Rajyasevapraveena G. Parameswaran Pillai

G. Parameswaran Pillai (1890-1963) also known as "GP", was the Chief Secretary and Officiating "Dewan" of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom in pre-Independent India. He started his career as a lawyer, and later became Judge of the Court of Travancore, before joining the administration. The Maharaja of Travancore conferred on him the title of "Rajyasevapraveena".

His contributions to the State of Travancore and later to India are numerous. Being an authority on constitutional matters, he attended India's Round Table Conference in London, in the delegation led by Mahatma Gandhi. He served as Post-War Reconstruction Officer following several years of service as Chief Secretary. He negotiated with the Federal Government, working closely with Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon, on behalf of Travancore to finalise the Instrument of Accession. After India won Independence, he served as the first Trade Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand (the Trade Commissioner position was later known as High Commissioner).

He also served as Director of the Reserve Bank of India and was instrumental in founding the Co-operative Bank movement. His service on administrative reforms committee set up by the State Government is well recognized. He also served on educational committees set up by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, working in close association with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Dr. Zakir Husain, Rao Bahadur Krishnamachari, Honourable Rajkumari Amrit Kaur et al.

External links

* [http://www.gppillai.org GP Pillai]