Padinjarethalakal Cherian Alexander 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 for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He also served as the Indian High Commissioner 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. 

March 20th, 1921 in Mavelikkara  /  Died:   Feb 26th, 2013