IAS Arjun Pandian: From Anganwadi Child to Award-Winning Collector, Transforming Rural Kerala

• IAS Arjun Pandian (2017 batch, Kerala cadre) is transforming Anganwadis in Thrissur, inspired by his mother, S. Usha Kumari, an Anganwadi worker for 26 years in Idukki.
• As District Collector of Thrissur, he won the 'Best District Collector' award for converting Anganwadis into modern 'community centers' and providing own buildings to 300 centers.
• He initiated the 'Collector's Dream' project, under which 20 Anganwadis have new buildings and 50 more are under construction, with one named 'Collector's Dream' in Arimpur Panchayat.
• Pandian introduced libraries in Anganwadis through the 'Va Vayikkam' program, establishing 15 libraries and planning 15 more, funded by CSR and public cooperation.
• He maintains a 'child-centric' approach, meeting 20 students weekly to gather their opinions and incorporate suggestions into his plans, having held 53 such meetings.