Poosapati Sanjeevi Kumaraswamy Raja (8 July 1898 – 16 March 1957) was an Indian politician who served as the last Chief Minister of Madras Presidency from 6 April 1949 to 26 January 1950 and first Chief Minister of Madras State from 26 January 1950 to 10 April 1952 and Governor of Orissa between 1954 till 1956. He was born in Rajapalayam in Tamil Nadu. Early life Raja was born on 8 July 1898 in Rajapalayam to Poosapati Sanjeevi Raja. His mother died when he was eight days old and his father when he was three. Raja had no brothers and sisters and was brought up by his grandmother. After schooling, Raja was connected with the Indian National Congress organisation at its every level. He took a prominent part in Panchayat organisations, local Board administration. He served as the President of Rajapalayam Union, the Panchayat court, the District Board of Ramnathapuram and the District educational Council among others. He was an uncle of military officer K.A.S. Raja. Political and social work The lives and writings of Annie Besant and Satyamurthy had great influence on his mind and character in his formative years. It was in 1919 that he met Mahatma Gandhi for the first time and started following with great interest the events in Gandhi's life. Gandhi's epic struggle in South Africa, the founding of the Ashram in Ahmedabad and the Champaran struggle made a profound impression on him and the utter simplicity of Mahatma's life also evoked his unbounded admiration. In 1932, he was arrested for disobeying the unjust laws. Thus Rajapalayam gained a distinct place in political map, the credit went to Raja's lead. In 1934, Raja won central legislature for constituency comprising Tirunelveli, Madurai & Ramanathapuram. At the age of 39, he entered the Assembly as M.L.A in C. Rajagopalachari ministry successfully contesting the 1937 election. He was elected as the leader of Madras Legislature Congress Party in 1939 defeating Dr. P. Subbaroyan by 105 to 89 in March 31, 1949 and took oath as the Premier (Chief Minister) of Tamil Nadu on April 6, 1949. Prior to becoming the Chief Minister he served as a cabinet minister under Mr. Prakasam formed in April 1946. He also served as the Governor of Orissa from 1954 to 1956. In all the years of his life, most of Raja's wealth was spent in helping the poor and in serving public