Dr Daniel Babu Paul- an IAS officer, a visionary, an administrator par excellence, a mentor and author- a man Kerala revered- passed away at the age of 78.
The former Additional Chief Secretary, had been reportedly receiving treatment at a private hospital in Kerala for the past one week. According to reports, his death was caused by a foot infection due to acute diabetes which subsequently affected his liver and kidneys. After suffering a heart attack on Friday, he was rushed to the KIMS hospital where he passed away following a multi organ failure.
Born in 1941 to PA Poulose and Mary Paul, Dr Babu Paul was a celebrated IAS officer who had served in several government departments including finance, culture, education and tourism while in service, in various capacities.
An illustrious student, Dr Paul had won many scholarships from the King of Travancore during his school and college days and secured first rank for his Master's course. A civil engineer, he had entered government service as a junior engineer, it was during this time that he cracked the civil services exam securing 7th rank. He was 21 years old then.
Among the several achievements in his career is the construction of the Idukki Dam - one of the highest arch dams in Asia - which he completed. When the district of Idukki was announced in 1971, Babu Paul took over as it's first Collector. He then took on the project to construct the Idukki dam, a plan that had several detractors. He continued to work in Idukki till 1975, till the dam's construction was over. In his biography, Babu Paul has reminisced much about Idukki fondly and had written proudly about the role he played in shaping the district.
Dr Babu Paul retired from service in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary. With his decades long service, he has left his mark in Kerala with the ideas he implemented when he served as Port Trust Chairman, MD of KSRTC and Vice Chancellor of the Kerala University.
Following his retirement at the age of 51, he took up the role of ombudsman for local self-government institutions of Kerala. At the same time he also assumed the post of mentor emeritus at the Kerala Civil Service Academy, a centre that helps mentors civil service aspirants in Kerala.
A celebrated orator and writer, Dr Babu Paul published his first book ‘Oru Yathrayude Ormakal, at age 19. The book was on his trip to Europe which he had taken to participate in the International Students Conference. Apart from this, he has also published an autobiography of his years in service titled Katha Ithuvare (the story thus far) in 2001. He is also published a Malayalam Bible Dictionary titled Veda Sabda Rathnakaran.
Dr Paul is survived by his two children Mariyam and Cheriyan. His wife Anna Babu Paul passed away in 2000. His funeral and last rites will be held at Kuruppampadi on Sunday evening.
Babu Paul was in Idukki till the dam, one of the highest arch dams in Asia, was commissioned in October, 1975.