THIS MAN WORKED TIRELESSLY AS A RELIEF WORKER IN KERALA & NOBODY NOTICED HE WAS AN IAS OFFICER
Home > News Shots > IndiaBy Behindwoods News Bureau | Sep 06, 2018 01:47 PM
We are all aware of the incessant rains that wreaked havoc in the state of Kerala. When the state was reeling under the weight of monsoon, the country came together to lend a helping hand. We saw officials and celebrities jump in to do their bit.
In the midst of all of this, there was one person who worked tirelessly as a volunteer in the flood relief centres, without revealing his true identity. Turns out that the man is an IAS officer.
Kannan Gopinathan, the district collector of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, reportedly took an off from his duty to come out and help the state during the crisis. Just like the rest of the volunteers, Kannan was busy loading and unloading relief materials from the trucks.
According to a report in Manorama Online, the district collector worked for 10 days in flood-hit Kerala as a rehabilitation worker. At night he would take shelter at a local lodge.
#Thread Here's an incredible story about a young man who was busy with loading and unloading in #KeralaFloods relief centres. Only days later people came to know that he was none other than, Kannan Gopinathan, the Collector of Dadra & Nagar Haveli! (1/n) pic.twitter.com/PICbgoHn70
— Jikku Varghese Jacob (@Jikkuvarghese) September 5, 2018
Whenever other relief workers asked of his whereabouts, he identified himself as someone who works for an NGO. According to the report, he even travelled in KSRTC buses and went through 5 districts in 10 days as a volunteer.
However, when he reached the collection centre at Kochi, some of his fellow workers happened to know of his true identity. When Ernakulam district collector visited the Centre, the other volunteers were in for a shock. The man turned out to be an IAS officer.
Kannan, a 2012-batch IAS officers has also shared his experience of travelling in crowded buses and some lighter moments during his stay in the state.
Used to the comforts of private travel, I asked,
— Kannan (@naukarshah) August 27, 2018
Chetta.. Can I get an auto from here?
Why auto? Take the bus from there, it’s 10 rs & then a hardly a KM walk.
Couldn’t refuse that advice.
Public transport & walk!
Why do I forget it every few months.#detoxification
Aeroplane during turbulence & KSRTC on a good road. Two occasions I am scared as hell! pic.twitter.com/OUgSJeP8tz
— Kannan (@naukarshah) August 28, 2018
With every passing day, we hear amazing stories of courage, service, and selflessness from 'god's own country'. Our faith in humanity has been restored!