Padinjarethalakal Cherian Alexander (20 March 1921 – 10 August 2011) was an Indian Administrative Service officer of 1948 batch who served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu from 1988 to 1990 and as the Governor of Maharashtra from 1993 to 2002. He was considered as a candidate for the post of the President of India in 2002. During his time in Maharashtra, he had additional charge of Goa from 1996 to 1998. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha representing Maharashtra as an independent candidate from 29 July 2002 to 2 April 2008. His career included extended stints with the United Nations and India's Ministry of Commerce and his high-profile appointment as the powerful Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India during his years with

Indira Gandhi Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (; Given name, ''née'' Nehru; 19 November 1917 – 31 October 1984) was an Indian politician and a central figure of the Indian National Congress. She was elected as third prime minister of India in 1966 ...

. He also served as the

Indian High Commissioner Indian or Indians may refer to: Peoples South Asia * Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor ** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country * South Asia ...

to the Court of St. James's. His autobiography is ''Through the Corridors of Power''. His other works include ''My years with Indira Gandhi'', ''The Perils of Democracy'', and ''India in the New Millennium''.

Family history, early life and background

P.C. Alexander studied at Bishop Hodges Higher Secondary School, and gained his post-graduate degree in History and Economics from the University of Travancore (now University of Kerala). During this period he also remained President, Travancore University Students Union.

Career

Alexander started his career as a civil servant in 1948 and held several high positions. He also involved himself in public life. Alexander was the principal secretary to Indira Gandhi and virtually served as her shadow and policy adviser for the years after her return to power in January 1980. He briefly served Rajiv Gandhi but the latter was not very comfortable with his paternal style and had him replaced. He was sent as India's High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom (1985-1987). He died in Chennai at the age of 90.

Bibliography

* ''My Years with Indira Gandhi'' by P. C. Alexander, Orient Paperbacks,

References

External links

An interviewAn interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, P. C. 1921 births 2011 deaths Governors of Goa Governors of Maharashtra Governors of Tamil Nadu Malayali politicians Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra People from Alappuzha district Annamalai University alumni High Commissioners of India to the United Kingdom Indian autobiographers Deaths from cancer in India Alexander, P. C. Indian Oriental Orthodox Christians Indian Administrative Service officers from Kerala