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| Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah and Mid-day Meal Scheme |
I always wonder why one of the greatest sons of this soil, Perunthalaivar Prof. M.C. Rajah's name has been neglected in the pages of the history. He might had a different approach as the Scheduled Classes was given less representation by the Minority Pact of 1931. I have already clarified the stand of Prof. MC Rajah and Dr. BR Ambedkar regarding this one. You may read this link: Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Today we are proudly talking Tamil Nadu is a pioneer in introducing mid-day meal programmes in India. In 1925, Mid-day Meals was given at selected corporation schools in Madras for disadvantaged children. It may be noted as one of the achievement of the Justice Party for this reform. But Why 'Perunthalaivar M.C. Rajah' name has been neglected although he was the pioneer of Mid-day Meal Scheme in India?
Let we see the Historical Background:
In 1868, France introduced the scheme of feeding the school children at the Government expense. On 29 March, 1919, the British Government formed a separate department for the welfare of the Scheduled Classes (then depressed classes) called ‘Labour Department’. George Paddison was appointed as the 'Protector' of the Labour Welfare Department. In 1920, he was designated as the Labour Commissioner. Labour Advisory Board was created, with one European, one Brahmin and one Scheduled Classes member. The first Board was constituted by Gilbert Slater, Ramanujachariyar and Prof. M.C. Rajah.
This Labour Department has historically been associated with MC Rajah. In fact, he was instrumental in creating the Special Department called the Department of Protector of the Depressed Classes or the Labour Department for the protection of the interests of the then Depressed Classes in Madras Presidency. In his maiden speech or the first voice of the Scheduled Classes of India in the Central Legislative Assembly in 1927, he insisted for the establishment of the Labour department for the various provinces in India.
While the Commissioner encouraged the education of the Scheduled Classes, the Department of Education offered the scope for the Non-Brahmins to have scholarships in order to promote their education. It was because of Perunthalaivar M.C. Rajah's influence as a member of Labour Advisory Board, the labour school started for the Scheduled Class provided mid-day meal to them for the first time in India. So, it is obvious that even before the formation of the Justice Government in the Madras Presidency, the welfare of the Scheduled Classes was taken care and protected by the British Government. It was the achievement of Perunthalaivar M.C. Rajah. Later the Mid-day meal scheme was introduced in 1920 by the Madras Corporation with the approval of the legislative council, as a breakfast scheme in a corporation school at Thousand Lights, Madras. Later it expanded to four more schools.
"I suggested in the Madras Legislative Council that a MEAL at MIDDAY might be provided for the poor children in the Government Elementary Schools."
~ Perunthalaivar Prof MC Rajah.
Due to the poverty, the Scheduled Classes were unable to afford higher education. Since mid-day meal was one of the hurdles to the Scheduled Classes children for getting education. In 1922, 1923 and 1925, he demanded this scheme to all the Government-run schools. At the end of the year 1922, M.C. Rajah suggested in the Madras Legislative Council that the Mid-day meal scheme should be provided for the poor children in the Government Elementary Schools. It was placed before the Finance Committee in which there was a majority of members belonging to the Justice Party. The Finance Committee did not recommend the scheme for adoption because it cited huge expense i,e the total expenditure estimated by the director of public instruction was about 67 lakhs rupees per annum. Next year, he wanted to know in the council as to what has happened to the Scheme. Education Minister Patro replied that the scheme had been dropped. [G.O. No. 704, Law Education (21 March 1923)].
Perunthalaivar MC Rajah gave more importance to education. He was of the view that the Scheduled Classes should be given liberal education. Elementary education ought to be made compulsory and provision should be made in schools for providing the children of the classes with a square meal in the middle of the day. He declared that compulsory education was a must, not only for boys but also for girls. Universal Education is the interests of political, social and economical progress. He took great interest in girls education.
In order to raise the scholarships of the Scheduled Classes students, M.C. Rajah moved another resolution in the Madras Legislative Council on 26 February 1923, demanding an increase in the number of scholarships. It should be doubled on par with the cost of living. But the education minister opposed, that the poverty was not the monopoly of the Scheduled Classes. This resolution was not moved. Meanwhile the government of Madras was analyzing that the Mid-day Meal Scheme is better than the distribution of scholarships. The matter was discussed and accepted in the cabinet and introduced the scheme first at Tanjore and East Godavari district by the government of Madras.
So, Perunthalaivar M.C. Rajah was the pioneer of Mid-day Meal Scheme and this is the precursor to the free Noon Meal Schemes introduced by K. Kamaraj in the 1960s and expanded by M.G. Ramachandran in the 1980s.
Ambeth.
Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu.
Reference:
* Writings and Speeches [Madras Legislative Council] of Prof. M.C. Rajah.
* 'Morning Star M.C. Rajah' by Dr. G. Thangavelu.
More About Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah:
this article enlightening me about the service rendered by Perun thalaivar M.c.Rajah
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