P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja
P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja | |
---|---|
Krishna Kumarasingh Bhavasingh | |
Preceded by | O. P. Ramaswamy Reddiyar |
Succeeded by | Position abolished |
Personal details | |
Born | Poosapati Sanjeevi Kumarswamy Raja 8 July 1898 |
Political party | Indian National Congress |
Profession | Politician |
Poosapati Sanjeevi Kumaraswamy Raja (8 July 1898 – 16 March 1957) was an Indian politician who served as the last
Early life
Raja was born on 8 July 1898
Political and social work
The lives and writings of Annie Besant and Satyamurthy had great influence on his mind and character in his formative years. It was in 1919 that he met Mahatma Gandhi for the first time and started following with great interest the events in Gandhi's life. Gandhi's epic struggle in South Africa, the founding of the Ashram in Ahmedabad and the Champaran struggle made a profound impression on him and the utter simplicity of Mahatma's life also evoked his unbounded admiration.
In 1932, he was arrested for disobeying the unjust laws. Thus Rajapalayam gained a distinct place in political map, the credit went to Raja's lead. In 1934, Raja won central legislature for constituency comprising Tirunelveli, Madurai & Ramanathapuram. At the age of 39, he entered the Assembly as M.L.A in C. Rajagopalachari ministry successfully contesting the 1937 election.
He was elected as the leader of Madras Legislature Congress Party in 1939 defeating Dr. P. Subbaroyan by 105 to 89 in March 31, 1949 and took oath as the Premier (Prime Minister) of Madras Province on April 6, 1949. Prior to becoming the Prime Minister he served as a cabinet minister under Mr. Prakasam formed in April 1946.
In all the years of his life, most of Raja's wealth was spent in helping the poor and in serving public causes, particularly for the Congress movement. He was much interested in co-operative movement also. He founded Bhupathi Raju Co-operative Credit Bank, an urban bank for the benefit of local people especially farmers named after his friend, Bhupathi Raju of Andhra Pradesh, who accompanied him in prison during freedom movement. He constructed the monument Congress Ponvizha Grounds (Golden Jubilee Grounds) in Rajapalayam commemorating the fifty years completion of founding of All India Congress Party in 1935.
Raja's life was one of noble activity, dedication and selfless service for the people of the country. He was a staunch proponent of the concept of "Separation of the
It was said that Raja studied in Srivilliputtur G.S. Hindu higher secondary school and thus he chose his temple as the symbol of Tamil Nadu emblem. And his successor Rajagopalachari might not have minded that the shrine of Andal was now the Madras government's symbol.
Raja died on 16 March 1957 in
Commemoration
Raja has been commemorated on an
See also
- Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu
References
- ^ Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu since 1920. Government of Tamil Nadu
- ^ "DMK-MDMK marriage put on hold". Rediff.com. 15 July 1998. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- ^ "Gandhiji remembered". The Hindu. 12 February 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "U.N. Military Chief K.A.S. Raja". The New York Times. 7 December 1961. p. A2.
- ^ "The Indian Express - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja Passes Away". The Indian Express. 16 March 1957. p. 1. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- ^ Biswajit Roy. "Latest Releases". Pib.nic.in. Retrieved 12 July 2013.