C. Rajagopalachari (1879 - 1972)

Popularly known as 'C.R' and 'Rajaji', he served as the first and the last Indian Governor General (second Governor General of free india), Lord Mountbatten being the first. Rajagopalachari, a freedom fighter, statesman, shrewd political leader and author was born in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu. After obtaining a law degree from Chennai Law College, he practiced law in Salem.

He joined the national movement in 1919 and concentrated on social reforms. Rajaji gave up his legal practice to participate in the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhiji. He gradually became a trusted follower of Gandhiji and endured imprisonment on several occasions. He worked towards causes such as Khadi production, the eradication of untouchability, and communal harmony. He was one of the staunch supporters of entry of Harijan's into the temples. When Gandhiji was imprisoned, Rajaji took over the editorship of 'Young India'. He worked as chief minister of Madras Presidency from 1937 - 1939. After a brief period away from the Congress, he rejoined the party in 1946. He served as a member of the interim cabinet led by Nehru. He was the Governor of West Bengal in 1947 - 1948. He held the office of Governor-General of India from 1948 until the country became a republic in January 1950. Following the death of Sardar Patel, he became the Union Home Minister. In 1952, at Nehru's behest, he resigned from the Union cabinet to once again serve as the Chief Minister of Madras.

As differences of opinion intensified regarding corruption and nepotism within the Congress, as well as Nehru's policies, Rajaji started a new political party, Swatantra Party in 1959. He was opposed to the introduction of Hindi language in South India. He was the first to advocate that India needed a free-market economy. Although the Nehru government had opposed it, Rajaji's demand was eventually accepted after Manmohan Singh became Finance Minister. In 1967, the DMK came to power in Tamil Nadu by defeating the Congress, with the backing of Rajaji's Swatantra Party. He passed away on December 25, 1972. A good scholar and writer in English and Tamil, he translated Ramayana and Mahabharata into English and Tamil.