H. Vasanthakumar
H. Vasanthakumar | |
|---|---|
Nanguneri | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Harikrishnan Vasanthakumar 14 April 1950 Businessman
Politician |
| Known for | Founder, Chairman & Managing Director of Vasanth & Co, Vasanth TV |
Harikrishnan Nadar Vasanthakumar (14 April 1950 – 28 August 2020) was an Indian
Early life
Vasanthakumar was born in
Kanniyakumari district of Tamil Nadu to Harikrishnan Nadar and Thangammal on 14 April 1950.[4] He completed his primary education from a Panchayat board school in Kanniyakumari, later obtaining his bachelor's degree in Tamil literature from the Madurai University, as well as a master's degree.[5] His brother, Kumari Ananthan, was also a legislator from the Indian National Congress.[5]
Business career
He started his career as a salesman in the early 1970s, including working with
Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry.[4] Vasanthakumar and his company are credited with pioneering sales of consumer electronics goods on equated monthly installments in the Indian market, as well as centralized after-sales support.[5][6]
Vasanthakumar also found the Tamil satellite television network Vasanth TV in 2008.[7]
Political career
Vasanthakumar started his political career as a worker with the
Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency. He won this election, against the incumbent Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan, by winning with a margin of over 250,000 votes.[12][13]
He was the working President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) from 2019 through his death in August 2020.[14] Earlier, he had served as the Vice-President of the TNCC, and also as the Chairman of the TNCC Traders wing.[15][8]
Electoral Career
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections Contested
| Elections | Constituency | Party | Result | Vote percentage | Opposition Candidate | Opposition Party | Opposition vote percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Nanguneri | INC | Won | 51.76 | S. P. Sooriyakumar | AIADMK | 32.58 |
| 2011 | Nanguneri | INC | Lost | 37.31 | A. Narayanan | AIADMK | 45.91 |
| 2016 | Nanguneri | INC | Won | 43.45 | M. Vijayakumar | AIADMK | 33.41 |
Lok Sabha Elections Contested
| Elections | Constituency | Party | Result | Vote percentage | Opposition Candidate | Opposition Party | Opposition vote percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Indian general election | Kanniyakumari | INC | Lost | 24.64 | Pon Radhakrishnan | BJP | 37.62 |
| 2019 Indian general election | Kanniyakumari | INC | Won | 59.77 | Pon Radhakrishnan | BJP | 35.00 |
Writings
Vasanthakumar wrote a three part autobiographical book series in Tamil, titled "Vetri Padikattu" – "வெற்றிப் படிக்கட்டு" – (transl. Ladder of Success), focusing on his entrepreneurial success and community building initiatives.[16][6][17]
Death
Vasanthakumar died of complications from
ECMO and ventilator life support, prior to his death.[16]
Governor of Tamil Nadu Banwarilal Purohit among others were amongst those who expressed their condolences.[19][20]
He is survived by his wife Tamil Selvi, two sons, and a daughter. His wife was also undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at the time of his death.[6]
References
- ^ "TV channel war in Tamil Nadu set to intensify". DNA. 12 August 2007. Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2009.
- ^ "Plea to halt all trains at Nanguneri". The Hindu. 2 January 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2009.
- ^ "Vasanthakumar to contest as Independent". The Hindu. 12 April 2004. Archived from the original on 21 September 2008. Retrieved 30 March 2009.
- ^ a b Desk, DC Web (29 August 2020). "Kanyakumari MP H Vasanthkumar, the founder of Vasanth and Co, dies of COVID-19". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Tamil Nadu Congress MP Vasantha Kumar dies of COVID-19". The Week. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ a b c Vignessh (28 August 2020). "The story of Vasanthakumar: a driven, resourceful, self-made entrepreneur". The Federal. Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Sonia Gandhi launches satellite TV channel Vasanth". One India. 5 May 2008. Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ a b c "Tamil Nadu loses Lok Sabha MP H Vasanthakumar to COVID-19". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Congress on strong wicket in Nanguneri". The Hindu. 5 May 2006. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- ^ Seetharaman, G. "Pon Radhakrishnan: BJP's lone ranger in Tamil Nadu". The Economic Times. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- ^ "Pon Radhakrishnan: BJP's sole Tamil Nadu MP becomes minister again". Deccan Herald. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- from the original on 25 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu: Congress MP Harikrishnan Vasanthakumar passes away due to Covid-19". The Indian Express. 28 August 2020. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ a b "Congress MP from Kanyakumari H Vasanthakumar succumbs to COVID-19". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Weaving Successful Short stories". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Vasanthakumar, Kanyakumari MP, dies of Covid-19". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu: Congress MP Harikrishnan Vasanthakumar passes away due to Covid-19". The Indian Express. 28 August 2020. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Vasanthakumar was a born fighter, says T.N. Governor Banwarilal Purohit". The Hindu. 28 August 2020. Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.