P. C. Alexander
Encyclopedia
Padinjarethalakal Cherian Alexander of Mavelikkera, India (20 March 1921 – 10 August 2011) was an India
n politician and civil servant who served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu
from 1988 to 1990 and as the Governor of Maharashtra
from 1993 to 2002. He was considered as a candidate for the post of the President of India
in 2002. During his time in Maharashtra, he had additional charge of Goa
from 1996 to 1998. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha
representing Maharashtra as an independent candidate from 29 July 2002 to 2 April 2008.
His career included extended stints with the United Nations
and India's Ministry of Commerce and his high profile appointment as the powerful Principal Secretary for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
. He also served as the Indian High Commissioner to the Court of St. James's
.
His autobiography is Through the Corridors of Power. His other works include My years with Indira Gandhi, The Perils of Democracy, and India in the New Millenium.
Alexander was undergoing treatment at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital for cancer. He used to be hospitalised and discharged frequently. Alexander, 90, died at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Chennai, on 10 August 2011. The body was flown to Kochi buried at St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral Church at his home town Mavelikara in Alappuzha district.
briefly. Alexander started his career as a civil servant in 1948 and held several high positions. He also involved himself in public life. Alexander was the principal secretary to Indira Gandhi and virtually served as her shadow and policy adviser for the years after her return to power in January 1980. He briefly served Rajiv Gandhi but the latter was not very comfortable with his paternal style and had him replaced. He was sent as India's high commissioner to the United Kingdom
. A former civil servant, Alexander was invited by Indira Gandhi to become her principal secretary when he was serving at the United Nations.
He became the governor of Tamil Nadu in 1988, holding the post till 1990. He served as the Maharashtra governor in 1993-2002. He quit the post in disgust after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) first proposed his name for presidency but then opted for APJ Abdul Kalam. Alexander was also a former member of the Rajya Sabha
and continued to take a keen interest in national affairs till some time ago.
Alexander's autobiography "Through the Corridors of Power" gives a ringside view of the government's functioning. He also wrote another book "My Years with Indira Gandhi", which records the history and politics of the times.
Alexander is survived by his widow Ackamma Alexander, 88, and four children.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n politician and civil servant who served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
from 1988 to 1990 and as the Governor of Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
from 1993 to 2002. He was considered as a candidate for the post of 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...
in 2002. During his time in Maharashtra, he had additional charge of Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
from 1996 to 1998. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means "state," and Sabha means "assembly hall" in Sanskrit. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature,...
representing Maharashtra as an independent candidate from 29 July 2002 to 2 April 2008.
His career included extended stints with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and India's Ministry of Commerce and his high profile appointment as the powerful Principal Secretary for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
. He also served as the Indian High Commissioner to the Court of St. James's
Court of St. James's
The Court of St James's is the royal court of the United Kingdom. It previously had the same function in the Kingdom of England and in the Kingdom of Great Britain .-Overview:...
.
His autobiography is Through the Corridors of Power. His other works include My years with Indira Gandhi, The Perils of Democracy, and India in the New Millenium.
Alexander was undergoing treatment at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital for cancer. He used to be hospitalised and discharged frequently. Alexander, 90, died at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Chennai, on 10 August 2011. The body was flown to Kochi buried at St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral Church at his home town Mavelikara in Alappuzha district.
Career
P. C. Alexander was a former principal secretary to prime minister Indira Gandhi who had also served under her son Prime Minister Rajiv GandhiRajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Ratna Gandhi was the sixth Prime Minister of India . He took office after his mother's assassination on 31 October 1984; he himself was assassinated on 21 May 1991. He became the youngest Prime Minister of India when he took office at the age of 40.Rajiv Gandhi was the elder son of Indira...
briefly. Alexander started his career as a civil servant in 1948 and held several high positions. He also involved himself in public life. Alexander was the principal secretary to Indira Gandhi and virtually served as her shadow and policy adviser for the years after her return to power in January 1980. He briefly served Rajiv Gandhi but the latter was not very comfortable with his paternal style and had him replaced. He was sent as India's high commissioner to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. A former civil servant, Alexander was invited by Indira Gandhi to become her principal secretary when he was serving at the United Nations.
He became the governor of Tamil Nadu in 1988, holding the post till 1990. He served as the Maharashtra governor in 1993-2002. He quit the post in disgust after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) first proposed his name for presidency but then opted for APJ Abdul Kalam. Alexander was also a former member of the Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means "state," and Sabha means "assembly hall" in Sanskrit. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature,...
and continued to take a keen interest in national affairs till some time ago.
Alexander's autobiography "Through the Corridors of Power" gives a ringside view of the government's functioning. He also wrote another book "My Years with Indira Gandhi", which records the history and politics of the times.
Alexander is survived by his widow Ackamma Alexander, 88, and four children.