With Dr. Santosh Babu

With Raju - Founder and Chairman Satyam Computers and Dr. Santhosh Babu

I always hold a very high regards for the Bureaucrats in Tamil Nadu . During Connect 2008 I had a chance to get introduced yet to another very dynamic IAS officer Dr Santosh Babu who is the new MD of ELCOT (Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu). An MBBS by profession Dr Santosh Babu chose to get into the Civil Services in 1995 ignoring a certain and lucrative career in medicine. Prior to this he was the District Collector, Krishnagiri district of Tamilnadu.He is always bubbling with enthusiasm and a very high level of energy, restless to do something for the people.He displays a very positive attitude which is extremely infectious.

He is credited with creating the first paperless government office in Tamil Nadu as the Executive Director of Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Ltd in November 2001. He has also been instrumental in computerization of the Chief Minister’s special cell while serving as the special officer, with the department.

During his 10 years tenure with the IAS, he has contributed in many areas like participatory development, panchayati raj, literacy, health, sanitation and child rights. Championing for the cause of gender bias. He has also initiated and executed computerization of all 14 Block Development offices in Tiruvallur district in 1999. His other initiatives include the RASI project-rural access service through the Internet-in Sivaganga through use of Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) technology in 2003.

Dr. Santhosh Babu is credited as the brainchild of several educational initiatives such as ‘back2school’ ( www.back2school.in ), Ariviyal Anandam (Joy of science) program and Padippum Inikkum ("Education is interesting too").

He is the recipient of the Dataquest e-Governance Champion Award in 2006.

His efforts in Krishnagiri have resulted in bringing many youth into the societal mainstream who otherwise could have fallen into wrong ideologies like the Naxalites movements.