The Centre has approved the voluntary retirement request of Sujata R Karthikeyan, an Odisha cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer known for her impactful contributions to higher education, sports, and women’s empowerment in the state. Ms. Karthikeyan, who served as a 2000-batch IAS officer, opted for voluntary retirement (VRS) two weeks ago. She is married to VK Pandian, a close associate of former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
A Trailblazer in Public Service
A graduate in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College and a Delhi University topper, Ms. Karthikeyan holds a Master’s degree in International Politics from Jawaharlal Nehru University and is a gold medallist from the IAS Academy. She made a significant mark early in her career as the collector of the Maoist-affected Sundargarh district. Under her leadership, she launched the “Mobility is Empowerment” cycle scheme, which encouraged high school students to attend school through sponsorships offered by a bank. This initiative significantly increased girls’ enrolment in schools and was later adopted by the state government across Odisha.
Pioneering Initiatives in Education and Sports
Ms. Karthikeyan is also credited with introducing eggs in the midday meal scheme in government schools of Sundergarh in 2006, an initiative that was inaugurated by Mr. Patnaik and later scaled up across the state. Recognizing the power of sports to transform lives, she promoted football to steer young people away from Maoist influence and set up hostels for boys and girls interested in pursuing hockey.
First Woman Collector of Cuttack and Social Welfare Leader
Breaking barriers, Ms. Karthikeyan became the first woman collector of Cuttack district. Later, as the Director of Social Welfare, she led the flagship Mission Shakti initiative launched by Mr. Patnaik, which aimed at empowering women through credit linkages to self-help groups (SHGs). This initiative brought together 70 lakh women, fostering entrepreneurship and social identity.
Women SHG members were taken on exposure visits to international destinations like Dubai and Singapore to learn from successful business models. To further enhance the marketing of SHG products, Mission Shakti bazaars were established across Odisha, and a boutique store was inaugurated in Bhubaneswar. The initiative gained international recognition when Microsoft founder Bill Gates visited one of these stores and praised the marketing strategies that connected rural products with urban consumers.
Cultural Contributions and Controversies
As Culture Secretary, Ms. Karthikeyan played a pivotal role in organizing the first World Odia Language Conference in Bhubaneswar, drawing participants from across the globe, including the Odia diaspora and thousands of college students. The event was widely hailed as a success.
However, her career was not without challenges. During last year’s state elections, the Election Commission (EC) transferred her to a less influential post after the BJP filed a complaint alleging her bias towards the BJD. After the BJP won the state elections, defeating the BJD’s two-decade rule, her husband VK Pandian withdrew from active politics.
End of an Era
Following the political transition, Ms. Karthikeyan took six months of child care leave and sought an extension, which the new BJP-led state government declined. She eventually resumed her duties as the Special Secretary in the Finance Department, where she served until her retirement.
Ms. Karthikeyan’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career characterized by pioneering initiatives and a strong commitment to public service, leaving behind a legacy of empowerment and social change in Odisha.
