Wednesday, 18 October 2017

Former Chief Planner and Board Member of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and Former Chairman of Institute of Town Planners, India [ ITPI----Tamilnadu Chapter] Shri. Ananda Ranjana Doss, B.E, M.T.P. Part Final.

Shri Ananda Ranjana Doss' Education ; Mr Ananda Ranjana Doss passed his 8th std through  the Government High School, at Valparai and  his High School Studies at the famous Findlay High School , Manaargudi [ his father  Mr. J.Asirvatham also did his high School studies in the same school , long ago]. After his SSLC, Mr. Ananda R. Doss did his PUC [1960-1961].at the prestigious American College , Madurai.  Then he joined the famous PSG College of Engineering, Coimbatore, for his BE[Civil]  and successfully completed his BE degree in 1966.  After having worked at the MMDA[ later called CMDA,] for some period of time,  Shri Ananda Ranjana Doss joined the famous College of Architecture , Chennai  and successfully completed his MT.P[ Master of Town Planning ] Post Graduate degree course.   Moreover, Shri Ananda Ranjana Doss went to the United States and successfully completed one year  higher studies on Town Planning under  the prestigious Ford Foundation Fellowship Program

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Shri. Ananda Ranjana Doss, B.E, M.T.P
Former Chief Planner and Member of CMDA.


His Marriage:  Mr. Ananda Ranjana Doss married Ms. Vasanthy , the cute eldest daughter of Mr Israel and Mrs . Selva Packiam Israel couple, of Nagercoil on 26th May 1969  and the wedding ceremony was conducted  at the Kanamalai Estate located near Coimbatore.  Mrs Vasanthy Anand's father Mr. Israel and Mr.Anada Ranjana Doss's father Mr.J. Asirvatham were great friends. Mr. Ananda Ranjana Doss and Mrs Vasanthy Ananda Ranjana Doss couple gave birth to a handsome boy child by name A. Rajesh and a beautiful girl child  by name Ms. Reena. 

Mr Ananda R. Doss' Children : Mr. Ananda Ranjana Doss' son Mr A. Rajesh is married to Ms. Shirly and this couple is blessed with a  cute girl child  and  Rajesh  is settled in Chennai  with his family. Mr. Ananda Ranjana Doss' daughter Ms Reena is married to Er. Suresh Bennett , B.E, M.B.A, and this blissful couple is blessed with two daughters . Mr. Suresh Benett, B.E, M.B.A is working in US and Ms. Renna Suresh is living in  New York, US, with her husband and children.

Some High lights on Mr. Ananda Ranjana Doss' Professional Career:   Immediately after having passed his BE [Civil] ,Mr Ananda R Doss  joined the Public Works Department , Government of Tamilnadu as an Engineer , at Mathuranthagam, then he shifted to Slum Clearance Board , Trichy. From Trichy he was transferred  to Chennai.  When Madras Metropolitan Development Authority [ now it called as CMDA ] was formed by the Government of Tamilnadu, Mr Ananda R Doss joined the MMDA [CMDA] as a Junior Engineer and afterwards there was no turning back . After he passed his MTP  degree he rejoined MMDA  and he was promoted as Deputy Planner and since then, he was continuously working with the Chennai Metropolitan Department [CMDA] till his retirement. in 2003.  He distinctively worked with the CMDA as a Deputy Planner, Senior Deputy Planner, Senior Planner and finally as Chief Planner and  Governing Board Member of the Chennai Metropolitan Authority. He retired from active Government service on 2003.

Some  colorful feathers on his Professional and public life :
{1]He was a Member at the famous Cosmopolitan Club, Chennai. [2] He served as Guest faculty Member at the College of Architecture, Chennai .[3] Shri Ananda Ranjana Doss served as the Chairman of the Institute of Town Planners India [ Tamilnadu Chapter ], [4]  He also served as Director of SUSTAIN [ Citizens Alliance for Sustainable Living ] in a innovative, creative and useful  manner.

Conclusion: Shri Ananada Ranjana Doss was a remarkable and outstanding visionary Town Planner. These outstanding Projects like CMBT Bus Terminus, Koyambedu Wholesale Market , Ring roads that surrounds the  Chennai city and the development of Marina beach , Maraimalai Adihalar satellite Township,  Spenser Buildings at Anna salai etc will speak and proclaim about Town Planner Ananda Ranjana Doss' visionary contribution for  the cause of Town Planning in Chennai, Tamilnadu and India . He  had gone  from this world  on 2016, but he lives  in the structures built during his tenure as Town Planner at various levels and finally  as Chief Town Planner  and Governing Board Member  of CMDA. He was modest ,  friendly, compassionate , smart,  creative , efficacious and unassuming; his absence is really a great loss to the vision and mission of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and  Town Planning in India  .  He was really a great man .

By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A,. [ Rights reserved. This Article will be modified , enlarged or corrected later , if needed]. 



1 comment:

  1. Great write up. was his neighbour & friend in Chennai. last met him 2015. greatly appreciate if you can share any of his family contacts to me at mvrao51@gmail.com or on Whatsapp 9840048792 as I live outside India

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