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| T.T. Vasu, The Father of Family Planning in India. |
I have seen this person, a couple of times at The Music Academy, when I went for the December classical music concerts. My husband said that this person was the son of TT Krishnamaachari, the Union Minister during Pt.Nehru's time. He was at the helm of administration of the Music Academy. Now, after reading the Hindu article, I googled about him. This article said:
CHENNAI: The industrialist T.T. Vasu, who passed away on Tuesday a few weeks after his 76th birthday, has been lauded as a versatile personality, one who excelled not only in promoting business and industry but also art and culture. Born on April 24, 1929, the last of the four sons of T.T. Krishnamachari, who served as Union Minister of Industries and Commerce and Finance, Mr. Vasu grew up to inherit his father's capacity and interest in several fields, funding and sponsoring projects that marked his space in the realm of business, philanthropy and classical arts. He also contributed in large measure to the promotion of health care, travel and communications.
This article is very interesting. I had never known this fact about Mr. T.T. Vasu. Have a look at the article:
‘The Father of Family Planning’
It
was 50 years ago that another ‘make in India’ venture got going. It was
the first condom-manufacturing plant to be set up in the country. It
was a joint venture between London Rubber of the U.K., manufacturer of
the famed Durex condoms, and the TTK Group which had been importing the
brand. T.T. Vasu was in charge of the project and before the project
could be approved and the plant set up in Madras, he had a problem on
his hands; a Central Government committee, set up to examine whether
India needed family planning, felt that manufacture of contraceptive
measures in the country was not necessary.
As
Vasu in typical irreverent fashion kept repeating over the years, he
went to Nehru in appeal and wondered what a bachelor, spinster and
widower knew about family planning. The three were, respectively, Ashok
Mehta, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission; Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Union
Health Minister; and Vasu’s father, T T Krishnamachari, Union Finance
Minister. In the event, London Rubber India’s plant was set up in
Pallavaram in 1967.
With sales slow to get
off the ground, the factory had little work till the Swedish Government
gifted the Government of India 85 million condoms for free
distribution. Vasu persuaded the donor to have the contraceptive
manufactured in Madras — and he played a key role in advising the
Government of India on how to distribute them as the 1970s were born.
Nirodh had arrived — and it was no wonder many in the know called Vasu
the ‘Father of Family Planning in India’.
A
similar Vasu story told in a recently released, rather frank biography
of him is of his wanting to set up a TTK plant in Madras to manufacture
on contract Pond’s cosmetics. Apparently, when the papers went up to
Rajaji, Chief Minister 1952-54, for approval to set up the factory in
Madras, Rajaji is alleged to have minuted, “Sita never used cosmetics; I
do not understand why Indian women need such products now.”
Off
Vasu went to Nehru and the Prime Minister is said to have told the
Industries Ministry’s Principal Secretary who brought him the file.
“Sita was a naturally beautiful woman and not many Indian women are
blessed like her, so they must have all the help they feel they need.”
And so, permission was granted to set up the plant — but Vasu took it to
Bangalore.
He brought it to a spanking new plant in Pallavaram in 1967, when there was a more sympathetic Chief Minister. In Tamilnadu!
I should have read about this before he died in 1975. I would have seen him at the Music Academy with more reverence. He looked like a very ordinary person then. But he was an interesting personality. Hope this deed of him (Family Planning), spreads.
I should have read about this before he died in 1975. I would have seen him at the Music Academy with more reverence. He looked like a very ordinary person then. But he was an interesting personality. Hope this deed of him (Family Planning), spreads.
Picture courtesy: here
15 comments :
wow! Interesting history I never knew ...thanks for sharing!
ASHOK: Thanks for the first comment, Ashok! You were fast!
This was news for me too and an interesting one!
Thanks for this interesting information. I did not know this before.
"Father" of family planning? Defeats the very purpose of condoms. (Hahaha. Attempted joke.)
Very informative post
I think, nowadays, the higher cost of living automatically becomes an inspiration for family planning. People in the cities at least cannot afford to have more than 2 kids!
Destination Infinity
SG: Father...Yes, it sounds funny for this subject! This was news for me too!
sm: Thank you, sm!
DESTINATION INFINITY: Yes! It should spread to villages, towns and reach uneducated people too. Though govt. is doing a lot already! Even the maids, drivers etc. in our complex have got only one or two kids nowadays. Not even 3, which is a good sign.
Informative post Sandhya! Wishing you and family a very happy New Year and Pongal
Interesting and informative
//a Central Government committee, set up to examine whether India needed family planning, felt that manufacture of contraceptive measures in the country was not necessary//
//“Sita never used cosmetics; I do not understand why Indian women need such products now.”//
Examples are many how objection for anything new comes from everywhere. The present is also no different. Anything new and people are up in arms. Those with vision are few.
Interesting post about someone I didn't know too much.
RAHUL BHATIA: Thank you, Rahul! Happy New year to you and your family too!
ONKAR: Yes, this was new news to me when I read in the paper!
SHAIL MOHAN:Though I have come across him a few times at the music academy, never knew this side of him. Media looks for negative news more than positive ones. Thank god, this is published now at least. I remember reading a few articles when he died but this news had not featured then as far as I remember.
Thanks for the info ! I never knew this.
Very informative article.We should actually know the brain behind such fruitful effort.Had there been no planning, what would have been the condition of India,some communities with awareness or in ignorance do not stand for it though?
Thank you for sharing it here.
RENU: Yes, it was news to me too!
RUDRAPRAYAGA: some communities with awareness or in ignorance do not stand for it though?....Yes. Thanks for the comment!
As a school going boy I used to watch the construction activities going on in ADYAR GATE HOTELS way back in 1970s and the project got delayed and was completed well behind the schedule. Fast forward after nearly 25 years had an opportunity to discuss about my company matters with hotel people and I told him as to how I was observing the hotel project in my school days. There after he was mentioning about TTVasu sir's vision and i was stunned. He was my favorite personality.His passing away was a real loss to the society.
SIVAKUMAR TS: Welcome to my space, Mr.Sivakumar! Thanks for the anecdote about Mr.TT Vasu. Great personality!
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