Also studied "Social Development Planning" in the then
U.N.
Asian Institute for Development, Bangkok and also
"Urban
Development and Planning" in the U.N. Institute in
Nagoya,
Japan.
Field of Work – Positions
: Wide experience in development administration at the held
with details grass roots, having been District Collector of
two
major districts for over 4 years and Secretary in the
Rural
Development and Local Administration Department of the
State of Tamil
Nadu.
Extensive experience in Labour and Industrial Relations as
a
successful Labour Commissioner for over 3 years, Secretary in
the State Department of Labour and Employment and at
the
national level as member of the Committee on Labour
Welfare
and National Committee on Child
Labour.
State Level Experience covers General Administration and
other important areas particularly in infrastructure, having
been
Secretary of Departments of Power, Irrigation, Water
Supply,
Roads, Buildings, Housing and Urban Development. Has
been
Chairman and Chief Executive of two major State
Government
undertakings, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and Tamil
Nadu
Housing Board. Has also been part-time Chairman of
Public
Sector/Joint Sector undertakings and part-time Director of
many State and Central Government
undertakings.
Was appointed Chief Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu
in
February, 1988, when the State was under President’s Rule
and
continued as Chief Secretary under an elected Government
from
January, 1989 till January, 1991. Moved to Government of
India
and worked as Secretary in two Ministries including as
Secretary,
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs from where retired in
1993.
Important contributions in :
In the Government of India, worked for 5 years
Joint
public life (with details)
Secretary in the then Ministry
of Education and Social Welfare
in charge of Nutrition and Child Development and played a
major role in conceptualizing and developing the Integrated
Child
Development Services (ICDS) Scheme which has
won
appreciation at national level. This model for nutrition and
health
care of children and mothers was later replicated in
several
developing countries, while working in UNICEF
Headquarters,
through the Joint WHO/UNICEF Nutrition Support
Programme.
Was a member of the UNICEF Executive Board
and
Vice-Chairman of its Programme
Committee.
The contribution to streamlining Tamil Nadu’s Administration
as
Chief Secretary during one year of President’s Rule in 19880-89
and two years under elected Government has been
widely
applauded.
On the invitation of UNICEF, United Nations, joined as its
Senior Adviser in UNICEF Headquarters in New York, in
June,
1981, on deputation from Government basis, gave up this
lucrative job to return to Government in January, 1987 and
worked as State Vigilance Commissioner and Commissioner
for
Administrative
Reforms.
Widely travelled and participated in several international
meetings including many United Nations
bodies.
Distinctions/Honours
: 2 University Gold
Medals in Madras University for
received (with details)
standing first in the Master’s
Examination.
Publications (if any, with
: Chaired the Advisory Committee and brought
details)
out the Book "Profile of the Child in India", Published by
the Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of
India.
Paper on "Integrated Approach to Child Development"
presented at the International conference on Primary Health
Care,
Alma Ata,
USSR.
"Primary Health Care in India" – Integrated Child
Development
Services in India" – A paper presented at the
WHO/UNICEF
Workshop; and Symposium on "Innovative approaches to meet
the basic needs of the young child in developing Countries" held
in Athens. Published in Ekistics 272 September/October,
1978.
"Delivery of Special Nutrition Programme" – a paper presented at
a National Seminar on Special Nutrition for children and
mothers.
"Child Welfare Services in China" – a study of Child Care in
China – Published by UNICEF –
1979.
"Rajendran Committee Report" on Sports Schemes in
India,
published by Ministry of Human Resources
Development,
Government of India, 1992.
Hobbies, if any
:
Reading Books on Public Affairs,
Development and
Public
Administration and
Photography.
Any other information
: Involved in the activities of the India International
Centre,
New Delhi, Life Member of the Indian Institute of
Public
Administration, New Delhi.