The 141st Jayanthi of Thiyagi Subramania Siva, one of Bharat’s most fearless freedom fighters and spiritual nationalists, was commemorated on 11th October, 2025 at his birthplace, Vathalagundu near Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. The event, with the participation of 130 LCDPs along with their families from Chennai, Madurai, Salem, Thanjavur (Kumbakonam) and Dindigul districts, paid homage to him whose life embodied sacrifice, courage, and unwavering devotion to the nation despite severe personal as well as leprosy associated adversities.
Subramania Siva, a fiery orator of the Swadeshi Movement, inspired mass awakening against British rule in Tamil Nadu alongside V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar. The first political prisoner of Madras Central Jail, he later contracted leprosy during imprisonment at Trichy, yet remained undeterred by suffering, social ostracism, or travel bans. Through Gnana Bhanu and his spiritual writings on Sri Ramakrishna, Maa Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda, and Vedanta, he harmonised nationalism with spiritual wisdom. His life stands as a powerful example that a person affected by leprosy can contribute to society and the nation to the fullest of their abilities.
The programme began with Pushpanjali, followed by addresses from Chief Guest Thiru. M.S. Venkataraman, grandson of Subramania Siva’s brother, Special Guest Dr. V. Dharmalingam, Addl. Director of Rural and Health Services, Govt of Tamil Nadu, Thiru. R. Siva, Dr. S. Sivasubramanian, and Special Guest. Individuals and institutions serving the leprosy-affected community were honored for their dedicated service to LCDPs. The event also featured the release of the book “Glimpses of Inspiring Lives” by SAKSHAM and a benedictory address by Swami Arkaprabhananda, Manager, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madurai.
Prior to the event, a procession was organized in the morning through the streets and house premises where Subramania Siva had lived. On 9th and 10th October, LCDPs also visited sacred sites including Palani Dhandayudhapani Temple, Kanakkanpatti Moottai Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi, Rajakaaliyamman Temple, Bogar Siddhar Peedam (Thethuppatti), Patala Sembu Murugan Temple, and Bhuvaneswari Temple (Kambaarpatti) near Dindigul. Besides, they visited Weaving, dyeing and fabric printing factories in Chinnalapatti and the possibilities of initiating microbusiness among SHGs of LCDPs was explored.