Tuticorin Port Renamed as V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust

The Indian Union Cabinet on 27 January 2011 approved the renaming of Tuticorin Port Trust as V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust. There had been demands from several quarters in Tamil Nadu to re¬name Tuticorin Port Trust as V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust. By renaming the port India paid homage to legendary freedom fighter, V.O. Chidambaranar who made significant contribution in India’s freedom struggle.

Ports in India are usually named after the city or the town in which these are situated. The Indian Government can however in special cases have renamed Ports after great leaders in the past.

Thiru V.O. Chidambaranar Pillai born on 5 September 1872 hailed from Ottapidararn near Tuticorin in Tamilnadu. As part of Swadeshi movement, he had started the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company. Under the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company he had procured two ships and launched the first indigenous Indian Shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo in the year 1906. He was a scholar in Tamil, a prolific writer, a fiery speaker, a trade union leader of unique calibre and a dauntless freedom fighter.