Centenary of justice party (1916-2016)
90th Year of Self Respect Movement (1925-2015)
Sir A RAMASAMI MUDALIAR-(1887 -1976)
Sir A LAKSHMANASAMI MUDALIAR-(1887-1974)
The Arcot twins Ramasami (Mudaliar) and Lakshmanasami (Mudaliar) were born on 14 October 1887, to Kuppusami (Mudaliar) and Seethammal. The mother died when the twin were just two years old. Their father, too, passed away in his fifty second year, leaving the youngsters to the care of their elder brother Duraisami. After schooling, both of them joined Madha Christian College, which was situated at Parry’s corner, Chennai.
They studied together, until they had to pursue different branches of knowledge of their higher studies, which made their separation inevitable. Ramasami, the elder, studied law and registered himself as a lawyer at the Madras High Court. Lakshmanasami, on the other hand studied at Madras Medical College obtained LMES degree and started his career as a doctor.
They were known as Arcot brothers after the place of their origin near Vellore
Arcot Ramasami (Mudaliar)
Even as he was having a lucrative career as a lawyer he was attracted by politics as he found around him a lot of inequality and denial of social justice. He joined the South Indian Liberal Federation (Justice Party) and worked for the betterment of the society. He went on to serve the people in various positions the government offered him.
His reputation spread far and wide and he was invited to sign on behalf of India when the United Nations organization was founded in 1945. Later, he was deputed by the Home Minister Patel to represent India’s case in the Hyderabad problems before the UNO in its meeting in Switzerland. The credit of winning international support for the annexure of the princely state of Hyderabad with India must be given to A.R. (Mudaliar)
When he took charge as the Mayor of Madras Municipal Corporation, he introduced free midday meal scheme in the corporation schools.
He was offered many prestigious posts by the Government of India. Universities in India and abroad vied with each other in decorating him with honorary degree. To crown it all, the Government of India offered him Padma Bhushan Award.
When Thanthai Periyar launched an agitation against the system of separate refreshment norms for Brahmins and Non – Brahmins in the railway stations, Sir. A.Ramasami, who was the Minister of Commerce in the Central Government passed an order on 20th March 1941 putting an end to the unfair practice.
Periyar’s observation was one of the greatest geniuses in the country, the most knowledgeable and the most talented.
It is only our country had been free from communal annoyance and fanaticism which considers it the prerogative of a single caste to put down all the other communities Sir.A.Ramasami Mudaliar could eventually have become the President of the Republican.
A.Ramasami worked tirelessly against Varnasrama, for protecting the rights of women and for securing the right of temple entry for all communities.
A.R.Lakshmanasami (Mudaliar)
After getting his medical degree Lakshmanasami joined the Maternity Hospital, Egmore and rendered remarkable service. During those days, when the principalship of Madras Medical College were the monopoly of the British, Lakshamanasami was offered the post by the British Government purely on merit and he rendered singular service to the institution.
He was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Madras in August 1942, so that all the other streams of studies will also get the benefit of his expertise. He continued in the post for twenty seven years and retired in 1969.
He was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly by the graduates constituency in 1946. Later he became the Chairman of the House and assisted the Government with his sage counseling.
In 1952 saw the introduction of an obnoxious educational policy in the Madras Province by the Chief Minister C.Rajagopalachari, as per which students of primary schools were made to stay at home in the afternoons and learn their father’s occupation. As a result many children lost their education and around 6000 schools were closed. Periyar attacked the policy vehemently and launched an agitation; the whole province was exciting. On his part, A.Lakshamanasami warned that a majority of children of Tamil Nadu will become dropouts and their future will become bleak. As a result C.Rajagopalachari resigned as Chief Minister on the pretext of ill health. A.Lakshmanasami adorned many reputed positions in India. He brought glory to India when he was elected as the Head of World Health Organisation (WHO).
Many universities honoured him with doctoral degrees (Honoris Causa). The Government of India, on its part, decorated him with Padma Vibhushan in 1963.
A. Lakshmanasami was a gifted architect. Pachayappa’s College, Chennai the centenary building of Madras University and its Convocation Hall testify to the greatness of Lakshmanasami as an architect.
It was owing to his efforts that Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Madras) came into being. As a mark of gratitude a bronze busts of Lakshamansami has been installed there.
When the Government of India passed an order that All India Public Service Commission examinations will be conducted only in Hindi, Lakshmansami fought with the government and secured the right for the people of the south for writing the examination in English.
Both the twins have been honoured with doctoral degrees by Oxford University of world renown.
A.Ayyasamy
