K.

KAMARAJ

Kumarasami Kamaraj , better known as K. Kamaraj, 15 July 1903 – 2 October 1975) was
an Indian politician from Tamil Nadu widely acknowledged as the "Kingmaker" in Indian
politics during the 1960s. He was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu during 1954–1963 and a
Member of Parliament during 1952–1954 and 1969–1975. He was known for his simplicity and
integrity.

He was involved in the Indian independence movement. As a high-ranking office bearer

of the Indian National Congress, he was instrumental in bringing to power two Prime Ministers,
Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1964 and Indira Gandhi in 1966. In Tamil Nadu, his home state, he is still
remembered for bringing school education to millions of the rural poor by introducing free
education and the free Midday Meal Scheme during his tenure as chief minister. He was awarded
India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, posthumously in 1976. The domestic terminal
of the Chennai airport is named "Kamaraj Terminal", Chennai's Beach Road renamed
"Kamarajar Salai", Bengaluru's North Parade Road as "K. Kamaraj Rd." and the Madurai
Kamaraj University in his honour.

Early life

Kamaraj was born on 15 July, 1903 to Kumarasamy Nadar and Sivakami Ammal at
Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu. His real name was Kamakshi and his mother affectionately called
him Raja; later his name became Kamaraj. His parents were from a trading family. His father
Kumarasamy Nadar was a coconut merchant. In 1907, four years after the birth of Kamaraj, his
sister Nagammal was born. At age 5 (1907), Kamaraj was admitted to a traditional school (called
'Thinnai Palli' in Tamil, a system of school available in the past) on the next day of "Saraswathy
Pooja". In 1908 he was admitted to Yenadhi Narayana Vidhya Salai. In 1909 Kamaraj was
admitted in Virudupatti High School—Kshtriya Vidhyasala, which is the only high school in
Virdhupatti. Kamaraj's father died when he was six years old and his mother was forced to
support her family by selling her jewellery. In 1914 Kamaraj dropped out of school to support
his family. After that he worked in his uncle's clothshop as a salesboy.

Politics

On 13 April, 1954 K. Kamaraj became the Chief Minister of Madras Province. To

everyone's surprise, Kamaraj nominated C. Subramaniam and M. Bhakthavatsalam, who had
contested his leadership, to the newly formed cabinet. Never did Kamaraj aspire for any post in
the party or in the administration; for him the posts were like a towel over the shoulder. Without
any hesitation he chose to quit posts for the benefit of future generations.
Education

As Chief Minister, Kamaraj removed the family vocation based Hereditary Education
Policy introduced by Rajaji. The State made immense strides in education and trade. New
schools were opened, so that poor rural students were to walk no more than 3 miles (4.8 km) to
their nearest school. Better facilities were added to existing ones. No village remained without a
primary school and no panchayat without a high school. Kamaraj strove to eradicate illiteracy by
introducing free and compulsory education up to the eleventh standard. He introduced the
Midday Meal Scheme to provide at least one meal per day to the lakhs of poor school children
(for the first time in the world). He introduced free school uniforms to weed out caste, creed and
class distinctions among young minds.

Kamaraj Statue in Marina Beach, Chennai depicting his contribution to education in the state

Agriculture

Major irrigation schemes were planned in Kamaraj's period. Dams and irrigation canals
were built across Lower Bhavani, Mani Muthar, Aarani, Vaigai, Amaravathi, Sathanur,
Krishnagiri, Pullambadi, Parambikulam and Neyyaru among others. The Lower Bhavani Dam in
Erode district brought 207,000 acres of land under cultivation. 45,000 acres of land benefited
from canals constructed from the Mettur Dam. The Vaigai and Sathanur systems facilitated
cultivation across thousands of acres of lands in Madurai and North Arcot districts respectively.
Rs 30 crores were planned to be spent for Parambikulam River scheme, and 150 lakhs of acres of
lands were brought under cultivation; one third of this (i.e. 56 lakhs of acres of land) received a
permanent irrigation facility.

In 1957–61 1,628 tanks were de-silted under the Small Irrigation Scheme, and 2,000 wells were
dug with outlets. Long term loans with 25% subsidy were given to farmers. In addition farmers
who had dry lands were given oil engines and electric pump sets on an instalment basis.

Commerce and Industry

Industries with huge investments in crores of Rupees were started in his period: Neyveli
Lignite Corporation, BHEL at Trichy, Manali Oil Refinery, Hindustan raw photo film factory at
Ooty, surgical instruments factory at Chennai, and a railway coach factory at Chennai were
established. Industries such as paper, sugar, chemicals and cement took off during the period.

Death

Kamaraj memorial in Chennai

Kamaraj died at his home on 2 October, 1975. He was awarded India's highest civilian honour,
the 'Bharat Ratna' posthumously in 1976.