P S Kumaraswamy Raja

Early life

He was born in Rajapalayam to Poosapati Sanjeevi Raja. His mother died when he was eight days old. He lost his father when he was three years old. Raja had no brothers and sisters and he was brought up by his grand mother.

After schooling, Raja was connected with the Congress organisation at its every level. He took a prominent part in Panchayat Organisations, Local Board administration He was President of Rajapalayam Union, Panchayat court,District Board of Ramnathapuram, District educational Council etc.

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 the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (Madras Presidency) from 1949 to 1950 and Governor of Orissa from 1954 to 1956.

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 Cop-operative Credit Bank. an urban bank for the benefit of local people especially farmers named after his friend, Sri Bhupathi Raju of Andhra Pradesh, who accompanied him in prison during freedom movement. He constructed one monument *CONGRESS PONVIZHA GROUNDS" in Rajapalayam commomerating Jalian wala bagh incident during the freedom struggle.

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 Judiciary from the Executive". Prohibition, promotion of Khādī and Temple entry legislation were his other notable achievements. He donated his house for starting an institution of culture called "Gandhi Kalai Mandram". Rajapalayam became a great industrial centre mainly due to his drive and interest.

One theory is that the influential Chief Minister of the Madras Presidency was P. S. Kumaraswamy 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.

Commemoration

Raja has been commemorated on an Indian Postal Service stamp. P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja centenary marriage hall was opened in 1998 by then chief minister to commemorate his 100th year birthday celebration.Greenways road in chennai is named after him.The newly constructed Bus Stand with more space is named after him as P.S.KUMARASAMY RAJA BUS STAND and the newly developed area where the district offices situated including Collectorate at Virudhunagar is named as KUMARASAMY RAJA NAGAR.