When the Connection is Instant | When Silence Becomes a Bridge: The Story of Sri. Ranjith D IAS | Global TV
By NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
I have met many people in my life. Some speak for hours but say nothing. Some say a few lines that echo for years. But rarely do you meet someone whose smile in silence makes the strongest connection.
When I spoke with Sri. Ranjith D IAS, it took me only a few minutes to understand his journey.
But for him, I realised, the connection was instant. It was not because of what we said. It was because of what he carries within. Ranjith does not use spoken words the way we do. Yet he communicates better than many who can shout from podiums. Because when your purpose is clear, your presence speaks louder than your voice.
In those few minutes, I saw a young man who has turned every closed door into an open path, not just for himself but for all who will come after him. He shows us that when we remove noise, we find clarity. When we stop complaining, we find possibility. When we stop demanding sympathy, we create dignity. His connection is instant, because he connects heart to heart, not word to word.
His story must not be boxed as a “success story of a differently Abled officer.” It is the story of an enlightened person in an enabled nation. A reminder that true leaders connect instantly, because they carry no barriers within themselves.
When I left that meeting, I felt lighter, as if I had heard a truth my ears did not catch, but my soul did. That is Sri. Ranjith D IAS, a young man who does not need to speak loudly. Because when your life itself is a message, the world will listen; instantly.
Today, Ranjith stands among India’s young IAS officers. But it is not just the rank or the post that makes him special, it is the way he turned what many see as barriers into stepping stones.
A Childhood Beyond Silence
Born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Ranjith came into a world of silence. He was born with both hearing and speech impairments. For most, this would be seen as a lifelong limitation. But his mother, Amruthavalli, a school headmistress with a special education background, refused to accept any limits for her son. She taught him to read lips. She shaped him to listen through the eyes, to answer through actions. While many children struggle to find their first words, Ranjith was discovering an entirely different alphabet; one written on lips, gestures, expressions, and infinite patience.
An Engineer Who Was Rejected; and Redirected
Ranjith studied in Tamil medium throughout school and college. He completed his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering at PSG College of Technology; a proud moment for his family and community. But when it came time for campus placements, he faced rejection after rejection. Companies saw his disability before they saw his determination.
For many, these closed doors would have become walls. But for Ranjith, they became windows. He decided to appear for the toughest exam in the country; the UPSC Civil Services Examination. He chose to dream beyond the limits others drew for him.
UPSC: The Unheard Victory
He sat for the UPSC exam in 2021 and cleared it in his very first attempt, securing an impressive AIR 750; an exceptional feat for anyone, but almost unimaginable for a candidate who had to lip-read his way through interviews and lectures.
He wrote his entire exam in Tamil medium; proud of his roots, his mother tongue, and his culture. He chose Tamil Literature as his optional subject; a statement that language is not a hurdle, but a bridge to greatness. During his interview, he sat in front of the panel and read every question from their lips. He answered with clarity. He carried his truth not on his tongue but in his mind; precise, thoughtful, and fearless.
Service in Silence; and in Strength
Today, Sri. Ranjith D IAS serves as Sub Collector in Kottayam, Kerala. In this role, he is not only an administrator but a living example that disability is only a word; it has no power over determination. He has expressed his wish to work for the welfare of the disabled community. But his very presence is already a revolution; every day he walks into his office, he opens a door for countless others who fear they are unheard or unseen.
The Instant Connection
When I spoke with him, I realized something simple yet profound: communication is not about sound. It is about connection. It is about clarity of purpose.
It is about how deeply you believe in what you stand for; so much so that others feel it without needing an explanation. This young man’s silence speaks volumes. His calm conviction, his gentle courtesy, and his deep sense of responsibility say more than any slogan or speech ever could.
Ranjith’s story is reminding India of its hidden treasures. Young people are filled with extraordinary talents. They only need one person to believe in them. For him, it was his mother first. Then it was his own faith in himself. It is also about the power of language and roots. He never abandoned his mother tongue to fit in. He showed that Tamil could take him to the national stage.
When I think of Sri. Ranjith D IAS, I do not see him as hearing-impaired or speech-impaired. I see him as excuse-impaired. He has no space for excuses. He does not demand sympathy. He inspires respect. He does not preach loudly. he lives quietly, and that is the loudest message of all.
At Global TV, we tell many stories. But some stories tell us who we really are. Ranjith’s story reminds us that greatness is not about what we have or lack; it is about what we build with what we have been given. Sri. Ranjith D IAS shows us that the biggest connection we can build is the bridge between what is and what can be. He is a lesson, a promise, a silent force that says: “Do not listen to the world’s doubts; listen to your own possibilities.” May his story reach every family who wonders if their child can dream. May it reach every institution that shuts doors on difference. May it reach every young mind searching for courage. If you ever doubt that silence can move mountains, remember this young man from Coimbatore; now guiding thousands in Kottayam, whose silence speaks to the whole nation. “The time will come when you will hear me.” Said Benjamin Disraeli. For Sri. Ranjith D IAS, that time is now. And the whole nation is listening.
Thanks to Mr. Mathew Kuruvila
Before I close, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Mathew Kuruvila, Managing Director of Chandy’s Group of Institutions. I had actually travelled all the way to Kottayam to interview him. But with his quiet humility and vision, he kindly guided me to meet this remarkable young IAS Officer instead.
He told me that his own story could wait for another day, or perhaps did not need to be told at all, because meeting Sri. Ranjith D IAS was what truly mattered. In that simple gesture, Mr. Kuruvila reminded me that true leaders know when to step back so that a unique story can speak in advance.
I certainly wish to write the inspiring story of Mr. Mathew Kuruvila. He has a brilliant story to tell. People like him show us the importance of recognising greatness in others and giving them the space to shine. His own journey is so amazing and should be shared widely, probably in a book, because it will inspire many more to lift people up and open doors for new possibilities.
