Page 8 - NIS English 01-15 July,2023

Personality K Kamaraj

K KAMARAJ:

INDELIBLE CONTRIBUTION

TO THE FREEDOM

STRUGGLE

BORN: 15 JULY 1903 | DIED: 2 OCTOBER 1975

Renowned freedom fighter and politician K Kamaraj dedicated his life to national
development and social empowerment. His emphasis on education, health care, and
women's empowerment continues to inspire the people of India. He was posthumously
awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1976 in recognition of his services to the nation.
K
Kamaraj was born on 15 July 1903 in
Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. His full name was
Kumaraswamy Kamaraj but later he came to be
K Kamaraj made an indelible contribution to
known as Kamaraj only among the people. His father India's freedom struggle and earned himself a
passed away when he was six years old. He left school reputation as a compassionate administrator.
early to help his mother. He started participating in He worked hard to reduce poverty and human
the national movement from an early age. After the suffering. He also focused on improving health
Jallianwala Bagh massacre, he resolved to fight for and education.
the freedom of the nation. - Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
A few years after this incident, he met Mahatma
Gandhi in Madurai, after which his life changed. When
Mahatma Gandhi called for the non-cooperation
movement, he went from village to village and Minister, he played an important role in industrial
propagated it. He raised funds for the movement and and educational development in the state. He
took a leading role in organizing meetings. He also implemented the mid-day meal scheme in government
participated in the Salt Satyagraha for which he had schools to improve enrolment and opened thousands
to go to jail. Kamaraj went to jail 6 times during the of new schools across the state. Apart from this, he
freedom movement. He spent more than 3 thousand also constructed many reservoirs. In recognition
days in jail. He campaigned against the raising of war of his services to the nation, he was posthumously
aid funds by the then Governor of Madras, Sir Arthur awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1976. A postage stamp
Hope, during World War II. In 1942, Kamaraj attended has also been issued by the Government of India in
the meeting of the All India Congress Committee in his memory. K Kamaraj died on 2 October 1975.
Bombay and spread the message of the Quit India The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Movement to the people. He was also a member of unveiled a bust of K Kamaraj on 15 July 1998 at the
the Indian Constituent Assembly. entrance to the outer lobby of the Lok Sabha. At the
K Kamaraj became the Chief Minister of Tamil same time, in his address on 13 April 2023 at the
Nadu in 1954 and held the post for 9 years. He Tamil New Year celebrations in Delhi, Prime Minister
represented the Virudhunagar and Gudiyatham seats Narendra Modi remembered K Kamaraj and said, "We
in the Legislative Assembly and the Virudhunagar and still remember K Kamaraj and his work related to
Nagercoil constituencies in the Parliament. As Chief social welfare."

6 New India Samachar July 1-15, 2023