Kannan Gopinathan, a former IAS officer from Kerala, gained national attention for his resignation, citing concerns over the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370. His actions sparked significant debate and discussion.

Wiki/Biography

Kannan Gopinathan was born on Thursday, December 12, 1985 (age 37 as of 2022), in Kottayam, Kerala. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius. He completed his schooling at the Technical Higher Secondary School, Puthuppally, Kerala. He then pursued a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand. After graduation, he worked as a design engineer at Freescale Semiconductors for four years, concurrently volunteering with AID India, where he taught underprivileged children.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5’9″
• Eye Colour: Dark Brown
• Hair Colour: Black

Family, Caste, & Wife

Kannan Gopinathan comes from a Hindu Brahmin family. Details about his wider family remain largely private. He’s married to Himani Pathak, whom he met while volunteering with AID India. They have a son named Aadu.

Career

His IAS career began in July 2013 as an Assistant Collector in Delhi, a post he held until July 2014. He was then transferred to Mizoram as the Deputy Collector of Hnahthial in September 2014. After a year and a half, he was promoted to District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner of Aizawl in February 2016. He served in this role until December 2017, when he was appointed District Collector of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. There, he became Managing Director of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (DNHPDCL), successfully turning around this previously loss-making government department.

Controversies

His resignation from the IAS on August 21, 2019, drew considerable public attention and criticism. He openly cited the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir and a perceived lack of freedom of speech within the IAS as his primary reasons for leaving. Subsequently, on November 6, 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs filed a charge sheet against him, accusing him of insubordination. Gopinathan publicly shared the charge sheet on Twitter.

Favourites

• Actor: Amitabh Bachchan
• Movie: Zanjeer (1973)
• Singer(s): Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjiani
• Comedian: Raju Srivastava

Facts/Trivia

Kannan enjoys traveling, badminton, music, and playing the drums. His selfless volunteer work during the 2018 Kerala floods, initially kept secret, garnered widespread praise after his identity was revealed. He also donated a significant sum to the Kerala CM Disaster Relief Fund and played a key role in encouraging sports development initiatives in Mizoram during his time there.

Achievements and Contributions

Beyond his professional career, Kannan Gopinathan has shown a dedication to public service. His work with AID India, his volunteer efforts during the Kerala floods, and his contribution to the Kerala CM Disaster Relief Fund all highlight his commitment to helping others. His advocacy for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and his willingness to speak out against what he perceived as injustice further underscores his character.

Key Dates and Events