My Father

As some of you know, my father, Shri R. V. Chandramouli recently passed away in Chennai. I am reproducing here a tribute that appeared in the Adyar Times on Sunday June 29, 2008 (with a few edits shown in italics).

Mr. R. V. Chandramouli, 75, passed away on Monday, June 23, 2008, after a brief illness.

Mr. Chandramouli rose from humble beginnings to become the Chief Secretary of State of Gujarat. He was a student of Ramakrishna Mission Home and got his B.A. (Hons) from Vivekananda College, Madras in 1953.

Mr. Chandramouli joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1955 and served in various positions in the Gujarat Government including Home Secretary, Chief Election Commissioner and finally as the Chief Secretary. He was known for being an honest, no-nonsense officer with a great sense of humor and wit.

In 1997, after retirement, he settled in Gandhi Nagar, Adyar in Chennai. He brought his sense of duty and organisation to the local community. He championed eye donations amongst the senior citizens. One of his signature campaigns was to stop the local hospital to stop dumping medical wastes in the residential trash cans. Local residents remember his initiatives to clean neighbourhoods, minimize water problems and similar issues of common concern.

Mr. Chandramouli is survived by his wife, son, daughter-in-law, daughter and son-in-law and grand children.