Sharad Pawar condoles the death of Dr. P.C. Alexander

New Delhi/Chennai, Aug 10 (ANI): Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Sharad Pawar has expressed shock and grief over the sad demise of former Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Governor Dr. P.C. Alexander.

In a letter to Dr. Alexander's son, the Minister conveyed his heart-felt condolences.

"I am deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of Dr. P.C. Alexander. He served in several capacities in Government of India and also UN International Trade Centre, Geneva before joining as Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. He was an able, efficient, honest, straightforward and forthright person," said Pawar in his condolence message.

"As Governor of Maharashtra, he took keen interest in the developmental activities of the State. As a Member of Rajya Sabha his contribution to the Parliamentary democracy will be always remembered. His death is a personal loss to me also," 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)