Pulipati Vaiyapuri Gopalaswamy (alias) VAIKO

Pulipati V. Gopalsamy also known as Vaiko, is a prominent politician in Tamil Nadu, in south India. V Gopalsamy was born into a Telugu speaking Kamma Naidu family in Kalingapatty near Sankarankovil, Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu) on 22 May 1944 to Pulipati Vaiyapuri and Ravilla Mariammal 

He is the founder and General Secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), a political party active mainly in the state of Tamil Nadu. He is known for his vocal support of Tamil people in Sri Lanka and LTTE.

He graduated with a Bachelor of arts degree in economics from St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai and masters from Presidency College, Chennai. He obtained his bachelor's degree in law from Madras Law College. He received Gold Medal in Economics and Best Speaker Award in St. Xavier’s College in 1964

Vaiko was a part of[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (D.M.K)] and was formerly seen as the ideological protege of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi.Vaiko was detained for more than an year in 1976-77 during emergency and for 40 days on charges of organizing black flag demonstration against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s visit to Tamil Nadu in Oct 1977.He has been arrested multiple times for peaceful demonstrations especially during the 1986-87 anti Hindi agitations.

He entered the Rajya Sabha in 1978 and has been member of the Upper House for three terms. He has also been elected to the Lok Sabha twice. In 1993, Vaiko started MDMK due to differences with Karunanidhi amid rumblings that Karunanidhi promoted his son M. K. Stalin to succeed him.

Vaiko was known as "Tiger Of Parliament" due to his vociferous speeches in Parliament.Vaiko protested against Kerala's demand for a new dam at Mullaperiyar and proposed building of dams in Pambar and Siruvani. Vaiko also supported national interlinking of rivers and Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project. Vaiko filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Madras High Court requesting closure of the copper smelting plant of Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin which did not follow the waste management procedures correctly and leading to the closure of the plant. Vaiko often goes on foot marches along with his party cadres to attract attention to issues.

Vaiko unequivocally supported LTTE and other organizations fighting for a separate Tamil country in Sri Lanka. He made a trip to Eelam at the height of the LTTE’s war with Sri Lankan Army. Vaiko was the first member of Parliament and chief of a registered political party in the country to be detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002. He was released after spending 18 months in prison.

In 2008, Criminal Investigation Department of Tamil Nadu police arrested Vaiko on charges of sedition. The charges stemmed from speeches Vaiko made at a party meeting on the Sri Lankan issue and the government's raids into LTTE-held areas on 21 October 2008. After 14 days in judicial custody, Vaiko was released.

He stated that India should retract its ban on the LTTE, claiming the ban was a shield to suppress freedom of expression and stifle the voice of the Opposition.

In 2005, Vaiko started the Marumalarchi Blood Donors' Club. Vaiko has launched many engagement programmes in rural areas with the participation of villagers. Vaiko has undergone a month-long padayatra in Tamil Nadu for the interlinking of inter state rivers in India. He arranged for giving vaccine for the 65Free Reprint Articles,000 kids of Sivakasi with three doses of shots to shield these people from Hepatitis and he used his private cash for the cause. He takes initiatives for the rehabilitation of the disabled children.

He married Renuka Devi on 14 June 1971. They have a son Durai Vaiyapuri and two daughters Rajalakshmi and Kannagi. Vaiko enjoys writing in his free time and has authored over 50 books apart from regular essays and columns in newspapers.

Vaiko's political career:

President-Kalingappatti Panchayat 1970

President- Land Development Bank, Kuruvikulam, 1971-75

Chairman- Kuruvikulam Panchayat Union.1970-76

President- District Central Co-Operative Bank. Tirunelveli 1972-73 
Propaganda Secretary- DMK Party for Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts,

Election Campaign Secretary of DMK from 1984 to 1993.

1978-96 Member of Parliament –Rajya Sabha

Founder of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra kalagam on 6th of May 1994.

1998-99-Member of Parliament – Lok Sabha-Sivakasi

1999-2004 Member of Parliament-Lok Sabha-Sivakasi.

LIFE SKETCH OF Dr.V.GENGUSWAMY NAIDU

Dr.V.GENGUSWAMY NAIDU is the only son of the blessed couple Sri.K.VENKATASUBBA NAIDU and Smt.V.LAKSHMI AMMAL, born on04.10.1931 at PETHAPPAMPATTI VILLAGE, Udumalpet taluk, CoimbatoreDistrict in Tamil Nadu.

He studied Business Management Technology at PHILADELPHIA Institute of Technology, U.S.A.

He married Srimathi.RAJA LAKSHMI, daughter of Sri.G.V.GOVINDA SWAMY NAIDU. The industrial magnet of UDUMALPET.

Dr.V.GENGUSWAMY NAIDU was conferred the Doctor of Literature on 25.05.1989 by the Pondicherry Central University for his outstanding contributions as Entrepreneur Practical Educationist and shrewd Academician.

He has philanthropic nature extending service for the uplift of downtrodden in various ways. He is no doubt a multidimensional personality. He has set up Paper and Textile Mills, opened innumerable schools all over Tamil Nadu. 

He is the father of TAMILNADU KAMMA NAIDU MAHAJANA SANGAM. He promoted sports and games, rendering service as head in many organizations. Taking into account his services in various capacities and responsibilities, his name deserves to be as ‘KODAIVALLAL AND “GOOD SAMARIAN’.

HIS VARIED RESPONSIBILITIES

Chairman : SRI VENKATESA GROUP

 Amaravathi Sri Venkatesa Paper Mills Ltd., Madathukulam

 The Sri Venketesa Mills Ltd., Udumalpet.

 Rajalakshmi Paper Mills Ltd., Udumalpet.

 Vishnuvardhan Paper Mills Pvt.Ltd., Madathukulam.

 V.G.Paper & Boards Ltd., Madathukulam.

 V.G.Textiles (P) Ltd. Pethappampatti.

 Nithya Finance Ltd., Udumalpet.

BUSINESS ASSOCIATION RESPONSIBILITIES

Chairman : South India Paper Mills Association.

Vice President : All India Small Scale Paper Mills Association.

President : Tamilnadu Paper Mills Association

HIS SERVICE IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

 Member : Managing Committee. Sri Visalakshi Girls Higher Secondary School, Udumalpet.

 Governing Council / Secretary Sri G.V.G. Visalakshi College for Women, Udumalpet.

 Governing Council, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences, Coimbatore.

 Board of Governors. Indira Gandhi School of Management, Central University, Pondicherry

 Founder : Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery, Matric. and Hr.Sec.Schools Tamilnadu (Total Schools: 35  Nursery, Primary & Matric. Higher Secondary)

 Correspondent : Madurai Manner Thirumalai Naicker College, Madurai

Founder and Correspondent : 

 1. Rajalakshmi Genguswamy Matriculation Higher Sec.School, Udumalpet.

 2. Rajalakshmi Genguswamy Matriculation Higher Sec. School, Pethappampatti, Udumalpet.(TK)

 3. Rajalakshmi Genguswamy Matriculation Higher Sec.School, Manoorpalayam, Dharapuram TK.

 4. G.V.G.Visalakshi Matric.Higher Sec.School, Udumalpet.

 5. Dr.V.G.N.Matric.Hr.Sec.School, Othakkalmandapam, Coimbatore.

HIS ASSOCIATION WITH SPORTS & GAMES

President : Bharat Scouts & Guides Pollachi Education District

Ex.State President : Tamil Nadu Volley Ball Association.

Government Nominee Member : Nehru Stadium Committee, Coimbatore.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Founder President : Udumalpet Fine Arts Society

Life Member : Sri Thyagabrama Mahotsave Sabha, Thiruvaiyaru

AS A RELIGIOUS PERSONALITY

His liberal donations for the renovations of Temples and Construction of New Temples deserves to be applauded. He specially contribute much for the renovation of Srirangam Ranganatha Swami Temple, Thiruvarur Temple, Thiruvaiyaru Temple, Srivilliputhur Temple. By his donations, manu new Temples in rural areas have been constructed.

SERVICE IN OTHER BRANCHES

Honourary Member : Rotary Club of Udumalpet.

Awardee of ‘For the Sake of Honour’ Award.

President : Udumalai Makkal Peravai

Founder & Managing Trustee : Rajalakshmi Genguswamy Charities, Udumalpet.

Founder : G.V.G. Naidu Auditorium cum Kalyana Mandapam, Udumalpet.

: The Sri Venkateswara Kalyana Mandapam,Venkatesapuram, Udumalpet.

: Venkatesa Subba Naidu Thirumana Mandapam, Pethappampatti.

A SOICIAL WORKER

He has donated a lot of funds for the construction of Mid-Day Meals Kitchens, Laboratories, Class Rooms, Assembly Halls and for providing play Grounds in many Schools in Tamil Nadu. 3.5 Acres of land has been donated by our leader for the construction of Adi-Dravidas Quarters at Kethanur Village in Palladam Taluk. He has also constructed ‘Kalyana Mandapams for the Adi-Dravidas Marriages of many poor people have been performed by his donation of ‘Mangal Sutras’ and Wedding Costumes.

He has been kind enough in helping financially destitutes, widows and physically handicapped to earn their living by running Dairying, Tailoring, Petty Trades etc. He focused his attention to uplift the downtrodden pondering over their problems and finding our solutions, as a social service.

PRESIDENT, TAMILNADU KAMMA NAIDU MAHAJANA SANGAM He is the Unique leader of 35 lakh Kamma Community mainly depending on agriculture in Tamil Nadu. Thanks to his effort, all kammas are united under one banner ‘KAMMA NAIDU MAHAJANA SANGAM’. For his Yeomen Service, he has to be aptly Called ‘KALIYUGA DHARMA MOORTHY’. To provide the noblest education, he has started more than 35 English Medium Schools all over Tamil Nadu facilitating accessibility by conveyances to the poorest of the poor in the remotest rural areas, irrespective of casts, creed and religious.

SERVICE HIS PROGENY

The complete family of Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Garu is involving itself to improve our community and especially his son Sri.G.Ravindara Naidu would be the torch bearer to lead us and uphold the aim of his father to materialize our cause in the ensuing years.

PRESIDENT TAMIL NADU TELEGU FEDERATION

The Telugu population of Tamilnadu constitutes 35% of the state population under 37 different associations. They are brought together under one federation under his leadership. The grievances of Telugu people have been ventilated in the big conference of 10 lakh Telugu people held in Chennai in 1990 under his leadership. In 1992 a huge gathering of Tamil Nadu ‘Kamma Naidu Mahajana Sangam’ was held at Kovilpatti. In 2001, March (05-03-2001) another big rally followed by a large conference was held at Seerani Arangam, on the sands of Marina, Chennai. 

He was chosen as founder president of the World Telugu Federation and inaugurated the world convention and 9th TANA conference from 15th July 1993 in U.S.A. On 5th March 2001, he led a great procession of the Tamil Nadu Telugu Federation and held an eye opening conference at Marina, Chennai. His Service is well recognized and he has been known as the Chairman of All India Kamma Naidu Federation associating all Kamma Naidu Sangams.

State President : Tamilnadu United Naidugal Association.
                   

***********************************

Dr.V.GENGUSWAMY NAIDU Schools List
Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation Higher Secondary School
28-A, Chittoor Road,
Tiruttani - 631 209.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Bangaramman Kandigai,
Tiruttani road, Arakonam - 631 003.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Othakkal Mandapam, 
Pollachi Road, Coimbatore

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation School
Thayumanava Chetty Street, 
Ponneri - 601 204.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation School
Kancheepuram Road, 
Cheyur - 604 407.

Dr. V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation School
106, Car Street, 
Maduantakam - 603 306.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation School
Ponnai, Ponnai & Post,
Walaja Taluk, Vellore District - 632 514.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation School
15,Arani Road, Sankaranpalayam, 
Vellore - 632 001.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation School
Kalavai, Kalavai Post, 
Arcot Taluk, Vellore District - 632 506.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation School
Melattur, Melattur Post, Papanasam Taluk, 
Thanjavur District - 614 301.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation School
Thiruvengadam & Post, 
Thirunelveli District - 627 719

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation School
Thottiyam & Post, 
Trichy District - 621 215.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Matriculation School
Thandrambut Road,
Thiruvannamalai.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
86, T.K.Nambi Street, 
Kancheepuram - 631 503.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Kothur, Kothur post, 
Oomerabad Via, Vellore

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Gudipalli Village, Sempalli Post, 
Gudiyattam Taluk, Vellore - 632 601.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Kollapuram, Murasalapalli Post, 
Peranambut, Vellore - 635 810.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Karumbur, Thuthipet Post, 
Vellore District - 635 811.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Nandivaram, Guduvancheri - 603 202. 
Kancheepuram District

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and Primary School
Vishnuvakkam Village, Kilanoor Post, 
Tiruvallur District - 602 021

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Sakkaramallur Post, Arcot Taluk, 
Vellore District.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
No.6, M.P.S.Salai, 
Tirutanni - 631 209.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Pilikkalpalayam & Post (Via) Jedarpalayam, 
Paramathy, Vellore Taluk, Namakkal District - 637 213

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Mullaivadi Post, Athur Taluk, 
Salem District - 636 102.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
71, Uppilipalayam Main Road, 
Varadarajapuram, Coimbatore - 641 015.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Pattinam & Post, (Via) Ondipudur,
Coimbatore - 641016.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Nehru Nagar, Kalapatti Main Road, 
Aerodrome, Coimbatore - 641 016.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery & primary school
Vaiyampatti & Post, Mannapparai Taluk,
Karur District - 621 315.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and primary school
Tharangampatti Village & Post, 
Kulithalai Taluk - 621 315. Vaiyampatti (Via)

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and Primary School
Thambi Pettai, T.Palayam Post,
Kullanchavadi Via, Cuddalore District - 607 301.

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and Primary School
Vijayapuram, 3/121,Main Road, 
Kalayamputhur Post - 624 613. Palani Taluk

Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu Nursery and Primary School
Kandivakkam, Edayar Pakkam Post, 
Sriperumbudur Taluk

ITI
Dr.V.Gengusamy Naidu I.T.I
Pallipet, Periyarkurichi, 

Neyveli.

Padmabhushan Dr.R.V Perumal (Former Director ISRO)

Dr.Ramanujam Varatharaja Perumal (A Kamma, Native of Tuticorin District - Tamilnadu) was a well known aeronautical scientist of India. For 36 years he worked with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in design, development of launch vehicle hardware, project management, launch operations including two years as Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Center. He did his M.E in Aircraft Structures (1965-67) from the Indian Institute of Science, Department of Aeronautics - Bangalore. R V Perumal  He was a Director at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was responsible for the flight integration and launch operations of the first three PSLV flights. From 1996 to 2001, he was Project Director of the Geo-Synchronous Launch Vehicle Programme (GSLV) Trivandrum. Perumal was a pioneer in the development and assembly of the Geo-Synchronous LaunchVehicle. .From May 2001 he has been the Associate Director (Projects), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, 

He was awarded Padma Bhushan by Government of India in 2002.

G R Damodaran: Educationist and Parliamentarian

Prof. G R Damodaran (20 February 1914–1986) was an educationist, an administrator and founder of The GRD Trust in Coimbatore. He was the founder of PSG College of Technology and founder principal of PSG College of Arts and Science. Dr. G R Damodaran held numerous positions of leadership and had served education in a wide range of field and sectors. He was the Chairman of the Southern Regional Committee of the AICTE. He was the Chairman of the Govt. of India's High Power Committee on the Reorganisation of Polytechnic Education (1969–1970). He was the Vice-Chancellor of the Madras University. He served as a Member of Parliament and of the Legislative Council of Tamil Nadu.

Early life and education

Prof.G R Damodaran was born to Divan Bahadur P S G Rangaswamy Naidu and Krishnammal on 20 February 1914. His early schooling began in an elementary school in Peelamedu, later he continued his education in Sarvajana High School, established by the PSG Charity Trust. His Intermediate Studies was at Government Arts College, Coimbatore in Mathematics. He completed B.Sc(Electrical Engineering) and B.Sc(Mechanical Engineering) in King's College, New Castle on Tyne, United Kingdom.

Career

In the year 1943, Damodaran joined the PSG Industrial Institute. In 1948, he started a Tamil Monthly Magazine "KALAIKATHIR", devoted to Science and Technology. It installed Heidelberg Printing Machine and Computerized Photo typesetting machine. He was the founder of PSG College of Technology and founder principal of PSG College of Arts and Science.

He served UNESCO International Committee on training abroad policies, the All India Council for Technical Education, National Council for Vocational Trades and the All India Board of Technicians Education.

He was a member of the Syndicate of the Madras University for 33 years during which time he introduced far reaching changes in the Engineering curriculum.

His unswerving commitment to the cause of the rural and urban masses through the NSS and Social Service League which he founded was something laudable.

In 1952, he served as a Member of Parliament in Pollachi Lok Sabha constituency. He was elected to the Legislative Council of Tamil Nadu from the Teachers Constituency and once from the Graduate Constituency. In 1955, he organized Adult Literacy Workshop at Coimbatore. His stint in politics brought him close to stalwarts like K. Kamaraj, C. Subramanian, R. Venkataraman, Dr. V K R V Rao, Prof. N G Ranga, T T Krishnamachari, Dr. Triguna Sen and others.

Vision

Dr G R Damodaran, believed education as the better means for securing the nation's economic future and social well-being, He often defined and addressed Education as :- "Education deals with the human growth in mind, spirit, character and effective behavior. The habits and attitudes a student acquires, the interest that cultivates, the ideals that is learned to practice - All these becomes the basic for an individual's future growth and the basics to the prosperity of our Nation". It is taken as the guiding principle of Dr G R Damodaran College of Science, a college posthumously established in 1988 to honour Dr. G. R. Damodaran.

Contributions

The English books titled "The Teacher in You" and "Evaluation and Grading" were written by him.

He also wrote a Tamil book titled "Electron".

His speeches made on various occasions were published in the form of a book titled "Listen to a Leader in Education".

He also contributed a dictionary of Technical Terms which was translated from English to Tamil, "Kalaichol Agarathi".

S Alagarsamy 5 times MLA from Kovilpatti

S. Alagarsamy (August 1926 – 6 March 2009) was an Indian politician and was elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly for 5 terms from 1967 to 1991 to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly as an Communist Party of India candidate from Kovilpatti constituency in 1967, 1971, 1977, 1980 and 1989 elections.

He was born on 5 August 1926 to A. Soliah and S.Koppammal in a village Ramanoothu, Tuticorin Dist, Tamil Nadu. Having lost his father at the age of 13, he had to take on the responsibilities of taking care of their agricultural farming. He and his younger brother S.Ramasamy were brought up by their widowed mother and aunt.

He first contested for Madras State Assembly in 1957 and continued to contest in all subsequent State General Assembly Elections till 1989 from Kovilpatti constituency Prior to that he contested for Unified Tirunelveli Jilla Board in 1952.

The then unified Tirunelveli district consisted of the present Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Kannayakumari Districts and part of Malabar and Ramnad District. He was leader of the CPI Legislative Group from 1971 till 1991 in The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

Thiru C.N.Annadurai was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, when he was the Member of the Legislative Assembly in 1967 and subsequently he continued to be M.L.A, when Thiru V.R. Nedunchezhiyan, Thiru. M. Karunanidhi and Thiru M. G. Ramachandran, were the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. He was well respected by the all Chief Ministers and other political leaders across party lines.

He was affectionatlely called “ Annachi “  by his thousands of followers and others . He gained respect and great loyal following due to his leadership,honesty, simplicity, loyalty, hardwork, and openness. These qualities enabled him to win the Assembly Election continuously irespective of the political waves.

He held various public offices in Kovilpatti Taluk for many years- President of Ramanoothu Village, Elementary School Management Board President, Milk Society and Housing Society President, Marketing Society President . He also served as board of Director in various co-operative organisations and banks. He was member of District Development Council for Tirunelveli and Tuticorin Districts. He was heading Tamil Nadu Kishan Sabha organisation and Vice President of All India Kishan Sabha . Leader of Tamil Nadu State Assembly CPI Group. He served in various Tamil Nadu Government Legislative Committees. He served as State Executive Committee Member and State Control Committee President of Communist Party of India.

Namboori K Govindaswamy Naidu: An industrialist and philanthropist from Coimbatore

Annur Annadhana Vallal Dharmaveera Namboorar Sri K Govindaswamy Naidu (12 July 1907 - 28 January 1995), popularly known as KG, was an industrialist and philanthropist from Coimbatore, in Tamil Nadu, in South India.

Annur Dharmaveera Namboorar Sri K Govindaswamy Naidu was born to an agricultural family. His formative years were difficult, and he had very little formal education. For a while, he worked with his father who was a highway contractor. He started his own business before he was twenty years old, after gaining experience in a grocery shop as an assistant.

In 1932, KG started his first ginning factory. Over the next six decades, his industrial ventures were in cotton ginning and spinning, weaving denim fabrics, manufacturing terry towels, castings, motor pumpsets and entertainment with an asset base of Rs.2 billion and sales of Rs. 3 billion, of which more than 25% came from exports. He believed in modern technology and set high standards in the business practices and for products manufactured. Revival of sick units was one of his business strategies. To create employment in rural areas, he located all his factories in villages, away from the urban areas. He insisted on employing women wherever possible.

KG was a proponent of such ideals as vegetarianism, teetotalism, piety, simple living and punctuality. He was an early riser who believed that hardwork and discipline helped achieve whatever goals you set in business. His favourite deity was Palani Sri Dhandayudapani Swamy, who he believed to be the source of all his achievements.

KG donated generously to a number of causes: religious, educational, medical service, social services, and poverty alleviation. Among his good works are six schools, a hospital with 300 beds, and scores of temples. Annandhanam – serving food - was his favorite act of service. He donated to mosques and churches also. He believed that he was only an instrument in the hands of Muruga in his service to humanity.

In recognition of KG's philanthropy, Saravanampatti Adheenam bestowed the title "Annadhana Vallal" on him. Poojya Sri Mahasannidhanam Sri Sri Abhinava Vidya Teertha Mahaswamigal of Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, bestowed the title "Dharmaveera" on KG for his contributions to religious activities, including the funding and construction of the Sharadambal temple (1979) at Race Course, Coimbatore.

The Department of Posts, part of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India, released a special postal cover of K Govindaswamy Naidu in commemoration of the centenary celebrations at a function in his hometown, Annur on 18 July 2009.

P. Seenivasan 3 times MLA, Speaker Tamilnadu Assembly (defeted Kamaraj Nadar)

Mr. Seenivasan, who was a student leader in 1967, at the age of 25 he contested from the Virudhunagar constituency on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ticket and defeated Congress stalwart K. Kamaraj Nadar by a margin of 1,285 votes.

Born at Appaiya Naickerpatti near Srivilliputtur [now in Virudhunagar district], Mr Seenivasan had his education in Madurai and Madras. He took part in the anti-Hindi agitations in the 1960s and was arrested thrice. He was again elected from Virudhunagar in 1971. Mr. Seenivasan later became the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. He served as the Deputy Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 24th March 1971 to 9th March 1974 (He performed the duties of Speaker from 2nd December 1972 to 3rd August 1973). He was again elected to the Tamil Nadu assembly in 1989, defeating  Ayyappan, father of famous actress Sridevi.

On both occasions, he was in the DMK.Mr. Seenivasan was in the Congress for a brief period. At the time of death, he was in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. 

A leading light of the anti-Hindi agitation that rocked the state in 1965, Srinivasan emerged as a giant killer when he defeated late K Kamaraj in his home turf of Virudunagar in the 1967 assembly lections in Tamil Nadu, which saw the end of Congress rule in the state.As a student leader, he spearheaded the anti-Hindi agitation in which several people were killed in police firing. He became deputy speaker of the assembly in 1971.

List of Kamma Ministers in Tamilnadu Assembly

T.K.M. Chinnayya (MLA - Tambaran)
Minister for Animal Husbandry











B.V. Ramana (MLA - Tiruvallur)
Minister for Milk and Dairy Development












R.Manoharan (MLA - Tiruchirappalli (East))
Chief  Whip (TN Government) 

N.R.Thiagarajan (NRT): Freedom Fighter, Parliamentarian, MLA, MLA, CLP leader in Madras Assembly.

N.R. THIAGARAJAN (1913 - 1969) 

NRT was a freedom fighter, architect of development of Madurai, Parliamentarian, builder of the Congress Party and Man Friday of Sri. Kamaraj.  

He was born on 16th April 1913, as the fourth child of Rathnasamy Naidu and Venkatammal in Karisalpatti Village.  He had his education in his native village and he was drawn to national movement at a very young age.  He was the key organizer of civil disobedience movement and quit India movement in the Madurai district. He was imprisoned many times and spent about 51/4 years in Vellore, Alipuram and Tirunelveli prisons. He launched movements for boycott of foreign goods and promotion of swadeshi goods.

At the young age of fourteen N.R. Thiagarajan joined in National movement and Congress Party. He started his political carrier as the president of the village Congress Committee of his native village Lakshmipuram Pudupatty.  Latter he became Taluk Congress Committee secretary of Periyakulam.  In 1946 he became the president of Madurai District Congress Committee president. NRT was the key person of all the political activities of Madurai.  He was a very powerful orator and he could inspire thousands of youths in freedom movement and Congress party. He was responsible for building Congress from the Grassroots in Madurai District. 

He had close association with Periyar. He organized Temple entry of Harijan in many Temples of Periyakulam Taluk. NRT was a great social reformer and worked for the emancipation of Dalith and women. Sri. P. Kakan a great freedom fighter and minister from the Dalit Community was a close friend and Associate of N.R.T. 

After India’s independence he was elected as the first President of the prestigious Madurai District board in 1949.  He was the president from 1949 to 1954.  Madurai District was one of the biggest districts of Tamilnadu consisting of present Madurai, Theni and Dindugul Districts.  During this period he could develop a five year plan for the development of Madurai District.  His focus was on primary education, primary health, rural housing, linkage roads to rural areas, drinking  water supply, irrigation works for agricultural development and industrial development.  He laid the foundation for the industrialization of Madurai.  Then chief ministers of Tamilnadu Rajaji, Kamaraj and Kumarasami Raja gave whole hearted support for his efforts to develop Madurai region.  

As the president of the District he gave importance to education.  He had a vision to start schools colleges and an university in Madurai District.  As the District Board President he could start about 500 primary schools and 32 high schools in remote areas of Madurai District.  The first Rural Arts and Science College in a remote village of southern TamilNadu was started in Uthamapalayam because of his tireless efforts in 1956. He started about 16 primary health centers and maternity centers in Madurai District. 

Because of his initiatives industrial estates were started in Madurai,  Theni, Dindugul and Palani. Theni, his native town had very positive features for textile industry and cotton cultivation.  Because of his efforts, an irrigation scheme was implemented to irrigate above 12000 acres of dry land with Vaigai river water in Theni region.  It helped the farmers to cultivate cotton in large areas. He invited Sri Jawaharlal Nehru to inaugurate the first textile mill in Theni in the year 1962.  Because of NRTs efforts now the region has emerged as one of the textile hubs of south India. 

As the District Board President immediately after independence he took extraordinary efforts to provide transport facilities to the villages of Madurai district.  N.R.Thiagarajan was a great parliamentarian.  He served in the Assembly and Council of Madras Legislature.  He was known for his oratory skills in the legislature. He was the leader of the Congress Party in the Legislative Council of TamilNadu Assembly between 1964 to 1969.  He was the opposition party leader in the Legislative Council, when DMK came to power from 1967 to 1969.  He was an active member of the Madras Assembly between 1957 to 1962.  He asked the highest number of questions in the assembly and made assembly sessions very productive.  He was responsible for the establishment of university in Madurai and he actively worked for the selection of the site for the university and its inauguration.  The governor of TamilNadu nominated him as a member of the first senate of Madurai University. 

As the District Board President, he had a vision to build a dam in the vaigai river to develop agriculture in the dry regions of Madurai District.  He impressed Kamaraj on the benefits of constructing a dam in Vaigai river in Madurai District.  About 40000 Acres have got irrigation facilities from the Vaigai dam. In 1950’s there were no medical college in the state outside Chennai. As the president of the District Board he sent a proposal for starting a Government Medical College in Madurai and he allotted the District Board land to the construction of Madurai Medical College.  Now the Madurai Medical College has been upgraded in to an all India institute serving around 12 Districts of south Tamilnadu.

He had a close and special relationship with Sri. K. Kamaraj.  Like Kamaraj, NRT was also started as a humble grass root worker. NRT was the right hand of Kamaraj in politics and he could translate the ideas of Kamaraj in to reality.  NRT was the member of the TamilNadu Congress Working Committee for more than twenty years. As the president of District Panchayat he regularly visited hundreds of village panchayats and closely studied their issues and problems. Local Body leaders of Madurai District elected him to Legislative council of Madras as their representative in 1964. 

NRT was a great Gandhian and he was actively involved in Gandhian movement.  He was the President of Madurai District  Bhoodhan Movement and helped Acharya Vinobha to collect 4,000 acres of land for Bhoodham.  He personally participated in the Pathayathra of Vinobha.  He also donated his personal land for bhoodhan.

NRT tirelessly worked for the people and the nation upto his last day.  He died in the year 1969 at the young age of 56.  He is still remember for his contribution for the development of Madurai, Dindugul and Theni Districts. Government of Tamilnadu honoured him by naming the district hospital in Theni as N.R.Thiagarajan Memorial District Hospital.

Rajshree Pathy to head CII southern region

CHENNAI, MARCH 18:  Rajshree Pathy, Chairman & Managing Director, Rajshree Sugars & Chemicals Ltd, Coimbatore, has been elected as the Chairperson of CII Southern Region, and Ramesh Datla, Chairman and Managing Director, ELICO Ltd, Hyderabad, has been elected as Deputy Chairman of CII Southern Region for the year 2015-16.

The nominations were made at the first meeting of the reconstituted Southern Regional Council held in Chennai on Wednesday.

Pathy has been closely associated with CII and was the Deputy Chairperson of CII Southern Region during 2014-15. She was the past Chairperson of Agriculture Sub-Committee of CII Southern Region during 2010-11. She was also the past Chairperson CII Tamil Nadu State Council during 1998-99, according to a statement from CII. A commerce graduate, she completed an Executive Education Programme (OPM) from Harvard Business School and certified in Strategic Alliances and Corporate Ethics at INSEAD.

Munu Adhi: Former Speaker Tamilnadu Assembly and 4 times MLA

Munu Adhi (Born 4 September 1926, Died 21 June 2005) born at Tambaram near Chennai - Tamilnadu. 

Mr Munu Adhi started his political career as a member of the Socialist Party in 1945. He joined the DMK in 1953 and was elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly for four consecutive terms, in 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1977. 

Having begun his political career with the DMK, the four-time Member of the Legislative Assembly, switched his loyalty to the AIADMK in 1972 when M G Ramachandran founded the party, after breaking away from the DMK. 

For the fourth time, he was elected to the state Assembly in 1977 when the AIADMK, headed by MGR, came to power for the first time and Munu Adhi was made the Speaker of the Assembly. He held that post till 1980.

He continued his loyalty with the AIADMK till 1996 after which he sided with S Thirunavukkarasu, a former AIADMK minister, who floated his own party which subsequently merged with the BJP. 

The Adhi College of Engineering & Technology was established in the year 2008 on the name of former MLA and Speaker Mr. Adhi. The college is founded by the Chandra Munu Adhi Foundation. 

Political career:

1962 MLA Saidapet Constituency Tamilnadu Assembly

1967 MLA Thirupur Constituency Tamilnadu Assembly

1967 Tambaram Municipal Chairman

1971 MLA Thirupur Constituency Tamilnadu Assembly

1977 MLA Tambaram Constituency Tamilnadu Assembly

1977 to 1980 Speaker Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly

1981 to 1988 Chairman Tamilnadu Agricultural High Level Committee

Justice K.Veeraswamy: Fromer Chief Justice Madras High Court

Justice Kuppuswami Naidu Veeraswamy (Kuppuswami Naidu Veeraswami) was Chief Justice of Madras High Court from 01-05-1969 to 11-03-1976

Born at Srivilliputtur, on April 8, 1914 of respectable parents belonging to a middle class family, the Hon’ble Chief Justice K.Veeraswami had his early education at Sriviliputtur and Devakottai and graduated from the American College at Madurai, with high distinctions in 1937. He took his degree in Law in 1939 from the Law College, Madras. He was an apprentice to Mr.K.Rajah Ayyar, the then Advocate General and after enrolment as an Advocate of the Madras High Court in 1941, he served as his junior till 1950.

He was appointed as the Government Pleader of Madras High Court and in February, 1960 he was elevated as a permanent Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Madras and ha been elevated to be the permanent Chief Justice of Madras High Court from May 1, 1969.

The Then Chief Justice K.Veeraswami was a strict disciplinarian as a Lawyer, Law Officer, Judge and Chief Justice. He maintained the highest dignity and decorum. He was hailed both by the Bar and the Bench for his deep and versatile knowledge of law and he distinguished himself by his forensic ability upright advocacy and objective perspective.