R. Gopalaswamy IAS (Rtd)
Former PWD Secretary to Government of Kerala 1967-73
I met T.K.Divakaran for the first time when I was posted as Secretary, Public Works Department in 1967. Till 1973, when I left for Delhi to join as Joint Secretary to Government of India, I worked for six years in the Public Works Department and with him. I took him as he was, simple courteous, and sparse in words. I did not even enquire about his past. In fact, I never made enquiries about any of my Ministers’ background in general. I had to work with Ministers, whoever he or she was, and what mattered was our relationship with mutual regard and respect. I found in Divakaran this empathy. We worked together, each knowing our duties and limitations. I could not have asked for more. I used to hear that he had not studied much. It did not matter. He was a Minister and I was to assist him, guide him whenever necessary and say or write frankly what I felt about a matter. He understood me well. Together we did our best.
V. Ramachandran IAS (Rtd)
Vice Chairman, State Planning Board and Former Chief Secretary
Sri. T.K.Divakaran rose from very humble beginnings to be a senior political leader and an able administrator. He could identify the core of any problem objectively, consider in a positive way various alternatives, and finally adopt and implement the most practicable one, without harping about an ideal solution. His calm temperament, courteous behaviour and basic public-spiritedness were great assets, which won for him many admirers and friends.
