By D N Singh
Now there is no need anymore to watch the rain through the windows, just open the door and feel it.
In Odisha, a state usually wedded to a quietness of politics today resonates with talks over the catapulting rise of a bureaucrat, V K Pandian who has remained as a topic of debate and whisper for others of his ilk.
By the blessings of the unquestioned regional chieftain Naveen Patnaik, the chief minister of Odisha, Pandian has been able to turn many heads towards him by his performance as a bureaucrat and an invisible political strategist since his association with Patnaik as his private secretary and then 5T secretary .
Now he has been elevated to the position of the Chairman of 5T for ‘Nabin Odisha’ implying to become a pragmatic dream runner for the BJD supremo Patnaik.
Not to be economical with truth, Patnaik has so far remained taciturn over his successor that any other leader at 77 must be mulling.
Remaining as a close lieutenant in Naveen’s administration and seemingly playing a constructive and circuitous role as a political navigator for his boss, there is nothing much to wonder if tomorrow he is gifted with a gate-pass into politics.
Since some months V K Pandian is on a whirlwind tour around the state taking stock of the bottom realities, inter- acting with common people, listening to their grievances as an ardent intermediary between people and the CM .
As advised by the boss, Pandian, apparently an early riser, kick-starts his schedule at dawn and can be seen strutting through the streets under the sun at the designated locations leaving others almost on the toes.
Dressed simply V K exudes simplicity contrary to what the usual officialdom usually identifies itself with ; but his inner silence at last translates into business he wants and whispers around stop.
He does not allow languor to come on the way of his pace at a quick finish before he leaves.
Going by the ground reports, like his boss, V K also takes no resort in rhetorical pedagogy and instead focuses on delivery.
He appears often so accessible during his visits, talking to the people on the ground and inspiring his official colleagues for the changes and reforms required.
