Did you know this minister was a hippy before he started his career?

Alphons Kannanthanam has become the first Keralite to be elected to Modi's cabinet He was one of the most popular bureaucrats in the country He was named Demolition Man after reclaiming land worth ₹10,000 crore in Delhi

Alphons Kannanthanam has become the first Keralite to be elected to Modi's cabinet. He was a civil servant and a practising lawyer before he became the union minister. 

There is no doubt that he was one of the most popular bureaucrats in the country. From pioneering the first literacy movement in the country by making Kottayam the first 100% literate town to be named Demolition Man after reclaiming land worth ₹10,000 crore in Delhi by demolishing 14, 310 buildings, Kannanthanam has achieved a lot in his career. 

But it was not an easy path for this man who was listed among the 100 Young Global Leaders in 2004 by Time Magazine. Kannanthanam appeared for the interview of civil service examination with long hair, resembling a hippy. He even got negative marks for his appearance. While all other candidates appeared well dressed, Kannanthanam was the only one to get there with a long hair. 

His life was full of twists and turns, and he could never forget his journey to Delhi to join in Delhi Development Authority. He started his journey from Kochi to Delhi with ₹10,000. It was only after reaching Kerala House that he realised that he lost the amount.

All his efforts to track the robber went in vein. However, he finally met the then Aviation Minister Madhav Rao Sindhya and informed the matter. Though Sindhya said that he is not the minister of Indian Airlines and asked Kannanthanam to meet the chairman of airlines, he made sure that the amount is paid to him.