As the world is fast inching towards an energy crisis, there is one man who has always strived for its conservation, optimum utilization and enhancing productivity of the scarce energy resources. The man is none other than M S Srinivasan, Special Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, who is presently guiding India's forward march towards meeting her energy needs. In fact, it was not long back when he once said: "As a developing country, we need to use energy efficiently. More than 70% of our energy needs are met by imports. We pay through our nose for buying oil."

He, at the same time, while emphasising the role of ONGC, which falls under his ministry and is India's major oil exploration company said: "ONGC is driven by ambitions. One should not leave any part of the hydrocarbon value chain untouched." Certainly, he is all out to make the best use of existing energy resources. A graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras with a B.Tech. in Civil Engineering, Srinivasan received his Master's in Public Administration from Harvard University in 1987 and was later selected for Indian Administrative Services. He underwent training at the National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie from 1971 to 1973 and has been a member of the IAS for the last thirty years.

Blending the rare combination of technical expertise with administrative ability, Srinivasan has served Indian administration at various capacities including as Sub-collector, Tuticorin Division, General Manager, Pallavan Transport Corporation, Managing Director, Kattabomman Transport Corporation, Project Co-ordinator, Tamil Nadu Integrated Nutrition Project, Collector, Dharmapuri and Ramanathapuram districts. During this wide-ranging career, he also served as Project Director Tamil Nadu Health Project, Marketing Director Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited, Managing Director Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Chairman and Managing Director Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited and as the Secretary of the Government of Tamil Nadu Industries Department.

Known for his dedication and tireless energy for pursuing social causes, Srinivasan played a crucial role in health care program in Tamil Nadu which focused pregnant and lactating mothers. He covered 9000 villages, covering over 40% of state's population within a record time. A stupendous feat indeed! And with a person like him guiding the fortune of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, can there be a goal unachievable?