Chennai: Chetpat Pattabhirama Ramaswami Iyer, popularly known as 'Sir CP', or simply CP, was an able lawyer, efficient administrator and astute politician.
The C P Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation was established on 14 October 1966 at his ancestral home on Eldams Road, Alwarpet, after his death with the objective of serving the interests of the community at large and promoting Indian culture through research and development.
The road that links TTK Road with St Mary's Road was named in memory of this great person. This year it celebrates its golden jubilee. The foundation will also commemorate the 50th year of the demise of Sir C P Ramaswami Aiyar.
Ramaswami was born on 13 November 1879 to C R Pattabhirama Iyer and Seethalakshmi Ammal in Madras. Pattabhirama Iyer was a prominent judge and Ramaswami studied at the Wesley Mission School in Madras. On completion of his schooling, he joined the Presidency College in 1894 for his Intermediate course. Though Ramaswami desired to become an English professor, his father wished that he should become a lawyer and thus he chose a career in law.
Ramaswami Iyer practised law on his own and at the age of 31 he became the undisputed leader of the original side of the Madras High Court. During his tenure as a lawyer, he fought and won over 300 cases! He was offered the post of a judge of the Madras High Court, but he turned down the offer. However, Lord Willingdon, the Governor of Madras, nominated him as Advocate General of the Madras Presidency from 1920 to 1923. He was also selected as president of the First All Indian Lawyers Conference held at Allahabad.
He was the Dewan of the erstwhile Travancore princely State from 1936 to 1947. The famous temple entry proclamation, which gave Hindus of all castes and classes, including Harijans or untouchables, the right to enter Hindu temples in the State, was issued during his tenure.
Sir CP was the first person in India to suggest a plan for interlinking the rivers in the country and to introduce the midday meal scheme in the form of the Vanchi Poor Fund in Travancore to encourage poor children to attend school.
He was a leader of the famed 'Mylapore clique' which was powerful in the city and Presidency politics from the late 19th century and one of the founding members of the Mylapore Club.
The organisation named after him has grown over the years and has continued to serve the cause of education and culture. In an effort to further this, a library which would have over 20,000 books on Indian philosophy, culture, religion and arts is being opened, to commemorate the 50th year.
It is said 'CP believed in the power of education and how it can bring about great change' and that is still followed by the foundation.thanku news today.com
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