Freedom Fighters from Tamil Nadu Part – 07
32. Venni Kaladi
Early Life and Background
- Venni Kaladi, also known as "Periya Kaladi," was an 18th-century general and valiant warrior.
- He served under Poolithevan, the administrative and military governor of Nerkattumseval, located in the Sankarankoil taluk of modern-day Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu.
- During this period, the region was under threat from British colonial forces seeking to expand their control over indigenous Tamil lands.
Role in Resistance Against British Occupation
- Khan Sahib was a title given to Mohammad Yousuf Khan, who played a significant role in the British efforts to dominate the region.
- Yousuf Khan had previously faced defeat in the battle of Vasudevanallur but resumed his efforts to extend British occupation.
Heroic Battle and Martyrdom
- In a fierce battle characterized by close-quarter combat, Venni Kaladi demonstrated extraordinary bravery.
- During the fight, his abdomen was severely cut open.
- Determined to continue the battle, he tore cloth from his headwear and wrapped it around his abdomen to stem the bleeding.
- Despite his grave injury, Venni Kaladi continued to fight valiantly.
Victory and Ultimate Sacrifice
- After securing victory in the battle, Venni Kaladi delivered the news of their success to his king, Poolithevan.
- However, his injuries were too severe, and he died on the lap of his king, having fought to his last breath for the freedom of his land.
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33. J. Shivashanmugam Pillai
Early Life and Education
- Jagannathan Shivashanmugam was born on 24 February 1901 in Madras.
- He completed his schooling in Madras and pursued higher education at Loyola College, Chennai.
- He later earned his master's degree from Madras University.
Political Career
- Shivashanmugam Pillai was a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress and made significant contributions to Indian politics:
- Mayor of Madras:
- In 1938, he became the first Scheduled Caste mayor of Madras.
- Speaker of the Madras Legislative Assembly:
- After India's independence, Shivashanmugam was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1951.
- He was nominated as the first Speaker of the Assembly, serving from 1951 to 1955.
- Union Public Service Commission:
- From 1955 to 1961, Shivashanmugam served on the Union Public Service Commission, which is responsible for overseeing the recruitment and appointment of civil servants.
- Rajya Sabha:
- In 1962, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, where he served until 1968.
Publications
- Shivashanmugam Pillai was also a writer and published several works:
- History of the Adi Dravidas.
- The Life, Select Writings and Speeches of Rao Bahadur M. C. Rajah (1930), co-authored with M. C. Rajah.
- Legislative Protection of Cultivating Tenant Labourers.
Death
- J. Shivashanmugam Pillai passed away on 17 February 1975 at the age of 73.
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34. P. Subbarayan
Early Life and Education
- Date of Birth: September 11, 1889.
- Place of Birth: Near Tiruchengode, Namakkal district.
- Family Background: Belonged to a zamindari family.
Education:
- He got graduated from Madras Presidency College.
- He obtained a Master of Arts from Christ Church College, Oxford.
- He earned a Doctor of Laws (LLD) from the University of Dublin.
Legal Career
- Law Practice: Started practicing law at the Madras High Court in 1918.
Political Career
- Affiliation: Indian National Congress.
- Joining the Congress: He became a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and joined the Indian National Congress in 1933.
Ministerial Role:
- He was appointed Minister of Law and Education in 1937 by Rajaji, who was the Chief Minister of the Madras Presidency.
Participation in the Quit India Movement:
- Actively participated in the Quit India Movement.
- He was arrested along with Congress leaders Satyamurthy and M. Bhaktavatsalam.
Post-Independence Contributions
- Constituent Assembly: He was member of the Constituent Assembly of India in 1947.
- Diplomatic Role: He served as India's first Ambassador to Indonesia from 1949 to 1951.
- Rajya Sabha Membership: He was member of the Rajya Sabha from 1954 to 1957.
- Lok Sabha Membership: He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Tiruchengode in 1957, served until 1962.
Governorship and Later Life
- Governor of Maharashtra: He appointed as the Governor of Maharashtra in 1962.
- Death: Passed away on October 6, 1962, at the age of 73.
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35. Chidambaram Subramaniam
Early Life and Education
- Date of Birth: January 30, 1910.
- Place of Birth: Senguttaipalayam, near Pollachi, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu (formerly Presidency of Fort St. George).
- Education:
- He completed early education in Pollachi.
- He earned a B.Sc. in Physics from Presidency College, Chennai (affiliated with the University of Madras).
- He graduated with a law degree from Madras Law College, Chennai.
Political Career
- Early Involvement and Freedom Struggle
- Civil Disobedience Movement: He was an active member during college days.
- Quit India Movement: He was imprisoned in 1942 for participation.
- Constituent Assembly: He elected as a member and contributed to framing the Constitution of India.
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Roles in Madras State (1952-1962):
- He served as Minister of Education, Law, and Finance under Chief Ministers Rajaji and K. Kamaraj.
- He was the first Leader of the House in the Madras Legislative Assembly during his tenure.
National Leadership:
- He served as Minister of Steel and Mines in 1962 after being elected to the Lok Sabha.
- As Minister for Food and Agriculture, he played a crucial role in the Green Revolution, transforming India into a self-sufficient nation in food grains.
Green Revolution:
- He was an architect of modern agricultural policy, working with M. S. Swaminathan and B. Sivaraman to introduce high-yielding seed varieties and intensive fertilizer use.
- He established the National Agro Foundation in Chennai and the Bharathidasan Institute of Management in Tiruchirappalli.
Later Political Roles:
- He served as Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution from 1971 to 1974 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
- He was the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission from 1971 to 1972, where he was influential in shaping economic policies.
- He was the Minister of Finance from 1975 to 1977, advising on the devaluation of the Indian Rupee during the Emergency.
- He was appointed Minister of Defence from 1979 to 1980 under Prime Minister Charan Singh.
- He served as Governor of Maharashtra from 1990 to 1993 but resigned after criticizing Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao’s administration.
Awards and Recognitions
- Bharat Ratna: Awarded in 1998 for his role in ushering in the Green Revolution.
Other Awards:
- Y. B. Chavan National Integration Award
- U Thant Peace Award (1996)
- Norman Borlaug Award (1996)
- Anuvrat Award (1988)
Publications and Legacy
- Books:
- The New Strategy in Indian Agriculture.
- Some Countries Which I Visited Round the World.
- The India of My Dreams.
- Commemorations:
- A commemorative coin and postage stamp were issued in his honor in 2010.
- The Shri Chidambaram Subramaniam Award for Excellence in Character is awarded annually by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavans.
Death
- Date of Death: On his 90th age, November 7, 2000, in Chennai.
- Legacy: The last surviving cabinet minister who served under Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Gulzarilal Nanda.
36. Veeran Sundaralingam
Early Life
- Date of Birth: April 16, 1771.
- Place of Birth: Governagiri Village, near Panchalankurichi, Tuticorin district, Tamil Nadu.
- Parents: Kaladi and Mutharuli.
Role in the Polygar Wars
- Position: General of the Poligar Veerapandiya Kattabomman.
Fight Against the British:
- Played a significant role in the resistance against the British East India Company.
- Fought in the First Polygar War (1799) and is believed to have died during this conflict.
- Some accounts suggest he may have been killed during the Second Polygar War (1800-1801) while assisting Kattabomman’s younger brother, Oomaithurai.
Legacy
- Memorial: In 2009, the Tamil Nadu government announced plans to build a memorial for Sundaralingam at Governagiri.
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37. S.N. Sundarambal
Birth and Early Life
- Born: October 7, 1913, in Veerapandi, Tiruppur.
- Family: Daughter of Natchimuthu Goundar.
- Background: She born in affluent family, with a strong inclination towards social service.
Early Involvement in the Freedom Struggle
- First Act of Patriotism (1928): She offered gold bangles to Mahatma Gandhi at a public meeting to support the Congress party’s anti-colonial efforts.
Participation in Major Freedom Movements
- Satyagraha Protest (1941): She was arrested along with her newborn son and sentenced to three months in Vellore Prison.
- Quit India Movement (1942): She engaged in non-violent protests; imprisoned for seven months in Vellore Prison.
- Protest Against the British Government (1943): She organized a significant demonstration in Tiruppur, leading to another three-month jail term.
Post-Independence Activism and Social Work
- Farmers' Welfare: She continued activism for farmers' rights and organized protests for their welfare.
- Orphanage Establishment: She founded an orphanage at Angeripalayam in Tiruppur after meeting Vinoba Bhave in the early 1970s.
Legacy and Death
- Death: August 20, 2007, in Tiruppur.
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