K. Santhanam
(1895-1980)
Political Party: Indian National Congress
Biography: Kasturiranga Santhanam was born in 1895 in the Madras Presidency. After completing his education at the Madras Law College, he began his legal career in 1920, practicing at the High Court of Madras. Santhanam joined the Non-Cooperation Movement and participated in the Satyagraha campaigns, during which he was imprisoned three times between 1930 and 1932. Between 1922 and 1930, he actively promoted khadi production across Tamil Nadu and served as Secretary of the All India Khadi Board at Tiruppur. He also managed the Gandhi Ashram at Tiruchengode from 1925 to 1930.
Santhanam’s also served as the first editor of the Indian Express, one of India’s most widely read English language newspapers, from 1932 to 1940. During his tenure, he was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly, serving from 1936 until his resignation in 1942. A dedicated member of the Indian National Congress, he was involved with both the Tamil Nadu and All India Congress Committees. In 1944, Santhanam was appointed Joint Secretary of the Sapru Committee, and in 1948, he became Minister of State for Transport and Railways.
Santhanam was elected to the Constituent Assembly representing Madras, where he contributed notably to discussions on adult franchise, local governance, and citizenship. Later, he served as Lieutenant Governor of Vindhya Pradesh. In 1962, he chaired the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, whose recommendations led to the establishment of the Central Vigilance Commission in 1964. Santhanam also wrote several books, including An Anthology of Indian Literature, Gospel of Gandhi, and Union-State Relations in India.
Member of
Madras - PACT: Mini Models
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