IAS officer Dr J Radhakrishnan leads from the front when it comes to tsunami relief, rehab, and Covid-19
Dr J Radhakrishnan is remembered for his tsunami relief and restoration work in Tamil Nadu's coastal districts. He is also led from the front during Covid-19. On the morning of December 26, 2004, Dr J Radhakrishnan, Thanjavur's then-district collector, was at the tennis court when he felt the ground lightly shake. The 1992-batch IAS official had no idea that from that day forward, he would have to witness a catastrophic tragedy the likes of which he or the state of Tamil Nadu had not seen in recent memory. Tamil Nadu had been struck by a massive tsunami. Radhakrishnan became aware of the gravity of the situation when he began receiving phone calls from collectors in neighbouring districts requesting ambulances and relief supplies. Soon after, he received orders to rush to the damaged areas in neighbouring districts and supervise relief efforts. Around 2,000 people were killed in the surrounding Akkaraipettai. Today, 17 years later, Radhakrishnan is remembered for...