Throw back: Karumuttu, the educationist

Born on June 16, 1893 in Sivagangai, he was educated in Sri Lanka where he edited a newspaper which championed the cause of plantation workers, a majority of whom were Tamilians. His return to India saw him fully involved in the activities of the Indian National Congress and was elected as the Secretary of the Madras Province Congress committee (AICC, Madras region). He attended an AICC session with Periyar. He threw himself wholeheartedly into the freedom struggle. His registered office in West Masi Street, Madurai, was a venue where Mahatma Gandhi wore the loin cloth, on September 22, 1921. There is a mention of this in front of the khadi shop run by the state government. 

He hoisted the flag at an anti-Hindi conference held in Tiruchy. His involvement with national issues apart, he is one of the pioneering forces of higher education in the state. He is known and remembered fondly for establishing 19 educational institutions, which are highly rated even today. Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Thiagarajar Polytechnic and Thiagarajar School of Management are some of the premier institutions established by him that rank among the most sought-after. A man with a vision, as an industrialist he oversaw the setting up of 14 textile mills. He also founded Bank of Madurai and established the Madurai Insurance Company. Having taken an active part in socio-economic-political changes, he passed away on July 29, 1974, at the age of 81.