The Nation that has no consciousness of the past cannot give shape to a great and glorious future. Reclaiming our past and recapturing the Dharmic vision is important for the furtherance of our future, to help us emerge as a confident nation capable of playing its civilizational role. History was a tool used first by our colonial masters, then by their Nehruvian successors and the Left-Liberal cabal to colonize our minds and impede our rise from the abyss of a slavish mindset. The real motivation of our freedom fighters was to preserve and revitalize the Swa Consciousness or National Selfhood.
It is with this above perspective we should look at V O Chidambaram Pillai (VOC) launching of Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (SSNC) in 1906. Interestingly, at a time when India and many parts of Asia, Africa and South America were suffering under colonialism,
facing huge resource drain, and experiencing human misery, VOC envisioned a maritime Pan-Asian economic network.
“This company is not merely commercial in motive. These ships will help the British leave the country with their bags and baggage.” This powerful statement was made by V.O.Chidambram Pillai during a speech while explaining the objective of the Swadeshi
Steam Navigation Company.
Further, VOC launched the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (SSNC), with a ten-lakh-rupee capital raised through 40,000 shares, challenging the colonial government-facilitated monopoly of British India Steam Navigation Company (BISNC) in the trade route between Tuticorin and Sri Lanka. Initially, the company leased ships from the Bombay-based company Essaji Dodgibhoy. Following that, it leased a single large freighter from Sri Lanka before purchasing two French ships, the S S Galia and S S Lavo, which was capable of transporting 1300 passengers and 40,000 bags of cargo. The words ‘Vande Mataram’ were inscribed on the vessels. Though liquidated in 1911, what astonishes one is not only the way VOC toiled to create this company, which threw down an economic challenge to colonialism, but also his futuristic vision that was incorporated in the stated aims of SSNC, and among which we find the following:
- To train Indians, Sri Lankans and people of other Asian continental nations in training maritime industries and make them reap the benefits from such endeavours.
- To train Indians, Sri Lankans and people of other Asian continental nations in training in commanding and building ships
- To establish colleges for the students from India, Sri Lanka and other nations to train
them in navigation and ship building. - To create unity and achieve development for the people of India, Sri Lanka and other Asian countries through maritime trade.
- To install Indians, Sri Lankans and other Asian nationals as agents in various commercial institutions so that they can familiarize and train themselves in (transnational) commercial operations.
- It is very clear that the vision of VOC went beyond running a mere commercial Swadesi company and involved creating a transformational network, challenging the civilisational and economic dominance of the colonial world order that existed.
What is also clear from history is that the British realised the danger and went to extraordinary levels to suppress the budding movement. They threatened the share-holders, cajoled them and tried corruption. The BISNC also introduced very competitive rates and reduced its fare per trip to one rupee per person to drive Pillai's company out of business, causing the Swadeshi company to offer a half-rupee fare. The British company then ruthlessly began offering free trips to its passengers. Further, they jailed VOC and tortured him. Ultimately, SSNC got liquidated in 1911. But they could not erase the visionary fire that was ignited by VOC. In the chambers of the hearts of millions of Indian patriots through generations, that fire has been kept alive.
Thus, we find that VOC not only roused the people to fight against the British rule but also roused the national selfhood through the launching of Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company.
In short, we can say that V.O.Chidambaram Pillai, who was born on this day ie, 5 th September 1872, was an embodiment of National Selfhood.
Atmanirbhar Bharat or self-reliant Bharat is also similar to the vision of VOC. It is not a goal that can be achieved as an event but a mission that constantly renews itself with new challenges and opportunities. It involves not just economic capital and resources, not just knowledge capital and resources but also spiritual and social capital. It needs coordination of all these in the service of national renaissance.
