Job well done, CM Pinarayi Vijayan tells SM Vijayanand, Sheela Thomas

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday lauded services of chief secretary S.M. Vijayanand and additional chief secretary Sheela Thomas.

At the send-off held at the secretariat Durbar Hall here, the chief minister described the top bureaucrats as down to earth personalities who left a lasting impression on everyone. He recalled their contribution in various departments.

Revenue minister E. Chandrashekharan recalled attending Vijayanand’s marriage. The chief secretary responded saying his marriage was attended by the chief minister and all ministers. “I am so glad that the chief minister and 15 ministers are here for the send off today,” he said.

Vijayanand shared one of his experiences as Kollam collector. “On a Sunday afternoon an elderly woman came to meet me. She wanted a ration card. Her demand was taken care of. Two months later she came along with another elderly lady who too wanted a ration card. Many months later a young girl visited my office. She said her late grandmother had told her that there is a collector and in case of any problem you could go and meet him. It was then I realised how much trust people have in us,” he recollected.

Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas said in 1980 when he was a student leader, Vijayanand came to inaugurate a college function in Thiruvalla. “By sporting a beard, carrying a sling bag or wearing a kurta, one does not become an intellectual. Interestingly I was the only one having that appearance at that time,” he recollected.

Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac recalled his association with Vijayanand during the peoples plan campaign when the latter was local self government secretary.