P. Kakkan(b.June 18, 1908 – d.December 23, 1981) was a Dalit leader, freedom fighter and Indian politician who served as M.L.A and M.P and in various ministerial posts in Congress Governments in the erstwhile Madras state between 1957 and 1967.
Kakkan was drawn to the independence movement from an early stage in his life. While in school, he joined the Indian National Congress.He participated in the Quit India Movement and was sent to Alipore jail.
Some of Kakkan’s achievements as Minister have been the construction of the Mettur and Vaigai reservoirs and for the upliftment and welfare of Dalits. In 1999, the Government of India released a postage stamp commemorating Kakkan and his contributions to the nation.
During his last days he was seen lying outside Madurai government hospital with noone to care.Then chief minister M.G.R met him to enquire his wants and he asked only for a free bus pass.The politicians of yesteryear had set examples from which these days corrupt goons should learn.On a similiar note, Kamrajar our ex chief minister died with 12Rs to his credit.
MGR - Kakkan
Mayawati, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh is erecting her pillars and statues every month.Karunanidhi is giving laptops with his faces on the desktop.Those days minsiters did great achievements without blowing trumpets considering it as their duty unlike our todays politicians.
This is the day on which the great humble man Kakkan was born.Lets all remember him………..
iam totally moved by this prolific leader…..am sure are not going to see a leader like him anymore…….such a great a man….
i would like to know more about this great man. kindly mail me a brief article abt him.
Ivarai pola oru manitharai ini intha ulagam parkathu.what a great man? intha karunanithi ellam ivara parthavathu thiruntha venam? parathesinga….
hi
[...] P.Kakkan – Unsung Leader Posted June 20, 2009 Filed under: politics | After reading about Mr.P.Kakkan in an article in The Hindu (here) today, I thought of writing something which I had heard from my father. But a brief search gave me what I intended to write (here). [...]
Very nice post. Thanks for posting. I never knew him until you wrote. Great people like this need to be remembered forever and the next generation should look upon them as role models.
Keep up the good work.