Profile and Life History of K. Kamarajar

Former Chief Minister of TamilNadu, Activist and Politician

Birth

Kamarajar was born on 15 July1903 to Kumarasami Nadar and Sivakami Ammal in Virudhunagar of TamilNadu.

School life

He was registered in a traditional school in 1907 and in the following year he went to Yenadhi Narayana Vidhya Salai. Later in 1909, he was admitted in Virudupatti High School from which he dropped out in the year 1914 to assist his mother.

What made Kamarajar to begin his political career?

Kamaraj had the habit of reading newspapers that turned his focus towards the political conditions. The news of Jallianwala Bagh massacre was the turning point that ignited him to fight for Independence to make an end for the foreign rule.

Political life

He joined the Congress as a party worker in the year 1920 at his 18^th age from which he became active in politics. In the following year, he organized the public meetings of Congress leaders in Virudhunagar.  In the same, he met Mahatma Gandhi for the first time.

During the year 1923-1925, he took part in the Nagpur Flag Satyagraha.  Then he started the Sword Satyagraha at Madras in the year 1927 and was selected to persuade the Neil Statue Satyagraha that was later withdrawn due to Simon Commission boycott. During 1930, Kamrajar was imprisoned and held in jail for two years for the participation in the “Salt Satyagraha”.

Kamrajar in TamilNadu Politics

In the 1937 election, Kamrajar won the Sattur seat and stepped into the Assembly at the age of 34. He was arrested below the Defence of India rules for speeches in Guntur and sent to prison. At this period, he was on his way to avail Gandhi’s approval for Satyagrahis list. Later on 13April 1954, he became the Chief Minister of Madras Province.

Kamrajar Achievements

• In 1959, Kamrajar and Bishnuram Medhi(Governor) showed dedication to setup IIT, Madras.
• During his rule, many dams and water feeding canals were erected across the water sources such as Mani Muthar, Aarani vaigai, higher Bhavani, Pullambadi, Sathanur, Amravathi, Neyyaru and Parambikulam.
• He held the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu for three times during the periods 1954-1957, 1957- 1962 and 1962-1963.

Kamarajar as a Congress leader

• In 1963, he only recommended to Nehru that the senior Congress leaders must resign ministerial posts to take charge of the organizational work. This suggestion was called as Kamaraj Plan.
•  During the same year, he was elected as the President of INC (Indian National Congress) on 9^th October.
• He successfully led the party during the tough times.
• Following the death of Nehru in 1964, when there was an urge to choose the Prime Minister, Kamrajar refused to become the next Prime Minister.
• But he was the king maker to bring in two Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri(in 1964) and Indira Gandhi(in 1966).

Kamarajar Personal life

He was not married and did not buy any property. Even at the time of his death, he left none of the huge property other than 130 rupees and few books.

Awards

Kamarajar received Copper Bond Award in 1972 and Bharat Ratna in 1976.

Death

On 2^nd October 1975, Kamarajar made his last breathe at his home and died at the age of 72 in his sleep.