CHENNAI: There was a steady stream of visitors at the otherwise deserted number 52, Thirumalai Pillai Road, Kamaraj Memorial House.Fresh rose garlands adorn the former chief minister Kamaraj’s statue on the premises, following the release of the book ‘Kaal nootraandu perunthalaivarudan’ (Quarter century with the great leader) on the occasion of the 107th birth anniversary of Kamaraj on Wednesday.
In a display case at the house is an ancient, sturdy looking ‘Sanyo Cadnica’ electric toothbrush, . “These were given to him (Kamaraj) as a gift. As he used to smoke, someone said the brush was good for removing the (tobacco) stains. But he never used this brush,” says Vairavan who was Kamaraj’s assistant from 1946 onwards.
Like the electric toothbrush, Kamaraj who was chief minister of the state from 1954 to 1963 was a forgotten relic until the state government announced his birthday as ‘Education Development Day’.
This is the first birth anniversary since the announcement, and the government allocated Rs 1.33 crore for celebrations in schools across the state. Congress leader Sudarsanam promptly thanked Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, in the assembly for the announcement.
“When he (Kamaraj) came to power the literacy rate in the state was dismal, only around 6 per cent. He made all efforts to bring children to schools by giving them uniforms and mid-day meals. By the time he stepped down as chief minister in 1963, the literacy rate was around 39 per cent. The high literacy rate in the state today is because of the efforts made by him then,” says Vairavan.Speaking of unfulfilled dreams he says, “When he was done with setting up schools, industries and dams. He said ‘the job has become too clerical, the people now need water, let me go to Delhi to connect the Ganga with the Cauvery’.”
The inter-linking of major Indian rivers features in many policy announcements. Whether the recent revival will help that cause remains to be seen.
