The loss inflicted by the demise of Sree D Babu Paul, an administrative expert, speaker, writer and out and out scholar, to Kerala’s public life is indescribable.
Usually a top bureaucrat, post his retirement, will lead a secluded life, but Babu Paul is an exception to this. During his more than three-decade official life and post-retirement life that spanned more than two decades, he continued to be an indispensable presence in the social arena.

Beginning his bureaucratic career as a sub-collector, he ended it when he voluntarily retired as Additional chief secretary under chief secretary rank. Later he became the Obudsman. During all these phases of his career, he exhibited his sincerity and administrative skill and thus became an unavoidable presence in the socio-cultural life of Kerala.

During his illustrious career Babu Paul held several key posts including member Ombudsman for the Local Self-Government institutions and vice-chancellor of the Kerala University. During his final years, he had been serving as an independent member of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board.

The other posts occupied by Paul include First Member, Board of Revenue, Finance Secretary, Principal Secretary for Tourism, Information and Cultural Affairs, second member, Board of Revenue, chairman of the Cochin Port Trust; Secretary of Transport, Fisheries and Ports; Expenditure Secretary; Chief Executive of the KSRTC; managing director of Travancore Titanium and Project Coordinator of Idukki Hydel Project.

Babu Paul penned several books and authored well-read articles in magazines and newspapers. He earned fame for authoring Veda Sabda Retnakaram, a Bible dictionary. It received Kerala Sahithya Academy award. Among his autobiographical service stories Giri Parvam and Kadha Ithuvare, the second one is a huge hit. More than 35 books written by him have been published.

What led Babu Paul in his life and made his life meaningful is his strong unwavering belief in God. He always upheld the thought that the earth belongs to all beings on earth.

As far as Kerala Kaumudi is concerned, Babu Paul had always been like a member of our family
This relationship started even from the time of Kerala Kaumudi’s founder editor.
What has died out now is the flame of love. We condole the demise of this great soul and share the grief of the mourning family members.