Former MP K Thulasiah Vandayar dies in Chennai

TRICHY: Former Congress Lok Sabha member and educationist Krishnasamy Thulasiah Vandayar died at his home in Chennai on Monday due to age-related health issues. He was 94.
Vandayar, who had represented Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency from 1991 to 1996, is survived by his wife, son T Krishnasamy Vandayar and a daughter.
Krishnasamy Vandayar, who is the president of Thanjavur District Congress Committee, said his father’s body was being brought to Thanjavur where the funeral would take place on Monday night.
Being part of the well-known Poondi Vandayar family- the landlords in delta region, Thulasiah Vandayar is revered for his service to the poor students through the family college AVVM Sri Pushpam College of Arts and Science at Poondi. He was a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
In his condolence message, chief minister M K Stalin termed the death of Vandayar as an irreparable loss not only to the delta districts but also to the entire Tamil Nadu. Stalin recalled that Vandayar had travelled to Delhi when he had been an MP using his own money instead of availing of the benefits entitled for an elected representative.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko mentioned Thulasiah Vandayar’s sincerity in attending the parliament sessions without failing a single day during his term as an MP. Vaiko stated that Vandayar was concerned about the poor. Vandayar had spent the majority of his income on the development of the college where he had banned the practice of collecting donations from students, he said.
Vandayar was a scholar in Tamil language and produced several research papers in Tamil and English, said Vaiko.