Periyar was the Prophet of the new Age, The Socrates of South East Asia, Father of the social reform movement, and arch enemy of ignorance; Superstitions; meaningless customs and base manners.
His contribution was significant for the success of Vaikom agitation, the first major peaceful struggle in modern India for social equality.
Periyar E.V.R. is the senior most Indian rationalist, atheist and humanist of twentieth century.
Periyar E.V. Ramasami, was born on Sept. 17, 1879 at Erode in Tamil Nadu. He left school at the age of ten and joined his father in business when he was twelve.
His tireless, fearless and unparalleled efforts to end caste system and to transform society, with no trace of birth-based discrimination, on enlightened basis was unique in the annals of history.
He made immense sacrifices while participating in the Non-cooperation movement and carrying out the constructive programme.
Founder of Self-respect movement (1925) and Dravidar Kazhagam (1944), Periyar spread the principles of human dignity, rationalism, gender equality and social justice. It was due to the popular agitation organised by him, the Constitution was amended for the first time in 1951 to provide reservation for the socially and educationally backward classes.
He educated people through his writings and speeches to think freely and judge everything in the light of rational thought, experience and social good. The UNESCO aptly described him as the prophet of the New Age. He endowed all his wealth and public donations for the cause of the humanity, creating a Public Charitable Trust.
Source: Web
Dear Children, The above article is from my reading. With Love, Naana.
