of state for Shipping and later, Communication and Information Technology til 2004. He was appointed as the secretary of the AICC by the INC president, Sonia Gandhi. Currently, as AICC secretary, he is responsible for Telangana and participated in the selection of Jana Reddy as leader of the opposition. Thirunavukkarasar was invited to inaugurate the Tamil Nadu chapter of Indian National Congress Overseas in New York, US. Achievements as State Minister (Tamil Nadu) Thirunavukkarasar was the Industries, Handlooms and Commercial tax minister in the Ramachandran cabinet while simultaneously being the deputy speaker of the assembly. He established Tamil Nadu Magnesite Limited (TANMAG) and Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited (TAMIN) to further exploration of mineral resources in the state. Thirunavukkarasar also established several State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOTs). Several paper and sugar mills were established by Thirunavukkarasar. Believing in human resource development through education, he established schools, arts and science college and polytechnics in the 1980s. He also built small dams in rivers and started hospitals and primary health centers. These were done while there was hardly any awareness about water storage and health care. Minister in the Government of India As shipping minister, Thirunavukkarasar considered maritime education as necessary for the shipping industry. He emphasised the importance of technology and scientific training and encouraged the National Institute of Port Management to train more personnel. He also inaugurated new premises for Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET). Congress relationship When Sonia Gandhi took over the presidency of Congress Party in 1998. In the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, MGRADMK founded by Thirunavukkarasar alligined with the Congress to face the polls. Thirunavukkarasar contested the Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency when several congress stalwarts refused to contest the election. Recently in the year 2017 he was appointed as the State President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and has in the past served as the secretary of the All India Congress Committee from 2010 to 2017. Film career Thirunavukkarasar briefly worked as film distributor. He scripted and produced the film Maruthu Pandi (1990) and appeared in lead role in Agni Paarvai (1992). Maruthu Pandi (1990) Agni Paarvai (1992) Personal life Su. Thirunavukkarasar married Jayanthi in 1978. They have three sons and two daughters. References 3. http://www.outlookindia.com/printarticle.aspx?203657 4. http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19980305/06450164.html 5. http://www.rediff.com/news/may/21aiadmk.htm 6. http://www.rediff.com/%0D%0Anews/1998/feb/20second.htm 7. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sonia-gandhis-election-campaign-it-is-a-spectacle-from-start-to-end/1/263584.html 7. http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19970606/15750193.html 8. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/while-mgr-recuperates-in-us-aiadmk-heads-for-a-split-jayalalitha-gets-a-rude-shock/1/353861.html External links Profile on Rajya Sabha website Living people 1949 births Bharatiya Janata Party