PM condoles the passing away of Dr. P.C. Alexander

New Delhi/Chennai, Aug.10 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has condoled the passing away of former Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Governor Dr. P C Alexander

In his condolence message, the Prime Minister recalled Dr. Alexander's contribution in the numerous public positions he held saying he brought to those offices not only his fierce commitment to the public good but also a quiet grace and dignity.

"I have learnt of the passing away of Dr. P.C. Alexander with great sadness. 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," said Dr. Singh.

"It was a tribute to his extraordinary abilities that his advice was sought by successive Prime Minister's. It is indeed rare to come across a public servant with the qualities of the head and heart that Dr. Alexander possessed. I offer my condolences to the family members and friends of Dr. Alexander in this hour of grief," he added.

Alexander died at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital in Chennai on Wednesday. He was 90.

A distinguished bureaucrat, Alexander had served as the Principal Secretary to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He had also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha and was considered a candidate for the post of President of India in 2007.

Dr. Padinjarethalakal Cherian Alexander was born on March 20, 1921. His career included extended stints with the United Nations and the Commerce Ministry, besides being a powerful Principal Secretary to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He also served as India's High Commissioner to London.

He 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 July 29, 2002 to April 2, 2008.

He had written his autobiography "Through the Corridors of Power".

My Years with Indira Gandhi, The Perils of Democracy, India in the New Millenium were his other works. (ANI)