V. Viswanathan

V. Viswanathan Biography

V. Viswanathan was an ICS officer from Kerala, who has also served as governor of Kerala and Himachal Pradesh after his retirement from civil service. He was the Chief Commissioner of Bhopal during 1950 - 1952 and of Delhi during 1964 – 1966. He was also a part of the five-member Committee of Governors constituted by President V V Giri to examined powers and functions of state Governor. He lived during the period, 25 January 1909 – 16 January 1987. He was the first Keralite to be appointed as the governor of Kerala, which was quite an unusual procedure, not so common even nowadays.

His full name was Venkata Viswanathan. He was born on 25 January 1909. He hailed from Palakkad, born in British India, then a part of Madras Presidency. Thrikkaderi was his native village. He passed Indian Civil Service exams to join ICS in 1930 during British rule in India. He completed his education in different colleges of India and abroad, and they include - Central College Bangalore, University College London and at the Balliol College Oxford. After joining ICS in 1930, he rose to several prominent positions as an administrator serving many elite positions in government service.

V. Viswanathan is known for his anti-communist take. He was keen in observing even the minute incidents and occurrences surrounding Delhi and its outskirts. While serving as governor of Kerala, once he had a tension and conflict with then state CM E. M. S. Namboodiripad. He prepared his own address to the Kerala Legislature, and the government rejected his draft. He is also known for persuading EMS to resign as CM. Viswanathan served as governor of Kerala during May 15, 1967 to March 31, 1973.

Published: September 03, 2018

Updated: September 03, 2018