Vaiko

Hailed as the Lion of Parliament, Vaiko is a prominent political personality in India and the founder and General Secretary of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Born as Vai Gopalsamy to Vaiyapuri and Mariammal couple on May 22nd, 1944, in Kalingappatti Village in Thirunelveli district, Vaiko spent his teenage years in his native. Vaiko joined St. Xavier's College in Palayamkottai to pursue his Bachelor's in economics. Vaiko has been a bright student from the beginning and excelled in both studies and extracurricular activities like elocution and drama.

He graduated with his Bachelor's degree with a Gold medal and pursued his Master's degree from Presidency College in Chennai. Post his venture into politics, he joined Madras Law College and completed his Bachelor's degree in Law. Vaiko got married to Renuka Devi on June 14th, 1971. The couple has three children together. They have a son, Durai Vaiyapuri, and two daughters, Rajalakshmi and Kannagi. Vaiko is a great public speaker and has excellent oratory skills. His ability to connect with the audience and his intonation in communication grabbed the eyeballs of many.

Vaiko's first political event was the anti-Hindi agitations that happened in 1964. He voiced his opinions against imposing Hindi in Tamil Nadu, which gave him massive recognition among politicians. In 1970, he joined DMK and became the youth forum organizer and Joint organizer of the DMK Student wing. In 1970, he contested the Kalingappatti Panchayat elections for the DMK party and became the President. Then, Vaiko competed for the Chairman position in Kurivikulam Panchayat Union and won. Eventually, Vaiko became an essential face in DMK and Tamil Nadu when he stood against India's Emergency period.

Vaiko has been the Member of Parliament - Rajya Sabha for three consecutive terms from 1978 to 1884, 1984 to 1990, and 1990 to 1996. After 23 years, he is serving as a Member of Parliament–Rajya Sabha in 2019. He is also elected as a Member of Parliament–Lok Sabha in Sivakasi constituency from 1998 to 1999 and 1999 to 2004. The significant part of Vaiko's political career was Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kalagam on May 6th, 1994. He always voices his opinions for the anti-Hindi agitations, Cauvery issues, Kudan kulam power plant protests, Katchatheevu issue, and Tamil Eelam issue. Besides, Vaiko is a renowned writer and philanthropist.