1. Kamarajar State’s all-round development
Almost half a century has passed since he administered Tamilnadu. But his pivotal
role in the State’s all-round development is still remembered. Keeping pace with
Nehru’s visionary efforts at the national level,
Kamaraj was instrumental in building many irrigation dams, linking the villages by
all-weather roads and constructing hospitals in remote places.
Today he is talked about for making primary education completely free. Perhaps
he might have felt that the asset of education which he was deprived of due to
poverty should not befall similarly placed children. In fact, he felt that a major
part of his life’s mission was fulfilled by this one act.
Kamraj had also introduced the mid-day meal scheme for the poor students at
school. It helped arrest dropouts. It is now being replicated at the national level.
Even the Supreme Court in one of its recent judgments has asked every State to
implement the scheme besides instructing the Central Government to release
foodgrains from its godowns for this purpose. The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul
Kalam, while inaugurating a similar scheme under ‘Akshaya Patra’ at a function in
Bangalore recently, acknowledged the pioneering work done in this field by
Kamaraj.
The result of Kamaraj’s work was there for all to see. There was an all-round
development with village as the nucleus. By inducting colleagues like Shri R.
Venkataraman and C. Subramaniam in his Ministry he paved the way for the
growth of industrial, agricultural and educational sectors.Tamilnadu set itself as
an example for other States to emulate.
Though later in life Kamaraj had to lose his political power and sit in the opposition, he still
remained a respected national figure both among his colleagues and opponents. He had no
enemies in politics and remained endeared to the masses as before.
Educational Development
2. K. Kamaraj is very well known Indian Politician from Tamil Nadu who is praised for
making tremendous efforts for development of educational institutes in Tamil
Nadu. Whilst leading as a Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, he re-established over
5000 closed schools of Tamil Nadu state. He enforced the law by which every
child was bound to achieve education till 11th level. He assured free and high
standard Education for everyone. This boosted up the literacy rate from 7% to
over 38% in Tamil Nadu region.
The Mid-Day-Meal Scheme properly started in 1956. Over 14 lakhs students were
benefited . Milk powder , corn flour and re-fined vegetable oils were sent free of
costs to schools from CARE.
Two session classes were started. 45 multipurpose schools were started. In the
second plan 191 multipurpose schools came up. 286 double session schools were
opened. Laborites with modern facilities and librarians were made available.
Scheme was also introduced to provide quarters to the teacher of village schools.
Rs 25/- lakhs were allotted to this scheme. Construction of 750 houses was
planned.
He also arranged to give interest free loans to the poor students of medical college ,
engineering college and agricultural college. This has improved in admission of
Engg. College and Medical College in every year. Facility to train nurses in
hospitals were also increased
Number of Arts colleges were increased in the period of Kamaraj. 2 P.T. Colleges ,
10 Teacher training colleges and 39 Teacher training schools were opened in his
period.
His government made arrangement to open one more university in his period.
Industrial Development
Kamaraj's other major feat was his role in facilitating developmental programmes
chiefly electrification and industrial development. Thousands of villages were
electrified. Rural electrification led to the large-scale use of pumpsets for
irrigational purposes and agriculture-received impetus. Large and small-scale
industries were flagged off generating employment opportunities. Kamaraj made
3. the best use of the funds available through the Five-Year Plans and guided Tamil
Nadu in deriving the maximum benefit.
Industries with huge investments in crores of Rupees were started in his period
• Neyveli Lignite Scheme
• Raw photo film industry at Nilgri
• Surgical instruments factory at Guindy
• Sugar factories
• Bi-Carbonates factories
• Cement factories
• Railway Coach factory at Perambur
• Mettur paper industry
These are the back-bone for the development of the nation.
Other industries which were started his period are
• BHEL, Trichy
• Neyveli Lignite Corporation.
• MANALI Refinery Ltd.
• OOTY Thermal Power station.
• GUNTHA Hydro Power station
• Neyveli Thermal Power station.
But there is no more Kamaraj in Indian Politics and no one from his party Congress, INC a party
for Capitalist, Ex.RBI Governor, Oxford and Cambridge Wallah’s...
Agriculture Development
Major irrigation schemes were planned in Kamaraj's period...
Number of dams were constructed under his rule are
• Manimuthar Dam
• Vaikai Dam
• Aliyar Dam
• Sathanur Dam
• Krishnagiri Dam
• Lower Bhavani
• Amravathi
4. • Pullambadi
• Parambikulam
• Neyyaru
Socialism
Committed to his version of 'socialism' meaning that "those who are
backward should progress", Kamaraj remained truthful to the simple
dictum of his 'socialism', providing 'what is essential for man's living'
such as 'dwelling, job, food and education'.24
The great feature of
Kamaraj rule was the ending of the retrogressive educational policies
and setting the stage for universal and free schooling. Six thousand
schools closed down by Rajagopalachari were revived and 12,000
schools added.25
The percentage of school going children in the age
group between 6 and 11 increased from 45 per cent to 75 per cent
within a span of seven years after he became the chief minister.26
