ABOUT

Dr. M. Rajaram IAS (Retd.) – Bio Data
Profile Summary
  • IAS Officer – Batch 1992 (Retd.), Ph.D holder with 35+ years of multifaceted experience across virtually all major departments of Tamil Nadu State Administration.
  • Currently associated with Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission as Member.
  • An accomplished leader with vast experience spanning Education, Revenue, Health, Housing & Infrastructure, Human Resources, IT, District Administration, Planning, Transport, and Tourism.
  • Distinguished administrator, academician, decisive problem solver, and advocate — adroit at framing and implementing government policies with a reputation for impeccable integrity.
  • Eminent Research Scholar in education and administration — formulated a government department from his Ph.D thesis; authored more than 40 books.
  • Recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Best Collector Award, Malcolm Award, Anna Award, and St. John's Ambulance Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Educational Details
1993
Bachelor of Law (BL) University of Madras
1992
Ph.D in Human Resource Development (HRD) University of Madras
1982
M.Ed – Guidance and Counselling Madurai Kamaraj University
1978
M.A – English Literature Madurai Kamaraj University
Core Competencies
E-Governance
Education
Tech Savvy
Cogent Thinker
Public Service
Public Relations
Process Improvement
Project Management
Revenue Admin
Technology Application
Dispute Resolution
Elite Mentor
Media Management
Team Management
Splendid Communicator
CSR Activities
Women Empowerment
Prolific Writer
Key Accolades
Best Collector Award – Govt. of Tamil Nadu2000
Poet Laureate Award – World Poets Congress2017
HUDCO Award for Low-Cost Housing2002
National Award – Cultural Tourism, Govt. of India2003
National Award – Rural Tourism, Govt. of India2003
National Award – Best Collateral Publicity, Govt. of India2003
Malcolm Award for Literacy Service – TN Government1999
St. John's Ambulance Award2000
Anna Literacy Award – Hon'ble Governor of Tamil Nadu1990
Republic Day Celebrations Award – Govt. of India2014
Seva Rathna Award – Service to the Blind, Bharathi Yuvakendra2014
CNBC Travel Award – "The Best Weekend Getaway"2008
Gandhiya Vashista Vidya Shiksak Award – Hon'ble Governor, TN1995
Humanitarian Award – Hon'ble Vice President of India2017
Mahatma Gandhi Sahaya Puraskari Award – Gandhian Forum Trust2008
Best Global Entrepreneur Award – Inst. of Chartered Directors of India2010
Major Accomplishments

Education

  • Opened 120 Rural Schools across Tamil Nadu; recruited over 15,000 teachers; introduced Star Schools clusters; organised coaching classes for SC/ST students.
  • Organised programs like Inter-School Parliament, Computer Literacy, Foster Parent Scheme and job-oriented courses; improved Tribal School standards.
  • Assisted the Government in forming a new Department to regulate unregistered nursery & matriculation schools — based on his Ph.D thesis.

District Administration

  • Raised Thanjavur District's overall performance from 20th to 1st position.
  • Prevented communal clashes by forming peace committees across villages.
  • Released and rehabilitated 200 bonded labourers; received Government commendation.
  • Digitalized revenue records; commended by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
  • Issued 10,600 house site pattas for the homeless; provided aids to 1,500 differently-abled, 8,500 Kisan Credit Cards, and eye surgeries for 900 needy people.
  • Digitalized the Saraswathy Mahal Palm Leaf Library, Thanjavur; transcribed Modi Scripts of King Sarfoji.

Disaster Management

  • Successfully handled Drought & Floods in Thanjavur District.
  • Mobilized funds for Thane Cyclone and Tsunami relief; received Government commendation.

Religious Endowment

  • Digitalized temple records; retrieved 399 acres from encroachers; renovated 400 temples, 500 temple cars & 600 temple tanks.
  • Implemented Nithya Pooja in remote villages; conducted Kumbhabhishekam in 1,000+ temples; organised Rejuvenation Camps for Temple Elephants.
  • Masterminded mass marriages for 1,000 underprivileged couples.

Slum Clearance

  • Constructed 15,600 tenements to rehabilitate slum dwellers.
  • Provided entrepreneur training to 7,369 slum women as part of women empowerment.

Labour

  • Resolved major industrial disputes at Ashok Leyland, L&T, Hindustan Motors, and IOCL.
  • Organised Lok Adalats; settled 425 claims; received commendation from the Chief Justice of Madras High Court.
  • Constructed 499 houses for Beedi workers; implemented pension scheme for construction workers; devised State action plan to eliminate child labour.

Rural Development

  • Computerized records of all 6,522 Panchayats and 385 Block Panchayats.
  • Established 626 Kiosks for farmers; retrieved 112 acres of Bhoodhan land from encroachers.
  • Constructed 38,990 houses for the poor.

Housing

  • Recovered Rs. 378.60 Cr. worth of Government land from encroachers.
  • Re-engineered Tamil Nadu Housing Board and made it debt-free.

Tourism

  • Topped in accessing Central Government funds nationally (2008).
  • Increased gross profit of Tamil Nadu Tourism Corporation by 64%.
  • Established Medical Tourism Information Centre; developed Manora as a tourism destination.
  • Introduced tourist-friendly transport autos and Hop-on Hop-off Bus Services in Chennai.

Industry

  • Achieved 100% production in all units for the first time in Tamil Nadu Cements history; increased net profit by 300%.

Transport

  • Introduced Online filing for National Permit (1st in India), E-Lot system for other state vehicles, software for action on drunken drivers, SMS service for vehicle tax status, Speed Governors for school/college vehicles, and BS-IV/BS-III Emission Standards.

Language & Culture

  • Translated several Tamil Classics and rare 17th–18th century books into English and Mandarin.
  • Instituted 56 new awards for Tamil scholars and enthusiasts.
  • Established Galleries for ancient Tamil, Thirukkural, and Sangam literature.
Work Experience – Government Service
2016–2018
Member & Chairman i/c — Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission
2011–2016
Secretary — Tamil Development, Religious Endowment & Information
2010–2011
Commissioner of Transport
2009–2010
Managing Director — Tamil Nadu Cements Corporation
2007–2009
Commissioner of Tourism / MD, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation
2006–2007
Managing Director — Tamil Nadu Housing Board
2003–2006
Director of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj
2002–2003
Commissioner of Labour; Chairman – Tamil Nadu Manual Workers, Auto Workers & Construction Workers Welfare Boards; Vice Chairman – Labour Welfare Board
2001–2002
Managing Director — Slum Clearance Board
1999–2001
2004–2005
District Collector — Thanjavur & Chennai
1998–1999
Deputy Commissioner of Health — Chennai
1997–1998
Sub Collector — Tiruvallur & Vellore
1996–1997
Joint Commissioner (Prohibition & Excise)
1995–1996
Administrative Officer — SAF Games Village
1990–1996
Joint Director of School Education
1988–1999
Secretary — Tamil Nadu Parent Teacher Association
1988–1989
Deputy Director of School Education
1985–1988
Chief Educational Officer — Madras
1983–1985
Inspector of Matriculation and Anglo-Indian Schools
1982–1983
District Education Officer
1979–1982
Post Graduate Teacher
Project Experience with International Organisations
ADB Tourism Project — Asian Development Bank 2007–2009
World Bank Rural Development Projects with World Bank Funding 2004–2006
INDUS Child Labour Elimination — INDUS Project 1999–2001
Professional Memberships
President – Indian Officers Association Member – IIPA, New Delhi Life Member – Bharat Scouts & Guides Life Member – St. John's Ambulance Life Member – Indian Red Cross Society Life Member – Blue Cross Society Life Member – Indian Council for Child Welfare Trustee – Sivananda International Vedanta Centre, Canada Member – Theosophical Society Member – World Poets Congress Member – Gandhian Youth Forum
Books Authored (40+)
Who will Bell the Cat? (Tamil & English)
Community School Relations
Learning Goals
Towards Prosperity
Quality in Educational Administration
HRD in Educational Administration
Pearls of Wisdom – Thirukkural
Glory of Thirukkural (Tamil & English)
Thiruvalluvar and Buddha
Thiruvalluvar and Shakespeare
Changing Faces of School Inspection
Manora (English & Tamil)
Green Thoughts
Honey Dews
Enrich Your Life
Joy of Learning
Life Lessons from Mahatma
Better Tomorrow
Bosses: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Better English
Blossoms in English
Food for Thought
Elemental Warriors
Glory of Tamil (Tamil)
Success Mantra in Bhagavad Gita (English)
Success Mantra in Bhagavad Gita (Mandarin)
Oriental Wisdom
Glorious India
A Brave New World
Tamil Nadu in the Forefront
Eternal Lamp
Educational Research
Passport for Success
Select Commendations
"Dr. Rajaram's translation of Thirukkural makes a garland of knowledge guiding people on the right path. The translation is unique in its simplicity, elegance and maintenance of poetic rhythm."
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul KalamPresident of India (2002–2007)
"An outstanding, dynamic and effective officer. Excellent problem solving abilities and leadership skills. He is exceptional in that he has great interest and aptitude for the Tamil language and has written several books."
M.V. ChunkathChief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, 23.06.2012
"Dr. M. Rajaram is a member of India's top Civil Service, the IAS, and has a distinguished track record of more than 22 years of service. Dr. Rajaram has struck an excellent balance between readability and a pragmatic approach keeping in view today's modern, highly stressed executive."
N. Vittal, IAS (Retd.)Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner of India, 07.03.2014
"Dr. M. Rajaram is a highly dedicated and committed officer. He is very hard working and sincere. He has a good style of leadership and generally obtains willing support of his subordinates."
Debendranath Sarangi IASChief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, 23.11.2011
"Tamil Nadu Cements has achieved 100% production target for the first time in the 40-year history of TANCEM. The efforts of Dr. M. Rajaram are primarily responsible for this achievement."
Dr. Rajeev Ranjan IASPrincipal Secretary, Industries Department, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, 24.10.2009
"Dr. M. Rajaram is a renowned Scholar, able Administrator and Distinguished Diplomat. I sincerely congratulate Dr. M. Rajaram IAS for his incredible dedication and efforts."
Dr. Rajan R. NatarajanDeputy Secretary, Office of the Secretary of State, Maryland, USA – April 18, 2014
Personal Details
Date of Birth
26th February 1956
Passport Number
Z3265167
Languages Known
Tamil, English, Telugu
Email
mraajaram@gmail.com
   

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Poet Laureate Award from World Poets Congress, Mongolia – 2017.
CNBC Travel Award for “Best Weekend Getaway” – 2008.
National Award from Government of India for Rural Tourism – 2003.
HUDCO Award for Low Cost Housing – 2002.
Best Collector Award from Tamil Nadu Government – 2000.
Gandhi  Award from Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu – 1995.

Commendation from the Secretary General, SAF Games, VII.

Seva Ratna Award for service to the blind from Bharathi Yuvakendra, Madurai – 2014.

National Award from GOI for Best Collateral Publicity – 2003.
National Award from Government of India for Cultural Tourism – 2003.
St. John’s Ambulance Award – 2000.
Malcolm Award for Literacy Service from TN Government – 1999.
Anna Literacy Award from Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu – 1990.
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