The virtues and sacrifices made by the freedom fighter G. Venkatachalapathy were recalled on the occasion of his 101st birth anniversary and the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Gandhi Niketan Ashram at T. Kalupatti near here on Friday.
Delivering the founder's day address, K. Kulandaivel, former Chancellor of Avinashilingam University, Coimbatore, said that his qualities served as a source of inspiration for the present generation of youngsters.
Despite having come from an illustrious family, Venkatachalapathy remained humble and joined the Indian freedom struggle at a young age itself.
He also wanted to work towards rural development and founded in 1932 the Village Workers' Association, he said.
This association was inaugurated by the Congress leader K. Kamaraj who went on to become the Chief Minister of Madras (Tamil Nadu). Venkatachalapathy also took part in the Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement called for by Mahatma Gandhi, said Dr. Kulandaivel.
R. Nagarajan, secretary of Gandhi Niketan Ashram, presented the annual report.
He said that Activity Based Learning and training through the British Council was being given to teachers of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
As National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has chosen the institute for a project to revive heritage schools, their training is given to students of Standard VIII.
K. Krishnaswamy, Director, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Madurai Division; R. Venkataswami, president of the ashram, N. Shanmugasundaram, treasurer; R. Kousalya Devi, Managing Trustee, Gandhgiram Trust, and V. Raghupathy, joint director of the ashram were present.
