Keonjhar: The once-discreet V K Pandian, Secretary to Chief Minister (Transformation and Initiatives), is slowly stepping out of the shadows to become face of Odisha administration.
He has been visiting district headquarters hospitals to review healthcare facilities and infrastructure under the ‘Mo Sarkar’ programme since one week. The Secretary has been interacting with the patients for feedback on quality of service being provided in these government-run hospitals.
He and other officials were also seen having lunch at the Aahar Centre at Boudh hospital.
Pandian is known for his administrative acumen. But during his visit to Keonjhar on Sunday, another side of this 2000-batch IAS officer came to the fore.
After visiting Keonjhar district headquarters hospital, he was to proceed to the Circuit House where lunch was arranged for him. In a last moment change of programme, he decided instead to have lunch with the children of Manoj Manjari Sishu Bhawan.
“The Secretary had rice, daal, paneer curry and chutney with the children. He enquired about their well being and asked them about their ambition in life,” said Keonjhar Collector Ashish Takre.
Aided by government, it is home to orphans and children of single parent children and those abandoned. There are 50 boys and 49 girls in the shelter, including 13 babies.
Pandian also took stock of availability of basic amenities at the facility, the Collector added.
