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Birth Anniversary of Kumaraswami Kamaraj
- 17 Jul 2025
- 2 min read
The Prime Minister paid homage to Freedom Fighter and Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu K. Kamaraj on his birth anniversary (15th July 2025).
Kamaraj (1903-1975)
- Role in Freedom Struggle:
- Born in 1903 in Tamil Nadu, he was inspired to join the freedom struggle by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
- In April 1930, Kamaraj joined the Salt Satyagraha Movement, and in 1942, he was jailed for his involvement in the Quit India Movement.
- He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946, and later to Parliament in 1952.
- Contribution in Nation Building:
- He served as Chief Minister of the erstwhile Madras Province (1954) and later as President of the Indian National Congress (1963).
- He was perhaps the first non-English-speaking Chief Minister of India.
- In 1963, Kamaraj suggested to Jawaharlal Nehru that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts for organizational work.
- This became known as the 'Kamaraj Plan,' aimed at reducing the focus on power and strengthening commitment to the principles and policies.
- He introduced free education and the mid-day meal scheme in schools.
- His birth anniversary is observed as Education Development Day in Tamil Nadu, honouring his enduring legacy.
- He served as Chief Minister of the erstwhile Madras Province (1954) and later as President of the Indian National Congress (1963).
- Legacy: In recognition of his service to the nation, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1976.
- He passed away in 1975, at the age of 72.
| Read More: Important Indian National Congress Sessions |
