Kamaraswamy Kamaraj (1903-1975)

Why in News? : PM Modi paid tribute to K. Kamaraj on his 122nd birth anniversary, and said his ideals on social justice will always inspire us.
Introduction : Kamaraswamy Kamaraj was a great freedom fighter, visionary politician and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He was known as ‘Kingmaker’ in the Indian politics during 1960s.
Born : 15 July, 1903, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu.
Major contributions : He introduced several important reforms for education and development in Tamil Nadu. He introduced a midday meal scheme in government schools to attract children to school and improve their nutrition. He also opened over 30,000 new schools and made education free and compulsory. In 1963, he proposed the Kamaraj Plan to revive the Congress Party. It is noteworthy that he

played a key role in making Lal Bahadur Shastri as the Prime Minister in 1964 and Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister in 1966.

Honours : He was awarded the ‘Bharat Ratna’ posthumously in 1976 for his invaluable contribution to the nation.