Birth Anniversary of Kumaraswami Kamaraj | 17 Jul 2025

Source: ET 

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.  
• 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.