K Kailashnathan: From Vadakara to Puducherry's Lieutenant Governor

Vadakara: K Kailashnathan, originally from Vadakara, has been appointed as Puducherry's new Lieutenant Governor after a distinguished long career in Gujarat. Having recently retired from service on June 30, Kailashnathan was appointed by the President. He brings with him a wealth of administrative experience, having served in various capacities, including as the Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Kailashnathan's roots trace back to Vadakara, where he was born to Govindan and Leela. He did his basic education from Ooty, as his father was a postmaster there and later to the Theosophical Society's school in Adyar, Chennai, supported by an All India Merit Scholarship.

Entering the IAS in 1979, Kailashnathan started his career as an Assistant Collector in Baroda under the Gujarat Cadre. His tenure in Gujarat also included his role as Principal Secretary. He was a trusted official of Narendra Modi. Despite retiring in 2013, Kailashnathan was appointed as Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.

Kailashnathan's wife, Beena, is the daughter of TR Raghavan, a partner in the Thrissur Elite Group. They have two children: Yamini, a doctor based in the UK, and Rohith, a businessman.