M.G. Devasahayam, a former Army and Indian Administrative Service officer, is an economist, soldier, and administrator, with a distinguished career spanning over five decades and direct and first-hand experience in the working and ethos of the Indian Army, the IAS, the public and private sectors, the political system, and Non-Government Organisations.

Devasahayam holds an MA degree in Economics from Loyola College, Madras, and taught there for one year. Commissioned in the Indian Army in 1964. Participated in Aid to Civil Authority in Tamil Nadu (1965), the Indo-Pak War (1965), and Counter-Insurgency operations in Nagaland (1967-68).

He moved to IAS in 1968 (Haryana cadre) and worked in several senior positions in government including District Collector/Magistrate of two Districts, Divisional Commissioner, Head of Departments (Transport, Urban Development, Excise & Taxation), Chairman, Electricity Board, and Secretary to Government.

In the Corporate/Institutional area has been Advisor, Ashok Leyland Ltd; Director, Sterling Holiday Resorts; Advisor, PSEG (Global) and Chief Consultant, IIT Madras Research Park.

In the Voluntary Sector has been Managing Trustee, Citizens? Alliance for Sustainable Living (SUSTAIN); Associate, Alliance to Save Energy (USA); National Consultant, Sustainable Chennai Project; National Consultant, City Development Plan, Chennai; Faculty for Power Sector Training Programmes and Convener, Forum for Electoral Integrity.

Devasahayam is a prolific writer, contributing Op-Eds, lead articles, articles and columns to many newspapers and magazines on a range of topics including Governance, Civil Services, Urban development, Environment, and Politics.

He is author of the following books: India?s Second Freedom - An Untold Saga; JP in Jail-An Uncensored Account; JP Movement, Emergency and India?s Second Freedom, and A Drop of Love-Memoir of Saint Teresa.

He was closely associated with the leader of the anti-Emergency movement, the late Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), and Mother (now Saint) Teresa.  As District Magistrate, Chandigarh, he was JP?s custodian during his Emergency imprisonment [1975]. By keeping JP safe and alive during detention he had played a small part in restoring India to democracy in 1977.

While at Chandigarh, Devasahayam had worked closely with Mother Teresa for about 6 years and was instrumental in the setting up of the ?Home for orphans, abandoned infants, dying destitute and mentally retarded? [Shanti-Dan] within the city and a sanctuary for lepers outside.

Devasahayam is presently settled in Nagercoil and is Convener, Forum for Electoral Integrity, Chairman of the Pan-India People?s Parliament for Unity & Development, and Chairman of Naam Kumari Makkal, mentoring the ReBuild Kanyakumari Movement.

Awards:   Military: Samar Seva (War Service) Star; General Service Medal with Bar; Civil: Loyola Alumni Lifetime Achiever Award. (Platinum Jubilee-2010).