R. Sankar (30 April 1909 – 7 November 1972) was an Indian politician who was the third Chief Minister of Kerala from 1962 to 1964. He was also the Deputy Chief Minister of the State from 1960 to 1962. Sankar apart from as a politician is known as a statesman, administrator, orator, educationist, writer and editor. Early life He was born to Raman Panickar and Kunchaliamma on 30 April 1909 in Kuzhikkalidavaka village in Puthoor, Kollam district. He did his formal education in the Puthoor Primary School and later continued in an English School in Kottarakkara. In 1924, he joined Maharajas College (present University College) to gain a degree in Chemistry. He was supported financially for his education by a wealthy relative, as his father could not afford the expenses. He also worked as a teacher for a short span of time before he moved to the Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram in 1933. His appointment as principal of Sivagiri High School made him associate with the activities of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP Yogam). He talked about the social injustice prevalent in those days, particularly the discriminatory attitude shown towards backward class communities, and also equal opportunities for backward classes. As the leader of SNDP Yogam and Congress Having started public life as a teacher and lawyer, he was drawn to freedom movement and became an active member of the Indian National Congress in Travancore State. After India’s independence he focused his attention on strengthening the Congress party. Later, he took a break from the Congress party and began to work in the SNDP Yogam. During his long association with the SNDP Yogam of over 13 years, he served as its General Secretary for over a span of 10 years and President and Chief of the SN Trust. Under his leadership the SNDP Yogam gave emphasis to the field of education and started many educational institutions. SNDP Yogam celebrated its Golden Jubilee year while Sankar was the General Secretary in 1953. As part of a year-long celebration he organised an Exhibition in Kollam which is marked in the history of the State as 'SNDP Kanaka Jubilee'. Sankar returned to the Congress and was elected to the Travancore-Cochin State Assembly in 1948 and stayed as a member of the State Assembly from 1949 to 1956. Sankar was member of the Constituent Assembly and also member of the Franchise and