He is currently working as the Commissioner of Handlooms, Govt of Tamil Nadu and Managing Director of Co-optex,- the largest Apex Co-operative society in the country.
He completed his Masters in English from Madras Christian College and belonged to the first batch of IIFM’ites (Class of 1988-90) in Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. He joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and was assigned Tamil Nadu Cadre of 2004 batch. He has been the recipient of several prestigious awards / medals and Plaque from Central & State Governments and national level institutions.
Acknowledged as a result-oriented bureaucrat, Mr T.P. Rajesh, has demonstrated exceptional administrative acumen in handling various decisional roles and sensitive assignments as part of member of the Administrative and governance structure and created impactful transformations in the workplace and among stakeholders through innovative convergence models for the benefit of common public.
His functional competency in core areas include Social innovations, Education, Project management, Organizational Development, Urban Governance, Rural Development, e-Governance, Financial inclusion, Women & Child Development, Social Security Measures, Strategic Market Outreach, Employment Generation, Human Resources Development, and conducting of Elections.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tp-rajesh-ias-b0944025b/
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A. My journey from IIFM to my current role has been a long and exciting one, spanning over three decades with many twists and turns. I experienced a sense of professional accomplishment when I received an award from Her Excellency The President of India for my work among Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and two Chief Minister Awards as the Best Collector. Notably, I was one of the ten collectors in the country to receive citations/plaques from Honorable Menakha Gandhi for my work in abolishing child labor under the BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO scheme.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learnings in this journey that you would like to share?
A. Throughout my career in civil service, I held various demanding positions. For example, I served as Joint Secretary of Protocol during the tenures of both Dr. Jayalalitha and Dr. M.K. Karunanidhi. This role involved making sensitive protocol, security, and logistic arrangements for various Heads of Government and Heads of States visiting Tamil Nadu. This role required high-level coordination, personal rapport with multiple Central and State agencies, strategic planning, and meticulous execution. The key takeaways are the complete involvement, 360-degree perspective, importance of personal rapport, constant reviews and field visits to understand ground realities, and addressing issues promptly.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A. The most satisfying part of my entire career, as IAS officer, is the tenure of District Magistrate, where abundant resources and functional freedom are available to make a substantial difference in the lives of the ordinary people. I was privileged to work as district Collector in 4 districts of Tamil Nadu for over 5 years. As for my current role, I’ve found satisfaction in revitalizing the handloom sector by introducing innovative models, premiumization of products, adopting IoT-based technology for authenticity, brand repositioning, and aggressive digital marketing. These initiatives have made a turnaround in Co-optex from a cumulative loss of 7.46 cr to a whopping profit of 8.5 cr during 2022-23; and expanded our presence in global market space for hand woven products in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Russia, UAE and Italy.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped shape how you approach your professional roles?
A. Yes, my learning at IIFM played a crucial role in shaping my professional approach. It provided me with valuable knowledge and insights that have been instrumental throughout my career.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your career? What advice would you give to freshers and IIFM graduates looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
A. The biggest drivers in my career have been the passion for excellence, hard work, and building good relationships with peers and colleagues. My advice to freshers and IIFM graduates is to excel in their chosen domain, be smart in their work, and establish strong rapport with peers and colleagues.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. My favorite memories from my IIFM days are the Holi celebrations, which were a great source of enjoyment and camaraderie.
Q. In hindsight, what was the most significant contribution from IIFM that played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. I believe that the dedication of the faculty members at IIFM to provide the best education and domain knowledge was invaluable. It helped me in my formative years and prepared me for the real world, despite the initial challenges and life adjustments.
Q. The best buddies/seniors/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits you’d like to share.
A. As a part of the first batch, I had the privilege of closely connecting with faculty members. I am grateful for the support I received from professors like Prof. Poddar, Prof. Pethiyaa, Prof. Jayaram, and Prof. Melkania during my formative years at IIFM. I struggled as a below-average student, often finding myself towards the back of the class. Surviving those challenging times was no small feat, but with the invaluable support and guidance from my Professors, I managed to navigate through those difficulties. It was great time I spent at IIFM campus which will always remain alive in my memories.
Q. As alumni, what advice would you give to freshers or those joining IIFM to make the most of their two years there?
A. In today’s digital era with an abundance of information available, I would advise freshers to focus on domain knowledge and stay updated with required AI and IOT based knowledge explosion and attempt to apply in the forest management scenario. Build a strong foundation in your chosen field, as it will serve as the basis for your future success.
Q. What is your typical day at the office?
A. My typical workday starts at 9:45 am, involves handling office correspondence, conducting review meetings, and often extends until around 8 pm.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family, and anything else you’d like to add?
A. On Saturdays, I usually spend time in the office, completing any pending work that needs attention. Sundays are dedicated to quality time with my family, enjoying meals together, and taking them out to local eateries. My work is a 24/7 commitment, and I also fulfill responsibilities as a monitoring officer for Karur district for Scheme Implementation.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitment. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alums and students?
A. I would be happy to get involved with IIFM by offering guest lectures to share my knowledge and insights on emerging global issues. I can also participate in a think tank to suggest transformative changes and refine the course curriculum to keep the PGDFM course relevant and updated in the current era. Furthermore, I believe that students, although smart, need professional grooming for eventual placements. An essential yardstick for evaluating any professional institute is the remunerative packages it offers to students during placements.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now compared to when you studied there? What changes are positive, and what are not?
A. I am not qualified to make a comparative analysis of how IIFM has evolved over the past 30 years, as I have not visited the institute for a long time. However, I believe that IIFM should adapt to emerging trends in Green initiatives, circular economy, sustainability, and technology in the forestry sector. The curriculum should incorporate new technology subjects and specialties to meet the global demand.