Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi commemorated the freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai on the 150th anniversary of his birth.
About V. O. Chidambaram Pillai:
He was Born on September 5, 1872, Pillai is popularly acknowledged as Kappalottiya Tamizhan or The Helmsman
His most memorable thing is that he braved huge difficulties, Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, to challenge the British monopoly in maritime trade.
He and Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (SSNC) launched the first domestic Indian shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo to compete with British ships.
Pillai’s ambitions -although Services are limited to Tuticorin and Colombo, Swadeshi’s goal is to “popularize the art of navigation” in the “Oriental countries”, hire “Asian”, open a shipyard, and do everything in its power to revitalize the Indian maritime tradition .
Tuticorin Port Trust, one of Indias 13 primary Ports, is named after him.
Play on V. O. Chidambaram Pillai: Desabhaktar Chidambaranar
Film on his life: Kappalottiya Tamizhan