India, July 22 -- Over sixty years since he stepped down as chief minister of the erstwhile Madras State, the memory of K Kamaraj still persists in the collective consciousness of the state. In today's Tamil Nadu, he is cited more as a standard, a memory of a time when a different breed of leaders altogether walked the earth. His simplicity and integrity are eulogised in an era when public perception of politicians is "quite different," to say the least.

Kamaraj's admirers remain diverse- common people, politicians, industrialists and students- and his contributions to the state's development in sectors including education, economy, industry and infrastructure are far from forgotten.

The discerning reader may also note Kamaraj's shrewdn...