Karnataka IAS officer Deepa Cholan with her dad, mom and other kin in happier times. Both Deepa's parents succumbed to Covid -19 recently
Deepa is on leave looking after other kin while her husband, IAS officer and BBMP Special Commissioner (Health) Rajendra Cholan, has not let the tragedy affect his work for the welfare of Bengalureans
BENGALURU:
The dreaded coronavirus has not spared even the top bureaucrats of Karnataka. Within a span of just two weeks, Karnataka cadre IAS officer Deepa Cholan lost both her parents to Covid-19.
Deepa lost her father Srinivasa Murthy (64) on May 26 and her mother Rani Murthy (59) two weeks earlier. Both were admitted to Manipal Hospital on April 24 and April 29 respectively.
Deepa’s husband Rajendra Cholan, who is also an IAS officer, had a near-brush with tragedy. His father Balusamy Devar (63) and mother Ponnuthai Balusamy (59) had also contracted the virus but both have thankfully recovered.
Sources said Deepa’s sisters, aunt and cousins had also come in contact with the virus but have all recovered.
Deepa completed her studies from Bangalore University with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees before sitting for and cracking UPSC in 2008.
A Bengalurean, Deepa’s family members are settled in the Shrirampuram area. Deepa is married to her batchmate Rajendra Cholan who hails from Chennai. Cholan is a Karnataka cadre officer who is currently Special Commissioner (Health) in BBMP as well as Bengaluru Smart City’s Managing Director.
Work is worship for Rajendra
Rajendra did not take a break from his onerous responsibilities even when his in-laws were admitted in hospital. Deepa is on leave and is taking care of her family members. She is currently posted in the state Education Department as Mission Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
Visited and #inspected the progress of #Vaccination drive at Nayandanhalli Primary School. Also, made a visit to Pantarapalya PHC and inspected the progress and readiness of the fight against #Covid19#BBMPFightsCovid19 #LargestVaccineDrive pic.twitter.com/z639380LFv
— P. Rajendra Cholan,IAS (@BbmpsplHealth) May 29, 2021
During the difficult period for the couple, Rajendra could be seen attending marathon meetings with Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta and even with Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar. He also kept up his visits to various primary health centres in the city to ensure that every taxpayer in Bengaluru gets vaccinated.
“It really needs a big heart to return to work when you have lost your loved ones, and Rajendra has immersed himself in his work to ensure that vaccination is given the utmost priority. He hasn’t taken leave and is always seen attending various meetings to chalk out plans to control the spread of the virus,” said an IAS colleague.
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