Chennai: In an emotionally charged moment, senior IAS officer P. Amudha (1994 batch, Tamil Nadu cadre) broke down and hugged Rani Venkatesan, the grieving mother of IAS Beela Venkatesan, during the latter’s final rites on Wednesday.
1997 batch IAS officer Beela, who had been serving as Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Energy Department, passed away after a battle with brain cancer.
IAS Beela, aged in her early 50s, had been suffering from severe headaches for the past three months. Medical scans revealed a brain tumor that was later diagnosed as malignant and incurable. Despite aggressive treatment at a private hospital in Chennai and home-based care, her condition deteriorated, and she passed away late Tuesday night.
Amudha IAS Mourns Close Friend, Offers Support to Family
Ms Amudha, a contemporary of IAS Beela in the Tamil Nadu cadre, was visibly emotional during the ceremony. On seeing Beela’s body, she stood in silence for a long time, unable to hold back tears. She later hugged Beela’s mother Rani, who clung to her in grief.
According to sources close to the family, Ms Amudha and Beela shared a deep professional and personal bond, having joined the IAS around the same time and served in several key positions in Tamil Nadu.
Ms Amudha also met and consoled Beela’s two daughters, Pinky and Peerthi, offering comfort during the difficult time. One of the daughters is married, while the other is reportedly pursuing higher studies in the United States.
High-Ranking Officials Pay Respects
The funeral, held at Besant Nagar crematorium, was attended by numerous senior bureaucrats and politicians. Among those who paid their last respects were –
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin
- Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin
- Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena
- Corporation Commissioner Kumaragurubaran
- Senior IAS officer J. Radhakrishnan
- IAS officers Apoorva and Vimmi, among others.
CM Stalin spent time consoling Beela’s mother and family, while several IAS officers who had worked closely with Beela remembered her as a dedicated and compassionate officer.
Beela Venkatesan: A Committed Public Servant
IAS Beela was known for her diligence, integrity, and commitment to public welfare. Over her career, she held multiple key posts and was respected across departments for her quiet efficiency and compassionate approach to governance.
Her sudden passing has left a void in the state’s administrative community, with colleagues and citizens expressing their grief across social media platforms.
