E. S. L. Narasimhan

E. S. L. Narasimhan is a distinguished former Indian Police Service officer and administrator who served as the Governor of multiple Indian states. He is best known for his unique dual role as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and the first Governor of Telangana following the state's bifurcation in 2014. His career, spanning over four decades, is marked by significant tenures in intelligence, security, and constitutional governance, particularly during a period of major political transition in South India.

Early life and education

Erukala Samba Linga Velayudhan Narasimhan was born on 23 August 1945 in Kakinada, then part of the Madras Presidency in British India. He completed his early education in his hometown before moving to Madras for higher studies. He graduated with a degree in physics from the prestigious Presidency College under the University of Madras. His academic background in the sciences preceded a shift towards public administration, leading him to join the Indian Police Service in 1968.

Career in the Indian Police Service

Narasimhan was appointed to the Indian Police Service in the 1968 batch, allocated to the Andhra Pradesh Police cadre. He quickly gained a reputation for his acumen in handling complex security and intelligence matters. A significant portion of his career was spent with the Intelligence Bureau, where he held several key positions, including a crucial stint as the Joint Director in Hyderabad. His expertise was instrumental during periods of internal security challenges, including the operations against the Naxalite movement in the Telangana region. He also served as the Police Commissioner of Hyderabad and later rose to become the Director General of Police of Andhra Pradesh in 2005, overseeing the state's police force.

Governorship of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Following his retirement from the Indian Police Service, Narasimhan was appointed as the Governor of Chhattisgarh in January 2007, a state grappling with Left Wing Extremism. In December 2009, he was transferred to become the Governor of Andhra Pradesh. His tenure became historically significant when, following the passage of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, the new state of Telangana was formed on 2 June 2014. He was appointed as the first Governor of Telangana while concurrently serving as Governor of the residuary Andhra Pradesh. This dual governorship placed him at the helm during the sensitive and complex administrative bifurcation process, overseeing the division of assets, the establishment of a new capital at Amaravati, and ensuring constitutional stability. He served in this unique capacity until July 2019 for Andhra Pradesh and September 2019 for Telangana.

Awards and recognition

For his distinguished service, Narasimhan has been honored with several prestigious awards. He is a recipient of the Police Medal for Meritorious Service and the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service. His contributions to public administration were further recognized with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, which he received in 2019. These accolades underscore his long-standing commitment to national security and governance.

Personal life

Narasimhan is married to Vimala Narasimhan, a former academic. The couple maintains a relatively private life. Known for his disciplined routine and deep interest in Carnatic music, he is also an avid reader. Following his retirement from the Raj Bhavan, he has largely stayed away from active public politics, residing in Hyderabad.

Category:1945 births Category:Living people Category:Indian Police Service officers Category:Governors of Andhra Pradesh Category:Governors of Telangana Category:Governors of Chhattisgarh Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan