V.O.Chidambaranar – (1872 – 1936)
- O.C.’s birthplace was Ottapidaram (Thoothukudi district) V. U. C. Valliyappan Ulaganathan Chidambaram, popularly known as V. U. C., was an Indian freedom fighter.
- He started the first indigenous Indian shipping company to compete with British ships.
- The indigenous steamship company he started operated between Thoothukudi and Colombo.
- He was accused of sedition by the British government and sentenced to life imprisonment and imprisoned. His lawyer’s license was also revoked.
Tamil and community service
- O.C. was well-versed in Tamil and English.
- He was a lawyer, writer, orator, trade union leader, and freedom fighter.
- His political career was full of high morals, honesty, and energy.
- He was a man of love, courage and openness.
- He read many Tamil literatures and wrote articles and poems about them, and translated English books.
- He used to discuss the freedom struggle and Tamil literature with his friends.
- O.C. In 1892, he was impressed by the powerful and courageous writings of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and became his disciple.
- He himself participated in the Indian freedom struggle and made others participate. He fought against the oppression of the British. He gave a heroic speech to the people about their cruel laws.
- The 89th Memorial Day of the Tamil sailor V.O. Chidambaranar is observed as the Day of Sacrifice on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
