RICH TRIBUE PAID TO DR. P.C ALEXANDER

RICH TRIBUE PAID TO

DR. P.C ALEXANDER

Eminent civil servant and former governor of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, Dr PC Alexander passed away at Madras Medical Mission hospital on Wednesday,10^th August,2011, 8.30 am. He was ailing for some period due to cancer. He was admitted at the hospital on Sunday.An IAS officer, PC Alexander served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu from 1988 to 1990 and as the Governor of Maharashtra from 1993 to 2002. During his time in Maharashtra, he had additional charge of Goa from 1996 to 1998. He was also a member of Rajya Sabha representing Maharashtra as Independent candidate from 29 July 2002 to 2 April 2008. He also worked as the powerful Principal Secretary for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. He also served as High Commissioner for India in London for three yearsIt was while serving as Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN International Trade Centre, Geneva, that Shrimati Indira Gandhi invited him to join her office as Principal Secretary. As Principal Secretary to Indira Gandhi and later to Rajiv Gandhi during the years 1981-1985, he played a very crucial role in the momentous developments of this period. He was considered as a candidate for the post of the President of India in 2007. Padinjarethalakal Cherian Alexander was born on March 20, 1921 in Mavelikkara. Dr. Alexander took his post-graduate degree in History arid Economics from the Travancore University and M.Litt and D.Litt. Degrees by research from the Annamalai University before joining the Indian Administrative Service (lAS 1948). After serving in the districts in the then Madras and Travancore-Cochin states, he joined the Central Government in 1955 on deputation. He was later selected to the Central Administrative Pool of officers and continued to work in various capacities in the Government of India till his superannuation from service. Dr. Alexander has authored several books and prominent among them is his autobiography `Through the corridors of power'.

Dr P.C Alexander  was a trusted and an all powerful aide of prime minister Indira Gandhi who turned bitter after he lost the race for India's presidency. A civil servant discovered by Indira Gandhi after her return to power in 1980, Alexander may be best remembered for the favour his views found when she was prime minister in her second stint until her 1984 assassination. A soft spoken man, Alexander quickly came to be regarded as a Gandhi family loyalist. He did serve her son and successor Rajiv Gandhi too. But that association ended quickly, leading to governorship in Tamil Nadu and then Maharashtra.

It was he who, as an informal advisor to P.V. Narasimha Rao, persuaded Manmohan Singh to accept the post of finance minister in 1991, leading to an era of economic reforms that changed India's face and future.Alexander and economics were no strangers. He held a doctorate from Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu before he joined the civil service. He held several important posts in the central government. He was the commerce secretary.It was while he was with the UN International Trade Centre in Geneva that Indira Gandhi asked him to be her principal secretary in 1980. Alexander was born in Mavelikara, Kerala, in 1921. In his student days, he was an outstanding debator, foreshadowing his powers of persuasion. As president of the Travancore State Students Union, his understanding of politics began early.

Alexander said of his success in roping in a reluctant Manmohan Singh: "I just did my job of a messenger as I had known Singh during my career." Yet many feel he had a say in the matter. Alexander became the governor of Tamil Nadu in 1988, and held the post till 1990. He was the Maharashtra governor from 1993 to 2002.Even when he was at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, many suspected that Rao consulted him before finalizing who should be inducted in his ministry or demoting or promoting his ministers. Alexander's biggest disappointment came when the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance first suggested he would be their choice for presidency in 2002 before they rooted for A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Alexander's comment last year that Rajiv Gandhi had prior knowledge that Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson would leave India after the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984 triggered a controversy. He became an independent member of the Rajya Sabha with the support of Shiv Sena in 2002. Thus, a career which began as a favourite of the Congress ended on an anti-Congress note.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday condoled the death of P.C. Alexander, former principal secretary to prime minister Indira Gandhi, and said it was 'rare' to come across a public servant who had 'the qualities of the head and heart'.'I have learnt of the passing away of Dr. P.C. Alexander with great sadness,' the prime minister said in a statement. Alexander, who also served Rajiv Gandhi briefly, died at a hospital in Chennai Wednesday morning, family sources said. He was 90.'Dr. Alexander was one of our most outstanding civil servants. To each of the numerous public positions he held, he brought not only his fierce commitment to the public good but also a quiet grace and dignity,' he added. 'It was a tribute to his extraordinary abilities that his advice was sought by successive prime ministers,' he said. 'It is indeed rare to come across a public servant with the qualities of the head and heart

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy  Wednesday expressed profound grief over the death of eminent bureaucrat P.C. Alexander. Reddy described late Alexander as one of the most distinguished and respected public servants of the post-Independence era. The CM conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members, an official release said
that Dr. Alexander possessed,'

Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranaryanan Wednesday mourned the demise of former Governor of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu P.C. Alexander, describing him as one of the finest Governors. In a condolence message to Alexander's son Ashok, Sankaranarayanan said, "Dr Alexander will go down in the history of Maharashtra not only as the longest serving Governor, but also as one of the finest Governors. "He brought to bear his vast experience as an international diplomat while discharging his duties as the Governor of the State. It would be fair to say that Dr Alexander created benchmarks for fellow Governors and future Governors," he said.
 Describing Alexander as an outstanding administrator, Sankaranarayanan said "Dr Alexander discharged the special responsibility under Article 371(2) cast upon him by the President of India for the development of backward regions of Maharashtra with great vision and foresight. "As Chancellor of Universities in the state, he gave valuable insights while framing the Maharashtra Universities’ Act of 1994. Dr Alexander commanded supreme respect both from the Treasury and the Opposition benches because of his dignified and impartial conduct," he said.
A man of vast learning and scholarship, Dr Alexander was an authority on various subjects including history, civilization, religion, international diplomacy and civil services, he said. "Maharashtra can never forget Dr Alexander for his lasting good work for the state and the nation at large," he added, conveying condolences to Ackama Alexander and sons Jawahar and Ashok and other members of the bereaved family.

  Chief MinisterOommen Chandy said that P.C Alexander had a unique place in the field of development and administration of the country. In his condolence message,Mr Chandy said the books Dr Alexander authored were part of India's political and development history.  KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala said Dr Alexander had been instrumental in providing strength to Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi when they went through various kinds of crisis. His contribution to administration and diplomacy were praiseworthy. Speaker G Karthikeyan in his condolence message, said Dr. Alexander functioning style was an inspiration for him. His contribution to administration and diplomacy would always be remembered.
  Finance Minister K.M Mani said that the country had lost a farsighted administrator.he was the brain behind several projects that were implemented during Indira Gandhi's and Rajiv Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister.
  Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) state unit president V. Muraleedharan has described P.C Alexander as an able administrator whose goal was the progress of free India. The BJP had considered him for the presidents post in 2002. He became a Rajya Sabha member with the BJP's support and was able to present excellent performance in the upper House.
  Born in to an upper middle class family on March 20,1921 in Kerala's Alapuzha district, he was the fifth of eight children of Jacob Cheriyan and Mariamma. He was educated at the University of Travancore, now called University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram and Annamalai University,Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.
  On Saturday, August 13, his mortal remains will be taken back to Mavelikara for final public viewing at the spot where his ancestral home once stood, before the funeral at the nearby St. Mary's church, which he mentions nostalgically in his memoirs.
  Alexander is survived by his wife Akkamma Alexander sons Jawahar and Ashok and daughters Maria and Rajine of his children, Jawhar alone followed his father to join the IAS in 1972, but quit later to join the Asian Development Bank. BJP chief Nitin Ganekri said Alexander would always be remembered as an able adninistrator by the people of Maharashtra, where he seed as the Governor from 1988 to 1990" I express my profound grief and sorrow on the demise of P.C Alexander avetern bureacyat and former governor of Maharashtra he said.
   Tamil Nadu chief Minister Jayalalitha said the nation had lost an excellent administrator.  She said Mr Alexander had excelled himself as the Governor of Tamil Nadu (1988-1990 ) and Maharashtra. chief Minister Prithviraj chavan said he was  a man of action
  The former Governor of Maharashra P.C Alexander was buried at the cemetery attached to the Puthiyakavu St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral,Mavalikara on Saturday 13th August,2011 with full state honours. A large number of people turned up at the cometary to pay their last respects to Alexander who had a distinguished career spanning about six decades as a bureaucrat, member of the Rajya Sabha and Principal secretary of Prime MInister's Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.  He was buried in a vault, prepared nearly two yers ago on his instructions. The funeral service was led by Catholicos Baselious Marthoma Paulose II of the Orthodox church, senior Bishop of the orthodox church, Geevarghese Mar Osthathios was among those who offered prayers for the departed. Brief commemorative speeches recalled Mr Alexander's contributions to the country and the orthodox church.
  Maharashtra Minister for public Shetty, who placed a wreath on the body on behalf of the people of the state, recalled the involvement of the states longest serving Governor in improving the lot of the poor, especially those in the backward regions of Marathawda and Vidarbha. Speakers recalled that Alexander was being laid to rest on the day of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha, an event he was directly responsible in establishing in 1953. The body of Mr Alexander was brought to his house town by road from Kochi at 10 am.
  Kurakar cultural Forum arranged a condolence meeting at Kurakar town centre, Kottarakara on 13th August 2011 at 5 pm. Prof. John Kurakar, preident,Kerala Kavya kala Sahithy pre3sided. Mr Sam Kurakar, Mr N. Sadasivan, Mr Kunjachan, Mr.B. Santhosh Kumar, Mr. Balakrishnan Nair, Dr Muhammed Ashref, Dr.Varghese.K, Dr S.A Kareem, Mr.Venu Gopal,Prof.Molly Kurakar were spoke on the condolence meeting. The Kurakar Forum president said that Mr P.C Alexander had unique place in the field of development of the country and his functiong style was inspirative. Our country had a lost a far-sighted administrative. His contribution would always be remembered

                                                                Prof. John Kurakar