KOCHI: Former Ernakulam District Collector K R Rajan,73, died at a private hospital here on Monday. Rajan was taken to the hospital for his routine check-up on Monday morning where he breathed his last at 4.55 pm, owing to sudden illness.Rajan was serving as the chairman of the Ernakulam Specialist Hospital and Gurudeva Trust. He was also the CMD of Telk Angamali.Rajan was the only district collector of Ernakulam who held the post twice (1981 and 1987 -90). His role was decisive in transferring the Collectorate to Kakkanad, which later proved to be a great success. The partnership between former Collector S Krishnakumar and the then RDO K R Rajan played the most significant role in bringing about major changes in Kochi.It was the mass ‘Total Literacy Campaign’ he undertook as the district collector which made Ernakulam the first district in India to achieve 100 per cent literacy. The then Prime Minister V P Singh declared Ernakulam as the district to attain 100 per cent literacy. His policy in literacy was then adopted by the government in 10 other districts. Rajan also played a key role in making Ernakulam a biotechnological district. When Dr M S Swaminathan moved a resolution in the Indian Science Congress to make all districts bio-technologically equipped, Rajan grabbed the opportunity and submitted a proposal which was accepted by the then Central government.Rajan is survived by wife Shyamala , daughter Nitha Rajan and son in-law Abhilash. The body will be kept at his residence in Pullepady for the public to pay homage. Cremation will be held at Ravipuram crematorium on Tuesday at 4.55 pm.
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