Kolar mourns its once-beloved DC

D K Ravi, the IAS officer who was found dead at his residence in Bengaluru on Monday, was popular as “our DC” for the people of Kolar. Ravi served as deputy commissioner of Kolar district from August 2013 to October 2014.

His was a pro-people approach from the day he assumed office. Ravi had won the hearts of the people of the parched district through his measures to ameliorate their plight. He had so endeared himself to the people of Kolar that even after six months of his transfer, Ravi was being referred to as “Our DC.” His transfer had evoked strong protest from the civic society and there was even a call for Kolar bundh.

Ravi had initiated several measures to address problems faced by people. He came out with the concept of “Revenue adalat” and “Podi adalat” to resolve the grievances pertaining to agricultural land. Farmers who had to run from pillar to post for demarcating their lands, got the job done at their doorsteps. The initiative helped in settling several land disputes. The government has now decided to emulate the model across the State. If people are to be believed, Ravi’s uncompromising stance on protecting public properties and quality of development works, led to his transfer.

His transfer proposal had gained ground after he ordered clearance of land found to have been encroached by a realty firm.

Ravi used to conduct classes for IAS aspirants at T Chennaiah Rangamandira in Kolar every Sundays. His three-hour classes used to draw a large number of civil service aspirants. Several people from Kolar were in regular contact with Ravi even after his transfer.

A pall of gloom descended on Kolar soon after the news of Ravi’s death spread. Traders closed down their shops voluntarily and the town wore a deserted look in a short span of time. Hundreds of youth took out a rally in the town condemning the death. Several organisations have called for a Kolar district bundh on Tuesday.  A candle light vigil was held at Gandhi Bhavan and some of the participants were seen crying inconsolably.

“The death of Ravi indicates the fate that awaits honest persons,” a wailing Zilla Panchayat member Chowdeshwari summed up.