Unsung Heroes Detail

GK Sundaram was born in 1914 in Coimbatore. He completed a course in Textile Technology at Bolton in the UK. He was among the participants in the Salt Satyagraha in his school days. During the freedom struggle and later, GK Sundaram led the growth and development of the Indian textiles sector by introducing new technology in processing and manufacturing. GK Sundaram was associated with the Swatantra Party from its inception but joined effectively in 1960 and worked tirelessly in order to develop the Party through its ideals. He was behind the promotion of Suvin cotton, an indigenous variety of cotton in the country. It was because of his support, that the Extra Long Staple (ELS) variety of cotton was developed in India. He was against price control and had strongly advocated for a fair price for cotton in India, which was equal to the international market price. GK Sundaram was the founder and president of the South India Cotton Association from 1978 to 1998. He was the chairman of the Southern India Mills Association from 1967 to 1969 and of the South India Textile Research Association from 1982 to 1998. He was president of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, from 1962 to 1986; and founder and president of the Coimbatore Management Association from 1955 to 1971 and Wind Power Producers Organisation. He was also the chairman of the Indian Cotton Mills Federation, now known as the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, from 1973 to 1975.