K. Kamaraj was born on July 15,1903 to the couple Kumarasamy and Sivakami in Virudhunagar, Tamilnadu. His father Kumarasamy had a small coconut shop to support his family.
While Kamaraj was studying in the primary school, the family was struck with a misfortune. His father, the only breadwinner of the family, succumbed to a massive heart attack. This put an end to the education of Kamaraj. He had to take up all kinds of odd jobs including that of a street vendor to support his widowed mother and sister.
The Independence struggle was in full swing in the country at that time. Kamraj was eager to contribute his mite to the freedom movement pioneered by Mahatma Gandhi. Kamaraj plunged headlong into the movement. From then on there was no looking back for him.
He became an able organiser in mobilizing people for public meetings addressed by patriots. With terrific energy and dedicated service Kamraj converted the Congress into a formidable organisation in Tamilnadu. Himself a grass-root level worker, he became very popular among his party rank. He was imprisoned for the first time when he took part in the Salt Satyagraha undertaken by Mahatma Gandhi.
Later, participating in almost all the agitations he courted arrest and underwent long periods of imprisonment. His association with stalwarts in prison helped him broaden his outlook. He grew fond of books and through interactions with intellectuals in prison Kamaraj developed his leadership skills that proved a valuable asset to him as an administrator in later years of his life.
Well impressed by the achievements and acumen of Kamraj, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru felt that his services were needed more at the national level. In a swift move he brought Kamaraj to Delhi as the President of the Indian National Congress.
Kamaraj suggested to Nehru to seek the resignation of some of his senior cabinet colleagues to draft them for party work. Kamaraj had realised that the Congress party was losing ground among the people due to the absence of dedicated leaders. Nehru promptly accepted his suggestion and some of his cabinet ministers resigned.
Kamaraj’s political maturity came in full view when Nehru died in 1964. How he settled the succession issue for the Prime Ministership was amply proved by his choice of Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi in succession.
Kamaraj died on October 12, 1975. In 1976 he was awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously for his services towards nation.
