Kovai jail gets VOC’s statue on freedom fighter’s anniversary

VO Chidambaram Pillai who is fondly known as VOC is also remembered as ‘ Kappalottiya Tamilan ’ (The Tamil Helmsman) and ‘ Chekkiluththa Chemmal’ (great man who pulled the oil press). He got the title ‘Chekki luththa Chemmal ’ for his links with Coimbatore, where he was imprisoned by the British in the central prison from 1908 to 1910. He was forced to work on the oil press, which now finds a place in his memorial at the prison premises. Installing his statue was a demand of various organsiations for decades, says Mr. Sivakumar whose organisation has been maintaining the memorial at the prison and remembering him on his death anniversary, for the last 26 years. 

Four years ago, various organisations pooled in Rs. 1.4 lakh and made the marble statue of the great leader at Jaipur. However, it could not be installed due to practical difficulties and were trying to find the right place to install it. Last year it was gifted to the prison authorities here to erect it at the prison premises. After its installation, a few days ago it was at last unveiled on Friday. Close to 300 people took part in the unveiling ceremony and the 80th anniversary remembrance of V.O.C. “Every year we used to garland the portrait and oil press at the memorial. Hence forth we will be able to pay our respect to him by garlanding his statue like other leaders,” Mr. Sivakumar said as he pressed for renaming Avinashi Road, in Coimbatore city, after the freedom fighter. “It was on this road he was dragged to the Kuthirai Vandi Court (the old court) in the city. Naming the road after him would be a fitting tribute to him as he left behind his footprints on it,” he added.