CHENNAI: S Malathi, former chief secretary of the state, who was known as an upright officer, even more for the brave fight she had put up against cancer as she served in high posts in the government, died on Sunday morning in the city.She was 57. She is survived by her daughter Dhanya Athreya, mother S Rajam, brother S Madhavan and sister Mythili Baskaran. Senior government officials gathered at her house at Ashok Nagar and paid their respects. While many of Malathi’s colleagues praised her as an exemplary officer, some were shocked at her demise. “I have worked with her for 15 years. This is just not the time and I am in no position to talk,” a senior official said with tears welling up his eyes. Former Deputy CM and DMK leader M K Stalin was among those who visited her house. “She is known for her hard work and being organised. Though she might not come as an extrovert, she is a very kind person,” said another official.It was not just at work that she touched many people with her administrative capabilities and integrity. Malathi had lived in a close-knit family. “She was a very strong-willed person who meticulously planned her day and was quite organised and hardworking. She even had a relapse when she became the chief secretary. She was not just an inspiration at home but also outside,” said Madhavan, Malathi’s younger brother. He recalled the last three weeks that his sister spent in a hospital. She could just shake her head to acknowledge the presence of her daughter, who arrived from the US early on Sunday morning. A few hours later, she passed away. “She could not talk and she only shook her head at her daughter. It was like she was waiting for her daughter’s arrival,” he said. Malathi’s fight against breast cancer did not deter her from serving her best at work. A 1977-batch IAS officer from Thanjavur, she began her career as assistant collector of Tiruchy in 1978. She later held several top posts, including Vellore collector, Director of Social Welfare Department, Secretary to municipal administration and water supply department, Commissioner of commercial taxes, home secretary and vigilance commissioner and commissioner for administrative reforms before becoming Chief Secretary in August 2010. She was the second woman chief secretary after Lakshmi Pranesh. She took voluntary retirement in August 2011.
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