SHRI COMAL SUNDARAM RAMACHANDRAN

Date of Birth	:	13th December, 1916
Date of Death	:	14th August, 2001
Educational Qualifications
Secondary	:	Hindu High School, Madras- First in the Province
University	:	First Class in the Intermediate Examination, Madras University, in the former Madras Presidency Diploma in Modern European Language (French), Madras University, with Distinction. B.Sc. (Hons.), First Class in Physics-Jagirdar of Arni Gold Medalist
1939	:	Topped the All India Competitive Examination held by their Federal Public Service Commission for recruitment to the Indian Audit and Accounts Service and other Premier Central Services (Class-1)
1940	:	Was ranked First in the All India Competitive Examination held by the Federal Public Service Commission for the Indian Civil Service

An extraordinary administrator, illustrious philanthropist and devout, humane and spiritual

After a brilliant education with 4 gold medals sand innumerable other medals and having stood first in the Madras Presidency in Physics Honours and won the Jagirdar of Arni Gold Medal, which was the most prestigious medal in Madras Presidency, Shri CS Ramachandran approached Sir C.V. Raman for a job. Looking at his brilliant academic record, Sir C.V. Raman advised him to appear for the Indian Civil Service (ICS) exams.

Shri C.S. Ramachandran topped the All India Competitive Examination held by the Federal Public Service Commission for Indian Audit and Accounts Service which was in those days called as Financial Services. He was selected by the Federal Public Service Commission for the Indian Civil Services, which was considered as one of the most prestigious services of the Indian sub-continent and was ranked first.

Shri CS Ramachandran was allotted the Central Provinces and Berar cadre which had some of the most illustrious administrators both in pre-independent and post-independent India.

Even in his very early years, Shri CS Ramachandran exhibited his brilliant administrative acumen. He was specially picked up within 4 years of his service to become Deputy Commissioner of Durg, which was one of the most important Districts of Madhya Bharat, which was the native place of the first and powerful Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shri Ravi Shankar Shukla. It would normally have taken 8 years or more for an Officer of the ICS to Head the District and people were impressed that such a young officer was chosen to head one of the most difficult Districts. He was also responsible for locating the Giant Bhilai Steel Plant there. He was also posted in several Districts like Hoshangabad, Raipur etc.

After independence, Shri CS Ramachandran was transferred to Madras Presidency, which was the composite Madras State. He was taken to Revenue and Public Departments to work directly under the Chief Minister. Because of his brilliant work, in 1951 he was asked to work as Chief Electoral Officer to take charge and hold the first General Elections in the State. Composite Madras State was one of the largest States at that time and he was one of the youngest Chief Electoral Officer. Dr. Gopala Reddy the then Minister of Elections in the State, and who later on became the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, commended his efforts in holding the General Elections so efficiently and their close association went on for several years. In fact Dr. Gopal Reddy, Governor of Uttar Prtadesh, mentioned to Shri Ramachandran’s son Shri C.R. Srinivasan who was an IAS Officer in U.P. at that time “I hope your service will be as brilliant and distinguished as your father’s”.

Shri Ramachandran’s was for a brief period Collector of Ramanathapuram at Madurai. He instituted long term development programmes for this backward district. Some of the programmes for irrigation, water storage facilities, etc became the backbone of the District’s Development. His association with the District continued for many years. As Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Government of India, he developed theRamanathapuram District to a highly industrial area by setting up textile mills, cementplants and gave a shape to the Industrial Development of the State. Ramanathapuram developed into a highly professional belt with the setting up of several engineering Colleges and other educational institutions.

Shri Ramachandran became Secretary, Health, Education & Local Administration Departments, as the youngest Secretary to the State Government, in-charge of one of the largest Departments in the State. He was then selected for deputation to Government of India in the Ministry of Defence. In those days there were only two Joint Secretaries in the Ministry of Defence. Shri Ramachandran held one of the most important and difficult charges in the Ministry of Defence between 1955-58.

Shri CS Ramachandran was specially selected by Shri S. Ranganathan, ICS (who was the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and a Member of Parliament) and Shri Lal Bahadur Sastri as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He served for almost a decade in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The range of work he handled covered Textiles, Jute, Plantation etc., and he developed some of the most innovative programmes for these sectors. He pushed the development of these sectors as our major export earners. He led several delegations abroad for negotiations where Indian Textiles emerged as one of the largest exporters to various countries. Indian exports of coffee, tea and others increased tremendously. As Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, he was responsible for taking a lead for organizing the International Tea Agreement. He led the Indian Delegation to FAO and in fact he was heading FAO’s International Consultative Committee on Tea and Coffee. Shri CS Ramachandran was responsible for the international agreements on trade and commerce relating to Western Europe, Africa, Asia and USA and handled GATT and UNCTAD negotiations. He was well known in the International Community for his acumen in working for not only the development of the industry, but also for the substantial presence of India in international trade agreements. A total nationalist at heart, it was said that some of the best deals in Indian exports were negotiated during his period. Even today he is remembered fondly by the Industry for his enormous contribution for the development of the industry in the country and for international agreements on Indian products and the great impetus he gave to Indian exports.

Because of his substantial work, the then Prime Minister posted Shri CS Ramachandran in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture under Bharat Ratna Shri C. Subramanian, Food & Agriculture Minister. His special task was planning, and organizing and draftinga legislation to set up the Food Corporation of India. His vision was instrumental in setting up Food Corporation of India, which emerged as the largest Public Sector Undertaking dealing in food grains and soon became the backbone of food security for the country. As a man of immense vision, Shri Ramachandran took over as Managing Director of Central Warehousing Corporation and was responsible for the policy and planning in providing warehousing throughout the country as a back up support to FCI. During his tenure, the largest number of high capacity godowns were set up, which was one of the largest operations in the country. It was once mentioned by an eminent politician that “Shri C.S. Ramachandran was largely responsible for long term perspective planning and had vision for providing food security, which this country required. Today we are reaping the benefits of this vision.”

Shri CS Ramachandran was concurrently holding charge as Advisor in the Planning Commission. The Programme Advisors were considered to be one of the most powerful officers those days and responsible for the resources and development planning of various States of India. The Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Prof. D.R. Gadgil commended the excellent work of Shri C.S. Ramachandran with the State governments in helping them plan for the Central Government resources and ensure their full utilization of the resources in the most appropriate fashion. He toured the States extensively and brought to the States his rich experience in Development Planning. In the process he was intimately connected with the development of multi-purpose irrigation projects in various States like Bhakra Nangal, Rajasthan Canal, NagarjunaSagar, Koyna and Atomic Energy Plants in Tarapur, Rajasthan Atomic Power Project etc., and several other projects which were promoted by him for the development of each of the States. He had also dealt with several problems like drought in Andhra Pradesh, Koyna Earth Quake, severe drought in Rajasthan and floods in Andhra Pradesh. He drafted the modalities of working out a comprehensive plan for dealing with natural calamities which benefited several State Governments and has now become a standard policy for evaluating the disaster damage in States.

Having served for several years in Trade Agreements and Development Areas, towards the end of his career, Shri CS Ramachandran requested the Prime Minister to post him in a Social Sector. He was posted as Secretary to Government of India in the Ministry of Health and Family Planning, which was one of the biggest Ministries in the Government of India. He had developed a plan for integrated health practices for outreach in the nook and corner of the country especially for rural India. He had also set up Institutions to take Medical Education and Health Welfare Programmes to some of the most difficult areas and rural areas. He was responsible for reorganizing the approach to the Family Planning and Welfare.

Shri CS Ramachandran worked during this period with the WHO and United Nations for preparation of the Population Plan of Action, and also for work relating to the U.N. International Population Conference at Bucharest. He was also responsible for evolving policy for making available inexpensive medicines to the poor. He gave great fillip to Indian Systems of Medicine i.e. Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy etc. He set up the National Committee for local medicines and health traditions. His vision in this direction bore fruit after 20 years of his retirement, the Government decided to set up a separate Department of Indian System of Medicine. Shri C.S. Ramachandran’s contributions to the social sector will be remembered by the people of this country.

Right from his early days, Shri C.S. Ramachandran had worked for a number of Social and Welfare organizations. Coming from a very distinguished family of educationalists – his father was Rao Saheb Shri C.S. SundaramIyer whose contributions to school education was well known – Shri C.S. Ramachandran was associated with several educational and charitable institutions. He took over as President of Committee of the Madrasi Education Association (MEA) Schools and continued as President for several years. During his time the MEA Schools, which had two branches, expanded to several locations where there were concentration of South Indians. The Madrasi Schools became one of the best educational institutions in Delhi. Because of his enormous contacts, he was able to get assistance from the Government of Tamil Nadu and Government of India to expand the facilities available at the schools. Today MEA Schools are known as Delhi Tamil Education Association (DTEA) Schools, which has several branches through out Delhi. Shri Ramachandran’s contention was that even the poorest of the poor in Delhi should get affordable and good education. His vision in promoting education in Delhi with the largest network of Schools and providing a strong base for education in the Capital City was commendable.

Shri C.S. Ramachandran was also President of South India Samaj, which is a cultural organization. He developed the Samaj into one of the most vibrant cultural organizations which was not only involved in religious programmes but also did social work amongst the poor and needy. He was also the President of Carnatic Sangeeta Sabha. He was a great lover of music and art. His house was filled with musicians and artists from North and South, Carnatic or Hindustani. Shri C.S. Ramachandran and his group of friends formed the Sankara Academy in Delhi. Sankara Academy serves the South Indian and North Indian Community for spreading the rich heritage of India became well known through out the length and breadth of the country. Sankara Academy also runs VedaPatasalas. He was closely associated with Lal Bahadur Sastri Sanskrit VidyaPeeth and several Universities.

AdiSankara Vimana Mandapa Committee was set up under the chairmanship of Shri KamalapathiTripathi, who was the Chief Minister of U.P., and with other eminent persons. Shri C.S. Ramachandran was its Vice Chairman. A huge temple at the Sangam at Allahabad was constructed at the instance of the Paramacharya of Kanchi. It was Paramacharya’s vision that people can offer their worship to their Lord after bathing in the holy sangam. The temple has three tiers which house the temple of Kamakshi, Venkateshwara and Sahasra Lingams and also has AdiSankaraand his disciples at the top most level. This was constructed over a period of 13 years and consecrated in 1986. This has become a landmark in Allahabad, where, when people have bath in Sangam, they are able to see this towering temple and offer prayers.

Shri C.S. Ramachandran was requested to be the Chairman of Badrinath and Kedarnath Temple Committee in the year 1977. For almost over a decade, he was its Chairman. During this period the temple was completely renovated. There was a unique collaboration with Andhra Pradesh’s Endowment Department. The temple renovation was designed by the famous PadmashriGanapathiSthapathi as per the agamas and the tradition of the BadhriDham. The Government of Andhra Pradesh helped in the preparation of pillars and the construction with granite blocks, and they were transported to Badrinath through rail and road. This involved tremendous coordination. True to AdiSankara tradition, this was an embodiment of National Integration with the stones of Banjara adorning the temple at Badrinath as a unique example of merging and co-operation of North- South cultures. During his tenure as Chairman of the Committee the entire administration of the Temples of Badrinath and Kedarnath was strengthened, professionally managed and systems introduced. This was done without disturbing the religious traditions of the temples.

The State Government of Uttar Pradesh was so impressed with the transformation of these important shrines, that Chief Minister Shri N.D. Tiwari requested Shri Ramachandran to help and plan the Endowments Act for Uttar Pradesh. His association with Uttar Pradesh Government continued till the end.

Shri C.S. Ramachandran was instrumental in setting up the Kamakshi Temple at Delhi and associated with almost all the temples, which came up between 1955-1980 at New Delhi.

Though a devout Hindu, Shri C.S. Ramachandran’s credibility as secular person was unquestioned and he was highly respected in all religious forums. Shri Ramachandran met His Holiness the Pope during one of his visits to the Vatican. He had been associated with several Islamic organizations and he had amongst his very close friends some leading Muslimdisnitariesof the country. Being a great Rama Bhakta, he condemned the senseless violence on innocent people in the name of Ram – during the Ram JanmaBhoomiAyodhya controversy.

He was always involved with several charitable institutions, hospitals, and education for poor and with almost all the charitable activities of the Kanchi Mutt. Being a self-effacing man, most did not know of his quiet contribution.

Cutting across caste and religion, he had done excellent service to the poor for education and medical requirements and he was involved in major organizations for poor feeding. After the death of his eldest son, Shri Ramachandran set up a Charitable Trust in his name and many charitable work were undertaken like educating poor children, scholarship’s for poor students, eye operations etc.

Shri C.S. Ramachandran was seen as a visionary in bridging the North –South divide and for upholding the great traditions of AdiSankara, and for his contribution to culture and economic development in the Northern States. In fact he is remembered much more in Northern India than in the South. Recognizing the work he was done, Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi invited him to be a Member on the AdiSankara Committee which was set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. He was also in the National Committee for VedaParipalana of the Ministry of Human Resources Development for preserving and development of Vedas, to run Veda Patasalas and give financial aid to institutions all over the country.

Shri Ramachandran was a devout disciple of Paramacharya of Kanchi and was closely associated with the great Saint of Kanchi. After his retirement he had completely devoted himself in carrying out the wishes of Paramacharya of Kanchi until the great sage of Kanchi passed away. Shri Ramachandran, on every birthday of his, spent his time at the lotus feet of the Paramacharya and refused to celebrate in any other way except in his presence.

Shri C.S. Ramachandran, the simple, soft spoken, generous person, had a strong will and determination to achieve the goals he had set. He could convince even the most difficult of his political bosses with his logic and conviction but gentle and soft words. He was unshakable in his determination. He was a great and generous boss as long as his sub-ordinates were not corrupt or devious. His foresight and his clear directions endeared him both to his bosses and subordinates. They were always assured of his support.

True to his great faith and his own personal conviction, he passed away quietly and peacefully.

Kanchi Acharya and several other people remarked on his passing away. They were to say that “a great legend bas passed away. In his 85 years he had achieved so much and has left landmarks and monuments for a hundred years to come. His great tradition, his programmes and policies as a brilliant civil servant with foresight and vision, left an indelible mark on Administration. He was a legend for simplicity, tradition, bhakti and humanity.”