From Childhood Memories to Administrative Mission: How Personal Struggles Shaped Collector Arjun Pandian’s Transformation of Anganwadis

For Arjun Pandian, anganwadis are not just government institutions — they are a living part of his life story.

The 2017-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre grew up watching his mother serve as an anganwadi worker for over 26 years in the hilly regions of Idukki district.

It is this close, personal connection that has driven his deep commitment to strengthening grassroots childcare centres.

When Pandian took charge as the District Collector of Thrissur in 2024, one of his priorities was to rejuvenate anganwadis — not merely as nutrition centres, but as vibrant community hubs that could nurture children and bring villages together.

This month, his efforts were nationally recognised when he received the Best District Collector Award under the Integrated Child Development Services instituted by the Women and Child Development Department.

Understanding Pain Builds Purpose

Those who have lived through challenges often understand their depth far better than those who view them from afar.

For Pandian, anganwadis were never abstract policy units — they were where his mother worked tirelessly, where children gathered, and where community life unfolded.

“I have been closely associated with anganwadis and have immense respect for their workers,” Pandian shared.

“I used to go to the anganwadi where my mother worked. She is my role model. Even today, when I visit my native village of Elappura in Idukki, I spend time with children at the local anganwadi.”

His father, C. Pandian, is a farmer, grounding the officer further in the realities of rural life.

Turning Anganwadis into Community Centres

In less than two years, Pandian has launched several child-focused and community-oriented initiatives across the Thrissur district.

Believing anganwadis should serve the entire village, he introduced libraries within these centres to encourage reading habits among elders and students alike.

Under the programme titled “Va Vayikkam (Come, Let Us Read)”, books were collected through CSR funding as well as public contributions.

So far:

• 15 anganwadi libraries have already been set up
• Another 15 are currently under development

Inspired by the initiative, several panchayats have stepped forward to convert anganwadis into full-fledged community centres.

Solving Infrastructure Gaps

When Pandian assumed office, nearly 300 anganwadis in Thrissur district lacked their own buildings and basic facilities.

Thanks to his focused push:

• 20 centres now have permanent infrastructure
• Formalities for 50 more have already been completed

In a heartfelt gesture, the anganwadi at Arimbur Panchayat was named “Collector’s Dream”, honouring the officer who helped resolve its long-standing infrastructure issues.

To ensure steady progress, Pandian formed a taluk-level review committee involving various departments, which evaluates developments every month.

Listening to Children’s Voices

Beyond buildings and books, the Collector has made it a point to connect personally with young minds.

Every week, he meets 20 schoolchildren from different parts of the district in his chamber.

So far, 53 such interaction sessions have been held, where children openly share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns.

A Journey of Hard Work

Before clearing the civil services exam on his second attempt, Pandian worked for two-and-a-half years in the IT sector after completing his B.Tech degree.

During his college days, he even worked at a tea estate — experiences that further shaped his understanding of grassroots struggles.

A Mother’s Pride

About 150 km away from Thrissur, Pandian’s mother, S. Usha Kumari, continues her daily routine at Anganwadi Number 46 in Elappura Panchayat, Idukki.

She recalled how her son would often ask her about the challenges faced by anganwadi workers.

“I became an anganwadi teacher after Arjun started school,” she said. “My dream is to see my son lead the Women and Child Development Department one day. I want to work under my son.”

A Rare and Emotional Moment

On Tuesday, when Veena George presented the Best Collector Award to Pandian, Usha Kumari was present in the audience.

The minister remarked,
“It was a rare occasion. The son’s work in the district is also a tribute to the community represented by his mother.”

A Story of Empathy in Governance

Arjun Pandian’s journey is a powerful reminder that those who have witnessed hardship up close often lead with greater compassion and clarity.

By understanding the struggles of anganwadi workers from childhood, he has transformed that lived experience into meaningful administrative reform — proving that empathy can be one of the strongest tools in governance.

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