Bhubaneswar: Retired Odisha cadre IAS officer R. Balakrishnan, who had served as the Development Commissioner of Odisha and principal advisor to the chief minister, has been appointed as the Director of the International Institute of Tamil Studies by the government of Tamil Nadu. Balakrishnan’s literary works include the much acclaimed Journey of a Civilization: Indus to Vaigai. A release issued by the Tamil Nadu government said: “This appointment would provide fresh impetus to researches on Tamil language and culture.” Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin congratulated him on his new assignment. Balakrishnan, who is also a great Tamil scholar, met the CM and presented him the first printed edition of the Thirukkural, published in 1812. Having studied in Tamil, he cleared the civil services exam in Tamil. Scholar Balakrishnan has expanded the scope of Tamil research beyond Tamil Nadu and even beyond today’s India, Stalin stated through X. “With great joy, I congratulate him on his appointment as the head of the World Tamil Research Institute. He gifted me the first printed edition of the Thirukkural, published in 1812! May his work excel and may it reveal many new pages of ancient Tamil history to the world!” the CM added. Notably, Balakrishnan had served in various positions in Odisha. He retired as the Development Commissioner of Odisha. After retirement, he had been as Principal Advisor (Special Initiative) with the rank of Chief Secretary during the tenure of Naveen Patnaik as the Chief Minister.