N. Gopalaswami
Encyclopedia
N. Gopalaswami, is a former Chief Election Commissioner of India
. He is a 1966 batch Indian Administrative Services officer belonging to Gujarat cadre.He took over the charge of CEC on June 30, 2006 and has retired in April 2009.
, a village in Tamil Nadu did his schooling in Mannargudi
and his graduation in Chemistry
from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli.Gopalaswamy is a gold medallist post-graduate in Chemistry from Delhi University and is a diploma holder in Urban Development Planning from University of London
.
Earlier he was also district magistrate in the districts of Kutch and Kheda
; municipal commissioner Surat; director of relief; director of higher education and joint secretary (Home Department), Government of Gujarat.
Gopalaswamy had also worked as adviser (education) in the Planning Commission, joint secretary, department of electronics, in charge of software development and industry promotion division and also the head of Software Technology Park of India (STPI) Society and SATCOMM India Society.
to the President of India
. He alleged that Chawla had discharged his duties as Election Commissioner in a partisan manner, seeking to further the interests of "one party." The CEC report contended that Chawla would take breaks during crucial meetings and secretly talk to functionaries of the Congress party and leak confidential details of the election commission. Chawla is also reported to have opposed the Election Commission's notice to Sonia Gandhi
for her accepting foreign honors from Belgium.
N Gopalaswami's recommendation against Chawla has been politically controversial. However the Indian government led by Congress Party to which Chawla is accused of being favorable, has rejected the CEC recommendation against Chawla on Sunday, March 1, 2009. He took over CEC of India on April 20, 2009 and has successfully concluded the 2009 General Elections to the Parliament of India.
. He also has keen interest in astrology
and is also tech-savvy. When the Election Commission started the process of delimitations of constituencies, the CEC suggested that Google maps
be used for the arduous exercise. Gopalaswami played a key role in obtaining a grant of Rs 5 crore (Rs 50 million) from UNESCO
for the preservation of Vedas
, the ancient Hindu
scriptures .
Chief Election Commissioner of India
The Chief Election Commissioner heads the Election Commission of India, a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections to the national and state legislatures...
. He is a 1966 batch Indian Administrative Services officer belonging to Gujarat cadre.He took over the charge of CEC on June 30, 2006 and has retired in April 2009.
Early Life and Education
Gopalaswami, who hails from NeedamangalamNeedamangalam
Needamangalam is a Taluk in Thiruvarur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 280 km east of Coimbatore and 318 km south of Chennai....
, a village in Tamil Nadu did his schooling in Mannargudi
Mannargudi
India census, Mannargudi had a population of 61,588. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Mannargudi has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 74%. In Mannargudi, 9% of the population is under 6...
and his graduation in Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli.Gopalaswamy is a gold medallist post-graduate in Chemistry from Delhi University and is a diploma holder in Urban Development Planning from University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
.
Early career
A dynamic leader, Gopalaswamy joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1966 and worked in various capacities in Gujarat. During 1967 to 1992, he held various top level posts including that of the managing director, Gujarat Communication and Electronics Limited; as member (administration and purchase) in the Gujarat Electricity Board; secretary to Government (science & technology) in technical education and Secretary, Department of Revenue.Earlier he was also district magistrate in the districts of Kutch and Kheda
Kheda
Kheda is a town and a municipality in Kheda district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Kheda, also known as Kaira, is 35 km from Ahmedabad. The National Highway no. 8 connecting Ahmedabad and Mumbai passes through Kheda...
; municipal commissioner Surat; director of relief; director of higher education and joint secretary (Home Department), Government of Gujarat.
As a Bureaucrat
Gopalaswamy served the Government of India between 1992 and 2004. Prior to this appointment in the Election Commission of India, he was the Union Home Secretary and prior to that, he held the posts of Secretary in the Department of Culture and Secretary General in the National Human Rights Commission.Gopalaswamy had also worked as adviser (education) in the Planning Commission, joint secretary, department of electronics, in charge of software development and industry promotion division and also the head of Software Technology Park of India (STPI) Society and SATCOMM India Society.
Controversy
During his tenure as the Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami on January 31, 2009 sent his recommendation regarding removal of election commissioner Navin ChawlaNavin Chawla
Naveen , a controversial Indian bureaucrat , is a retired chief election commissioner of India. As Chief Election Commissioner, Navin Chawla oversaw the last 4 phases of Indian general election to Loksabha in April–May 2009...
to the President of India
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
. He alleged that Chawla had discharged his duties as Election Commissioner in a partisan manner, seeking to further the interests of "one party." The CEC report contended that Chawla would take breaks during crucial meetings and secretly talk to functionaries of the Congress party and leak confidential details of the election commission. Chawla is also reported to have opposed the Election Commission's notice to Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi is an Italian-born Indian politician and the President of the Indian National Congress, one of the major political parties of India. She is the widow of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi...
for her accepting foreign honors from Belgium.
N Gopalaswami's recommendation against Chawla has been politically controversial. However the Indian government led by Congress Party to which Chawla is accused of being favorable, has rejected the CEC recommendation against Chawla on Sunday, March 1, 2009. He took over CEC of India on April 20, 2009 and has successfully concluded the 2009 General Elections to the Parliament of India.
Trivia
Gopalaswami is noted for sticking to principles and rules. Apart from his professionalism he is a staunch God-fearing VaishnavaiteVaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
. He also has keen interest in astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
and is also tech-savvy. When the Election Commission started the process of delimitations of constituencies, the CEC suggested that Google maps
Google Maps
Google Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free , that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API...
be used for the arduous exercise. Gopalaswami played a key role in obtaining a grant of Rs 5 crore (Rs 50 million) from UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
for the preservation of Vedas
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
, the ancient Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
scriptures .
External links
- Chief Election Commissioner of India
- He lives by the give-nothing-take-nothing principle
- New article dated 30-June-2006
- The Hindu - Saturday, Jan 31, 2009 -Chief Election Commissioner Gopalaswami ‘recommends’ removal of Navin Chawla-Suo motu act is constitutionally and democratically out of line, will damage institution- N.Ram
- N Gopalaswami's response to N. Ram and more - Thursday, Feb 12, 2009
- Exclusive podcast interview on his values, post retirement plans, etc