The Legendry unselfish noble statesman

During his tenure as Chief Minister, Kamarajar was as corpulent and rustic as Rajagopalachari was ascetic and urbane though Kamaraj knew little English since he had left school as a boy.

This transition from one highly educated leader namely Rajaji to another humble and lowly educated Kamarj suggested that India's encounter with democracy might be more than a flirtation. But what turned out to be other way was the Golden Socio-politcal progress for entire Tamilnadu under the ruling period of Kamarajar. But Kamarajar was not in high position as Chief Minister of Tamilnadu in easy environment, which was infact very turbulent due to certain section of people taking up anti-Hindi agitations and Dravidian Movement as the main agenda to tackle Congress Government.

To compare the situation of the conditions of then Madaras state, in contrast, as it happened, a democratic endeavour came apart within weeks in neighbouring Pakistan . In East Pakistan (today's Bangladesh ), the aged AK Fazlul Huq led a united front to a big victory in provincial elections in March. He formed a government that lasted only two months before its secessionist- sounding rhetoric provoked its dis-missal by the central government in West Pakistan . The situation in South India (espeically Madaras state) was different, but the social and linguistic diversity out of which Kamarajar rose had some similarities.

Though the Congress Party had not done well in Madras in the general elections of 1951-2. Rajagopalachari was able to form a government only with the support of independents and smaller parties. In addition, a resilient Dravidiastan movement which is basically anti-north, anti-upper caste, anti-Hindi movement campaigned for local autonomy or even a separate governing state, ill defined but possibly extending even to complete independence from Indian subcontinent. If Pakistan, why not Dravidistan (land of the southern peoples),was the question raised by few followers & supporters of Dravidian Movement which were essentially offshoot of Self-Respect Movement & Dravida Kazhagam started by E.V.R.Periyar. A `battle for religion is on in Tamil Nad as then the Times of India reported, conoclasts relentlessly preaching godlessness and godfearing people urging the need for piety and faith The din of this verbal jehad is heard even in the remote corners of the city [of Madras] as scores of lectures are held daily at every available maidan or public auditorium either to denounce God or sing His praise. The provocateur was EV Ramaswami Naicker, who had founded the Dravadi Kazhagam with the main focus of anti-Brahmin or anit-Aryan organisation.

In the face of above background in then Madaras Presidency, the rise of Kamarajar as a from-the son-of-the-soil leader, who mobilized the masses and revitalised the roots of the Congress in the Tamil areas.

He could easily suppress anti-Hindi feelings and anti-upper community movement with projection for mass educational programme and irrigational plans for every village of Tamilnadu, Kamarajar won two elections, held the chief minister-ship for nine years and became president of the Congress Party and the maker of two prime ministers after Nehru's death. Keeping pace with Nehru's visionary efforts at the national level,Kamarajar was instrumental in building many irrigation dams, Several institutions such as Tanjore Medical College , Several industries such as BHEL, linking the villages by all-weather roads and constructing hospitals in remote places. Today he is talked about for making primary education completely free. In fact, he felt that a major part of his life's mission was fulfilled by this one act. Kamrajar had also introduced themid-day meal scheme for the poor students at school based on Annadhanam scheme practiced at several places of Tamilnadu. It helped arrest dropouts. It is now being replicated at the national level.