V.O.Chidambaram Pillai and Gandhi
 
   
  V.O.Chidambaram Pillai, born in Ottappidaram, now in Tuticorin District, in 1872 was about 3 years younger to Gandhi.Unlike Gandhi he was neither a barrister nor did he acquire a degree, just passing a second grade pleadership examination in 1894 which enabled him to practise at the local sub-magistrate's court.


 
 
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Kappalottiya Tamilan

V.O.C launched the first indigenous Indian shipping enterprise,the swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, thus earning himself the sobriquet, "Kappalottiya Tamilan" (The Tamil who launched ships)

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Chekilutha Chemmal

 

 V.O.C was arrested on 1908 for sedition and during those pre non co-operation days,when there was no category of political prisioners, he did hard (convict)labour, and was even to work the oil mill
List Mark Tuticorin Flourishing commerce between Tuticorin and Colombo was the monopoly of the British India Steam Navigation company(BISN) and its Tuticorin agents, A. & F. Harvey. Inspired by the Swadeshi ideals,V.O.C launched the first Indigenous Indian Enterprise at Tuticorin.
   
  V.O.C envinced interest in Saiva Siddhanta, taking part in the local Saivite association and pursing his literary and religious interests.

But with 1906,"The New Spirit" that was the outcome of the Swadeshi movement,everything changed.The year and after that followed radically changed his life and immorality in the Tamil world.

Flourishing commerce between Tuticorin and Colombo was the monopoly of the British India Steam Navigation company(BISN) and its Tuticorin agents, A. & F. Harvey.
Inspired by the Swadeshi ideals,V.O.C garnered the support of local Tuticorin merchants and launched the first Indigenous Indian Enterprise,the swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, at Tuticorin and thus he earns the name "Kappalottiya Tamilan"

V.O.C's pioneering attempt was lauded across the sub-continent and he went on to purchase two steam ships, S.S Gallia and S.S. Lawoe.

He became the most popular leader - galvanising the Swadeshi shipping company , organising the mill workers to strike and conducting a series of nationalist meetings in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli.

On March 12, 1908, he was arrested for sedition and for two days Tuticorin and Tirunelveli witnessed unprecendented violence quelled only by the stationing of a punitive police force. During those pre non co-operation days,when there was no category of political prisioners, he did hard (convict)labour, and was even to work the oil mill.

Aurobinda Ghosh, editorialising him in his Bande Mataram with "Well Done, Chidambaram".
Even the Amrita Bazaar patrika from Calcutta ,now Kolkata, carried reports of his prosecution everyday.

He stepped out of prison in late December 1912.Then he moved to Chennai with his wife and two young sons.Having been convicted for sedition, he had lost his pleadership sanad, thus depriving him of his livelihood.The swadeshi Steam Navigation Company had collapsed , having been liquidated in 1911.His family had lost all its wealth and property in his legal defence.....

To be Continued......

Courtesy : THE HINDU Dated 26 / 01/ 03.