ADIEU, SHRI GOVIND NARAIN !

April 8, 2012

Shri Govind Narain, who served with great distinction as President of Common Cause for long, breathed his last peacefully at his residence in Chhattarpur in South Delhi on April 3, 2012 at the age of 95 years. He had refused to be admitted in a hospital.

Shri Govind Narain was formally elected as President of Common Cause on December 7, 1990. He had been chairing the meetings of the Governing Council since January 1988 during the illness of Shri S. Ranganathan, the first President of Common Cause. He continued in office till December 11, 2004.

One of the last surviving ICS officers, Shri Govind Narain had joined the service in 1939. He achieved fame early in his career. The resourcefulness that he displayed as Collector of Aligarh in the turbulent months following the partition of India saved the Aligarh Muslim University from the wrath of powerful communal forces. Hand-picked in 1951 to serve as adviser to the King of Nepal, he laid the foundations of sound Indo-Nepal bilateral relations.

As Secretary, Defence Production, Shri Govind Narain was instrumental in setting up India’s defence production establishment with Soviet assistance. During his term as Home Secretary from 1971 to 1973, he played a key role in the creation of Mukti Bahini and the planning of the Bangladesh campaign. He retired in 1975 after a two year term as Defence Secretary. The recipient of the second highest national honour of Padma Vibhushan, he served as the Governor of Karnataka from 1977 to 1983.

Shri Govind Narain was also associated with Public Interest Legal Support and Research Trust, Shankara Vidya Kendra, and Federation of Indo-German Society in India. His essays appeared in editions such as Old Mandarins of India and The Governor: Sage or Saboteur.

The following condolence message was delivered to the family of Shri Govind Narain on behalf of the Governing Council at a memorial meeting held on April 8 at Chinmaya Mission, Lodi Road, New Delhi.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

April 8, 2012

The Governing Council of Common Cause Society expresses its profound sorrow and sense of loss at the demise of Shri Govind Narain, ICS (Retd.) and offers its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Shri Govind Narain, who served with great distinction as President of the Governing Council of Common Cause Society for long years, will always be remembered for his exceptional leadership, towering intellect, compassion and courage of conviction. He played a cardinal role in making Common Cause the institution that it has become.

May his soul rest in eternal peace!

(Sd.) 
Maj. Gen. (Retd.)J. P. Gupta 
Vice President
(Sd.)
Kamal Kant Jaswal
Director

January - March, 2012