km, Kerala is also one of the most beautiful places on planet earth, as has been listed by National Geographic Traveller magazine as one of the "Top Ten To-Be-Visited places in a lifetime on planet earth". Being a well wisher of the state, I would be the last person to cause any inconvenience to him and the state.
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| at reception of Sarah alias Ammu's betrothal with Jeff .. |
From the time I started observing him almost 32 years back, even while having breakfast, he was in control of the surroundings and himself, constantly checking his mobile for updates, attending to telephone calls, reconfirming the morning appointment at Secretariat with the Chief of Air Defence staff and so on. A self disciplined man, there is a lot to learn from his pro-activeness, sincerity and humility.
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| Sisters.. |
With the opposition political party targeting him time and again, due to some misunderstandings, which has reduced of late, he keeps his cool in spite of many false and incorrect news reports.
To be at the same time available to the people and govt employees of Kerala, to keep the development agenda in mind, to ensure there is peace, communal amity and an effective, efficient, people friendly, corrupt-free administration in the state is not a joke. Especially when you have people who are among the nation's most highly advanced in terms of literacy, political consciousness and social development, being equated to the state of New York in terms of social development by economists, the expectations from the people are great.
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| A kathakali painting |
Shri Jiji Thomson balances this act to the best of his ability, ensuring there is peace, social development, industrial and technological progress in the state and at the same time ensure the state resources are efficiently collected and well spent.
With great authority comes great responsibility !! I am reminded of this great quote from John D Rockefeller,
Every right implies a responsibility;
Every opportunity, an obligation,
Every possession, a duty. - John D. Rockefeller
May Kerala see the best development as never seen over the past six decades and may Kerala grow to great heights under this able, God-fearing and humble bureaucrat. The country needs more of such people.
George Easaw
P.S. : I am sure this writing will prompt him to give his best to the state and its people like never before ..
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