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.
