District administration honours outgoing DC Mullai Muhilan’s leadership and legacy

District administration honours outgoing DC Mullai Muhilan’s leadership and legacy

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 19, 2025: The district administration held a farewell ceremony for outgoing Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mullai Muhilan at the DC office in Padil on Thursday. The event also marked the official welcome of the new DC, Darshan K V.

Mullai Muhilan, who served as the DC of Dakshina Kannada for two years, has now been transferred to Bengaluru to take on the role of Inspector General of Registration and Commissioner of Stamps. He attended the ceremony with his wife and parents and was felicitated by officials and well-wishers.

 

 

 

In an emotional farewell address, Muhilan reflected on his tenure and connection with the region. “Mangaluru holds a special place in my heart. I once told a group of Tulu-speaking people at a U.S. airport, ‘I am Kudla’s DC.’ It’s more than just a title—it’s an emotion,” he said.

Highlighting key administrative milestones, he noted that nearly 650 long-pending court cases were resolved during his term. He also credited teamwork and strong coordination with senior officers such as Anupam Agrawal, Rishyanth, and Yathish for smooth governance without ego clashes.

Sharing insights into decision-making processes, Muhilan said, “We took decisions even at 5 am after consulting tahsildars and block education officers late into the night. Senior officer L K Atheeq’s guidance played a major role in completing long-stalled Smart City projects.”

Comparing his two-year tenure to a fast-paced T20 match, Muhilan said, “We worked hard to serve the people. Over 10,000 beneficiaries received RTC documents. I believe the new DC, Darshan K V, will carry forward the work with sincerity and patience.”

He also expressed personal gratitude, saying, “People here accepted me as one of their own. Kudla will always remain part of me.” He praised his wife for contributing to heritage conservation and thanked his parents for their inspiration.

Incoming DC Darshan K V praised his predecessor, remarking, “The crowd here speaks volumes about the love and respect he earned. When I took over his official phone, I received nearly 30 calls within minutes—from citizens across all walks of life. It was a humbling experience.”

He added, “I will strive to live up to the example set by Mullai Muhilan. He’s a great listener and leads with empathy. His bond with the people of this district is truly remarkable.”

Additional DC Santhosh Kumar highlighted that under Muhilan’s leadership, Dakshina Kannada rose from 27th to 2nd in revenue collection. He also credited him with reviving Karavali Utsav and creating a platform for local talent to shine globally.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr Anand lauded Muhilan’s vision, management skills, and his initiative to resolve long-pending issues. Retired Additional DC Prabhakar Sharma called his tenure “emotionally significant,” citing his efforts in preserving the old DC office as a heritage building.

District Conservator of Forests Anthony Mariappa commended Muhilan’s ability to build inter-departmental cooperation, while Assistant Commissioner Harshvardhan praised his dedication in completing the new DC office project and reviving Karavali Utsav after five years.

Moodbidri Tahsildar Shridhar, who worked with Muhilan during flood and COVID-19 crises in Uttar Kannada, said, “He always encouraged open dialogue and was a practical leader with clear solutions.”

The farewell ceremony was a testament to Mullai Muhilan’s impactful tenure, marked by administrative achievements, inclusive leadership, and deep personal bonds with the people of Dakshina Kannada.