Valliyappan Ulaganathan Chidambaram Pillai (Aged 64) was born on September 5, 1872, in Ottapidaram, Tinnevelly (now in Thoothukudi district), Tamil Nadu, India. He was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and a leader of the Indian National Congress, and he founded the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in 1906 to compete against the monopoly of the British India Steam Navigation Company (BISNC).
In Chennai, Chidambaram Pillai met Swami Ramakrishnananda, a saint who belonged to Swami Vivekananda Ashram (monastery), who advised him to “do something for the nation”. He also met the Tamil poet Bharathiyaar, who shared his political ideology, and the two men became close friends.
In response to the British India Steam Navigation Company’s trade monopoly, Chidambaram started an Indian-owned shipping company. He registered the Swadeshi Shipping Company in October 1906 with a capital of ten lakh rupees, 40,000 shares, and a face value of Rs. 25/- per share. Any Asian could become a shareholder. He launched the first indigenous Indian shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo with the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (SSNC), competing against British ships.
On February 23, 1908, Chidambaram Pillai gave a speech at Thoothukudi, encouraging the workers at Coral Mill (now part of Madura Coats) to protest against their low wages and harsh working conditions. Four days later, the workers of the Coral Mill went on strike, and Chidambaram and Subramanya Siva led the strike. Their demands included incremental earnings, weekly holidays, and other leave facilities. The success of the strike encouraged the workers of other European companies, who also gained increased wages and better treatment.
Though he was once a member of the Indian National Congress, he was later charged with sedition by the British government and sentenced to life imprisonment, and his barrister license was revoked. He passed away on November 18, 1936, in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. Tuticorin Port Trust, one of India’s thirteen major ports, is named after him.
V. O. Chidambaram
(1872 – 1936) – (Tamilnadu)
Valliyappan Ulaganathan Chidambaram Pillai (Aged 64) was born on September 5, 1872, in Ottapidaram, Tinnevelly (now in Thoothukudi district), Tamil Nadu, India. He was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and a leader of the Indian National Congress, and he founded the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in 1906 to compete against the monopoly of the British India Steam Navigation Company (BISNC).
In Chennai, Chidambaram Pillai met Swami Ramakrishnananda, a saint who belonged to Swami Vivekananda Ashram (monastery), who advised him to “do something for the nation”. He also met the Tamil poet Bharathiyaar, who shared his political ideology, and the two men became close friends.
In response to the British India Steam Navigation Company’s trade monopoly, Chidambaram started an Indian-owned shipping company. He registered the Swadeshi Shipping Company in October 1906 with a capital of ten lakh rupees, 40,000 shares, and a face value of Rs. 25/- per share. Any Asian could become a shareholder. He launched the first indigenous Indian shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo with the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (SSNC), competing against British ships.
On February 23, 1908, Chidambaram Pillai gave a speech at Thoothukudi, encouraging the workers at Coral Mill (now part of Madura Coats) to protest against their low wages and harsh working conditions. Four days later, the workers of the Coral Mill went on strike, and Chidambaram and Subramanya Siva led the strike. Their demands included incremental earnings, weekly holidays, and other leave facilities. The success of the strike encouraged the workers of other European companies, who also gained increased wages and better treatment.
Though he was once a member of the Indian National Congress, he was later charged with sedition by the British government and sentenced to life imprisonment, and his barrister license was revoked. He passed away on November 18, 1936, in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. Tuticorin Port Trust, one of India’s thirteen major ports, is named after him.
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