Page 54 - NIS English 1-15 September 24

Personality Chidambaram Pillai
ersonality
P

Chidambaram Pillai

Fought the freedom

struggle, made the Swadeshi

movement popular

BORN: 5 SEPTEMBER 1872 | DIED: 18 NOVEMBER 1936

VO Chidambaram Pillai, a visionary leader who contributed to the country's freedom struggle,
was a strong advocate of the Swadeshi movement in South India. He played a pivotal role in
India's freedom movement and always emphasized economic progress and self-reliance. He
envisioned a self-reliant India and contributed significantly to this cause, especially in the port
and shipping sectors. He also worked tirelessly to advance the interests of the working class in
Tamil Nadu. He is still a source of inspiration for the nation and his ideals motivate us...

reedom fighter Vallinayagam Olaganathan Later he came in contact with Subramania
FChidambaram Pillai (VO Chidambaram Pillai) Bharati. It is believed that even before Gandhiji's
was born on September 5, 1872 in Ottapidaram Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Chidambaram
in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. His father's Pillai had raised the issue of the working class
name was Ulaganathan Pillai and his mother's in Tamil Nadu. Chidambaram Pillai, along with
name was Parami Ammai. His father was a lawyer. other leaders, had resolved to take out a huge
Chidambaram Pillai graduated from Caldwell procession on the morning of March 9, 1908, to
College, Tuticorin. He also worked as a clerk in the celebrate the release of Bipin Chandra Pal from
taluk office for some time before starting to study jail. Alarmed by Pillai's challenges, the British put
law. Later, he chose the path of service, keeping in him in jail and tortured him a lot. He was made to
mind the values he had received from his parents. work in the mine and it is also said that he was
Chidambaram Pillai entered politics after the yoked in place of an ox in an oil press.
partition of Bengal in 1905. At the end of the year Poverty never became an obstacle in Pillai's
1905, Chidambaram Pillai visited Madras and path to doing work for national welfare.
joined the Swadeshi movement started by Bal The correspondence between Gandhiji and
Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai. It is said Chidambaram Pillai during the year 1915-16 is
that Chidambaram Pillai was a freedom fighter proof of his unwavering patriotism. Not only
who learned the lessons of politics from Bal this, he also had a keen interest in writing. He
Gangadhar Tilak. He is also called 'Tilak of Tamil authored many books including Meyyaram
Nadu' in the history of India. Pillai, known as (1914), Meyyarivu (1915), Anthology (1915),
'V.O.C' and 'Kappalottiya Tamilan', was attracted Autobiography (1946). Chidambaram Pillai
to the Ramakrishna Mission. He started spreading died on November 18, 1936. Paying tribute to
its thoughts throughout the region by forming him on his birth anniversary on 5 September
'Swadeshi Prachar Sabha'. Along with this, he 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "He
established Madras Agro Indian Society Limited made a significant contribution to our freedom
for weavers and artisans. He also started a movement. He also envisioned a self-reliant India.
Swadeshi bank named 'Paisa Fund' and Swadeshi For this, he made significant efforts in the ports
Steam Navigation Company, which caused huge and shipping sectors. He is a special source of
losses to the British. inspiration for us." n

52 New India Samachar September 1-15, 2024