Ram Ratnam, Son of Y. Venkat Ratnam was born on 12 July 1937 and he lived at Aberdeen, Port Blair of South Andaman. He was popularly known as Ramu Mama in the city.
During the Second World War in March 1942, the Japanese landed at different spots of the Andaman Islands. They forthwith occupied the entire Andaman Islands. The prominent residents were the key persons to initially constitute the Andaman branch of the Indian Independence League in April 1942 following the path of Rash Behari Bose. The League members worked with the objectives of organizing, strengthening, and collecting funds for the League. They also motivated the people through extensive public meetings, cultural shows, patriotic songs, and dramas, etc. These activities helped in uniting the islanders and igniting in them a strong sense of nationalism against British imperialism. Under the aegis of IIL, different sister branches were formed. Ram Ratnam voluntarily joined the Cultural Wing of the Indian Independence League. He took part in the various functions of the Wing.
Meanwhile, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose arrived in the Andaman Islands on 29 December 1943. On 30 December at Gymkhana Ground of Port Blair, he hoisted the Indian flag for the first time in the history of India’s freedom struggle. On 31 December Netaji visited Browning Club, the then Headquarters of the League. Ram Ratnam and other League members were actively involved in all preparations for his visit and various functions including the historic flag hoisting ceremony.
After his departure, Netaji sent Major General Arcot Doraiswamy Loganadan to Andaman. He arrived on 18 February 1944 in the Andamans as Chief Commissioner of Azad Hind Government of Andaman and Nicobar Islands appointed by Netaji. He was accompanied by his staff consisting of Major Mansoor Ali Alvi, Lieutenant Mohammed Iqbal, Lt. Suba Singh, and steno-typist Mr. Srinivasa Shastri. They established the Azad Hind Government to carry out civil administration in the islands. The members of the Indian Independence League ( IIL) and the Indian national army ( INA) actively assisted the officials in their activities. Ram Ratnam died on 04 December 1990.