M.S. Ramesh, a former officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of the Tamil Nadu cadre, passed away at her residence on Saturday morning due to age-related problems. She was 90. She is survived by her younger sister, Revathy Sriram.
Ms. Ramesh, a postgraduate in literature, belonged to the 1958 batch of IAS officers. She began her career as Under Secretary in the State Food and Agriculture Department. Among the positions she held were Joint Secretary in the Finance and Industries Departments, Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Limited, Secretary of the Co-operation and Agriculture Departments, and the Commissioner and Secretary of the Social Welfare Department. When she retired in August 1992, she was the Principal Commissioner and Commissioner of Commercial Taxes (CCT) Chennai.
Describing her as a “legend,” Santha Sheela Nair, an IAS officer belonging to the 1973 batch, said: “Ms. Ramesh was a very private person though a public servant. She inspired generations of us, particularly women officers, in the civil service. She was a frail person but a woman of steel.”
Ms. Nair pointed out that two of Ms. Ramesh’s siblings were M.S. Rajajee, who became the Chief Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh government, and M.S. Lakshmi, who was one of the early gynaecologists in the country.
Published – June 28, 2025 11:01 pm IST
