Mr. M M Rajendran

Shri M M Rajendran
Former Governor, Orissa

Education back ground : M.A. (Physics) University of Madras. Studied Administration"
in USA for 5 months and in Asian Institute of Labour, Manila with a fellowship awarded by the U.S. Department of Labour and sponsored by Government of India. 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.