T. S. S. Rajan

Tiruvengimalai Sesha Sundara Rajan (1880–1953) was an Indian medical doctor, politician and freedom-fighter who served the Minister of Public Health and Religious Endowments in the Madras Presidency from 1937 to 1939.

Rajan was born in Srirangam in Trichinopoly district and studied medicine at Royapuram Medical School, Madras and England. He practised as a doctor in Burma and England and obtained his M.R.C.S. degree in 1911. In 1923, he set up his own clinic.

Rajan entered the Indian independence movement in 1919 and joined the Indian National Congress. He participated in the agitations against the Rowlatt Act and in the Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha. He served as the President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and as the Member of the Imperial Legislative Council of India from 1934 to 1936. From 1937 to 1939, he served as the Minister of Public Health in the Madras provincial government.

Early life

Sundararajan was born in Nagapattinam 1880. He had his early education from St. Joseph's College, Trichinopoly and graduated in medicine from Royapuram Medical School, Madras. Following his graduation, Rajan moved to Burma

In 1907, Rajan sailed to England to pursue his higher studies. He obtained his M.R.C.S. degree in 1911 and worked in the Middlesex Hospital. He was an acclaimed surgeon and physician. On his return to India in 1914, he met Rajagopalachari and joined the Indian National Congress. He participated in the agitations against the Rowlatt Act and was jailed for a year.

Rajan served in a number of party posts in the Indian National Congress over the years. He served as the General Secretary of the Congress and as the President, and later, Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee.

In 1934, Rajan was elected to the Imperial Legislative Council of India and served till 1936, when he resigned owing to differences of opinion.

In 1953, Rajan had an operation for appendicitis. Shortly after the operation, he died on 14 December 1953 at the age of 73.

Works