Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 19: The district administration held a valedictory ceremony for outgoing deputy commissioner (DC) Mullai Muhilan at the DC office in Padil on Thursday, June 19. On this occasion, the new DC, Darshan K V, was also formally welcomed.
After serving for two years as the DC of Dakshina Kannada (DK), Mullai Muhilan has been transferred to Bengaluru, where he will serve as the inspector general of registration and commissioner of stamps.
Mullai Muhilan, accompanied by his wife and parents, was felicitated during the event.
In his farewell address, Muhilan said, “Mangaluru holds a very special place in my heart. Once, during a trip to the US, I heard people speaking Tulu at the airport. I told them, ‘I am Kudla’s DC,’ and it is an emotion. We worked as a team, and I am thankful to every department for their support. We resolved nearly 650 court cases, many of which were pending for over seven years.”
Recalling his time working with senior officers, he said, “Former police commissioner Anupam Agrawal, IPS officers Rishyanth and Yathish, and I worked together without ego clashes, supporting one another throughout.”
He shared insights into administrative decisions, saying, “Regarding school holidays, we would sometimes discuss matters as late as 11 pm, consult tahsildars and block education officers, and make decisions even at 5 am. Thanks to senior officer L K Atheeq, who was a great influence, several long-pending Smart City projects were completed. Mangaluru has immense potential and talent—this civil society must continue moving forward.”
Reflecting on his tenure, he said, “It felt like a T20 match over these two years. I may have pushed the staff hard, but it was worth it. We provided RTC documents to 10,000 beneficiaries. I believe Darshan K V, the new DC, has good intentions and remarkable patience.”
“I can wholeheartedly say that people here accepted me as one of their own sons. Kudla will always remain a part of me, emotionally and personally,” he added.
Muhilan also credited his family for their support: “My wife, an architect, contributed to heritage building initiatives while being incredibly supportive. My parents, both state government employees, have always inspired me. I believe sincerity, love, and happiness matter more than a lavish lifestyle.”
New DC Darshan K V expressed admiration for his predecessor saying, “The large turnout at this ceremony reflects Mullai Muhilan’s popularity and the love he earned in this district. When he handed me the official mobile phone, I received 25–27 calls in the first 10 minutes from students, teachers, artistes, common citizens, and community representatives. I asked my driver if the DC is expected to be in contact with everyone—it was a touching realization. It is a valuable lesson for me.”
“I will follow in his footsteps. He is a great listener, leads from the front, and understands local sensitivities. The people of Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada will always remember him,” Darshan K V added.
Additional DC Santhosh Kumar remarked, “When Mullai Muhilan took charge, Dakshina Kannada ranked 27th in revenue collection; under his leadership, we climbed to the 2nd position. Providing RTCs to 10,000 beneficiaries required extensive fieldwork and coordination. His vision transformed the Karavali Utsav, creating a platform for local talent to shine on a global stage.”
Zilla panchayat CEO Dr Anand praised Muhilan’s leadership, saying, “He possesses three vital qualities: vision, understanding of the district’s potential, and effective human resource management. He institutionalized Karavali Utsav, created an event framework, and resolved several long-pending revenue issues.”
Retired additional DC Prabhakar Sharma shared, “It is an emotional moment. Mullai Muhilan took charge two years ago and was transferred just a month after inaugurating the new DC office. He had a deep connection to this land—his commitment led to the old DC office being designated a heritage building, with the government sanctioning Rs 2 crore for its preservation.”
District conservator of forests Anthony Mariappa said, “Many complex issues were tackled under his leadership. He fostered cooperation among departments and discouraged inter-departmental conflicts. His visionary leadership will serve as a model for others.”
Assistant commissioner Harshvardhan said, “When we first inspected the new DC office at Praja Soudha, it looked like it would take at least five years to complete. However, Mullai Muhilan took it as a challenge and successfully completed the project within a limited budget, paying attention to every minute detail. He also took the initiative to resolve a long-pending issue by ensuring RTCs were distributed to beneficiaries during the inauguration of the new DC office. For the success of Karavali Utsava, he personally conducted meetings with each stakeholder. After a gap of five years, the festival was finally held in a grand and memorable manner, thanks to his leadership.”
Moodbidri tahsildar Shridhar also spoke fondly of his time working with Muhilan. Shridhar said, “I worked with him in Uttar Kannada during the flood and COVID-19 crises. When he became DC of Dakshina Kannada, I sought a transfer here too. He encouraged open discussions and offered practical guidance—always ready with a solution.”