Delhi, 15 July (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary, praising his noble ideals and commitment to social justice.

In separate posts on X, PM stated:“Paying homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. He was at the forefront of India’s freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of our journey after Independence. His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly.”

Kumaraswami Kamaraj was a prominent Indian independence activist and statesman, serving as the Chief Minister of Madras from 1954 to 1963. He was the president of the Indian National Congress from 1964 to 1967, playing a crucial role in the appointments of Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi as Prime Ministers, which earned him the title Kingmaker. Born Kamatchi, Kamaraj had minimal formal education, dropping out of school early. He became active in the independence movement in the 1920s and faced imprisonment by the British Raj. Elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1937, he was also involved in the Quit India Movement, leading to three years of incarceration.

Post-independence, Kamaraj was a Member of Parliament from 1952 to 1954 before becoming Chief Minister. His tenure was marked by significant infrastructure development and social reforms, including introducing free education and expanding the Midday Meal Scheme, greatly improving literacy and school enrollment. Known for his simplicity and integrity, Kamaraj was a lifelong bachelor and left no property at his death. He received the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1976, and Hubert Humphrey hailed him as one of the greatest political leaders.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar