Our History
Our Founder
Shri C.R.Lakshmikandhan, affectionately known as CRL, was an educationist who spent over five decades of his life for the welfare of students and teaching community. CRL the youngest among eight siblings, lost his father at a very young age and his determined to study well, as he felt that education was the only way to improve his family's situation.During his college life in Ramakrishna Mission's Vidhyalayam, Coimbatore, he learnt leadership skills, character development and involved in plenty of rural welfare activities. Late CRL completed his B.Ed in 1964, and began his journey as a teacher in RCT School, Chidambaram , the same school where he studied.
From 1968-78, every year, he personally organized a '30-day Summer Course in English Grammar' for rural kids. CRL himself being from a rural background knew the importance of English language skills. Teachers' Association members unanimously chose CRL as their representative to contest in the 1978 & 1984 MLC elections. Was jailed thrice while protesting for teachers' welfare on various occasions as 1972,1973 & 1985. Apart from his recent books, CRL who wrote a National award winning book 'NalvazhakkaiMuthukkal' during his college days. He was the editor of 'KalviMedai' and 'AasiriyaPirachanai' magazines.
As a child the opportunity for CRL to meet extraordinary people like Periyar, Bharathidasan, NavalarNedunjezhian and participation in the Gandhian discussions at the local 'Gandhi Mandram,' (which continued till death), sowed seeds for for a patriotic, socially responsible educationist in him. And today, the seeds has grown into an enormous trees in the form of Kamaraj Institutions.
Founder's Parents
N.M.RAMASAMY
R. KUPPAMMAL
Thiru Ramasamy, a wealthy textile business and an affectionate father unfortunately died while our founder was as young as 10 years old. His mother Kuppammal , a strict bold woman struggled to raise her children. She too did not live long enough after which until his last days our founder stayed close to his parents only through the prayers that he sincerely offered in silence without a day being missed. As a tribute he founded the Kuppammal-Ramasamy Educational and Cultural Trust that runs his first founded school, in Chidambaram town, through which the names of his parents are remembered.
Perunthalaivar Kamarajar
Perunthalaivar Kamarajar was our founder's most favourite Indian leader who inspired him even as a college student to work in the 1969 Parliament by-elections in Nagercoil in the support of Kamarajar. The unassuming personality of Perunthalaivar, his proficiency in any subject despite not receiving formal school education and courageous leadership influenced to name all the schools founded by Thiru Lakshmikandhan , after Kamarajar. Whenever Thiru CRL recalled his meetings with Kamarajar he would never miss to mention the motivational phrase 'Ungalal mudiyum ne' often uttered by karma veerar which means 'you can do it brother' whichwas Perunthalaivar's way of motivating the personnels to perform efficiently.
Selvam Memorial Trust
Selvam Memorial Trust was formed by Thiru C.R.Lakshmikandhan in the year 2014 in the fond memory of his much loved nephew and son-like , Thiru S.Selvam , who served in Annamalai University since 1980 in various ranks and retired in 2012 as a Public Relations Officer. He won the senate elections twice with a phenomenal number of votes, strived relentlessly towards the development of Annamalai University , won the confidence of authorities and lived up to his loyalty until the last breath. Despite the influential position that he achieved in Chidambaram town Thiru . Selvam forever remined humble and kind hearted making him a favorite person to most people both in and out of the university circle even today.