The District Collector Arjun Pandian interacts with students in the “Meet Your Collector” program at Thrissur Collectate. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“The Mržmo (Chendumalli), which we planted, flourished. You should come to harvest,” said one of the 21 different individuals from the Thalir Buds rehabilitation center in Velures Grama Panchayat to throw the collector Arjun Pandian. They were guests in the personal program “Meet Your Collector” held by a collector.
What began as an informal chat with students has grown to a successful interactive platform that connects students and other citizens with the management of public affairs.
September 27 with 50 edition of the program will develop at the picturesque Muniyattukunnnnnnnu Hill in Varandarappilly, where Mr. Pandian will communicate with schoolchildren from Panchayat.
The District Collector Arjun Pandian interacts with students in the “Meet Your Collector” program at Thrissur Collectate. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement,
“The children randomly plunged into my office and sometimes we visited schools and colleges,” recalls Mr. Pandian. “But many, especially from rural areas, never had a chance to see the collector. At that time we were thinking about creating a platform where students could communicate freely with the administration.”
The program was launched in August 2024 with students and teachers of the Government School of PamPady as guests and since then reached 34 schools, 16 universities and more than 1,500 participants, including various children, Anganwadi teachers, Harith Karma, seniors and cultural groups. The meetings take place on Wednesday without disrupting the official work.
Also leadership
Interactions are honest and extensive. “Students cause small but very real problems from everyday life,” says Mr. Pandian. “We are trying to solve the problem with the help of the police or the Ministry of Education.
The impact was tangible. Students’ proposals have led to the distribution of sports equipment, laptops and bikes for schools and students, performing educational tours and even a special arrangement for various children who can enjoy Thrissur Paarram and Pulikali. In one case, concerns raised by students caused a specialized mechanism that emphasized transport problems directly to the regional transport official.
The importance of the venue
As the program enters into its 50th chapter, the venue is important. “We chose Muniyattukunn not only for a milestone, but also to emphasize his tourism,” says Mr. Pandian. “We cooperate with the tourism department on its development as a key destination.” Meet your collector “, it’s not just about dialogue, but about shaping the future of the district together.”
The Thrissur initiative has already inspired similar programs in other districts of Kerala, which meant a shift towards a more transparent administration for people.
Published – 26 September 2025 20:35
