Ex-MP of Cong, K Thulasiah Vandayar, dies

Former Congress Lok Sabha member and educationist Krishnasamy Thulasiah Vandayar died at his home in Chennai on Monday due to age-related 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.
Being part of the well-known Poondi Vandayar family, landlords in the delta region, Vandayar is revered for his service to poor students through the family college AVVM Sri Pushpam College of Arts and Science at Poondi.He was a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi and close to former chief minister K Kamaraj.
In his condolence message, chief minister M K Stalinsaid the death of Vandayar was an irreparable loss not only to the delta districts but to the Tamil Nadu. The academic service rendered by Vandyar by providing free education to 1,000 students per year through their college made the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu also the land of knowledge and wisdom for the last 60 years, said Stalin.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko mentioned Vandayar’s sincerity in attending Parliament sessions. Vandayar had spent majority of his income on the development of the college where he had banned the practice of collecting donations from students, Vaiko said. Vandayar was a scholar in Tamil language and produced research papers in Tamil and English.
AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami also expressed their condolences. In their message, the AIADMK leaders consoled his brother K Ayyaru Vandayar who was elected an AIADMK MLA from Thiruvaiyaru constituency and given a ministerial berth in J Jayalalithaa’s cabinet in 2001.
President of TNCC K S Alargiri said Vndayar played a major role in the development of the Congress party.