Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India under R.N.I 53640/91
Vol. XXVI No. 01, April 16-30, 2016
The Ryans & Rajaji
by F.A. Ryan
Pioneers of Prohibition
Rajaji was born in Thorapalli Agraharam near Hosur in Krishnagiri District in his family house. It was from here that he launched the prohibition of alcohol movement throughout the Salem District in 1938 during British rule. On his request, the Government created a new post and posted J.C. Ryan, Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies at the time, as Special Development Officer to implement Rajaji’s prohibition policy and programmes to rehabilitate toddy tappers and ex-addicts.
This brought Ryan close to Rajaji, who, at the time, was only an advocate though a prominent Congress politician.
Ryan’s work was to wean alcoholics and habitual drinkers from their unsocial, uneconomic and unhealthy habit and rehabilitate them in gainful employment by promoting cooperative milk supply societies and societies for groundnut and tapioca growers, jaggery makers, handloom weavers and so on. He had to organise social gatherings and entertainment programmes, including sports events, musical concerts, magic shows and dance programmes. He was given a big staff and artists to carry out these programmes which included talks on the evils of alcohol by film stars, reformed addicts, social workers and prominent men and women.
In connection with his work, Ryan had to meet Rajaji several times in his village near Hosur, travelling from Salem in his second-hand Ford with a canvas top, driven by his faithful driver, Jaganathan. There were occasions when he took his family with him to give them an outing, dropped them at the big travellers’ bungalow at Hosur, and then went on to meet Rajaji.
I was seven years old then, when on one occasion I was asked to stay in the car and Father went in. Rajaji saw me beside the car playing marbles with the driver and he called me in and gave me biscuits and a banana. That was the first time I met Rajaji, not realising at that young age what a great man I was meeting. Thereafter, I had the chance to meet him on two other occasions.
My father and mother used to talk very highly of Rajaji, who did not interest me. I took him for a villager who spoke fluent English. I vaguely remember his family home.
When Rajaji returned to Madras as Chief Minister after having been Governor-General of Madras, I was a college student. Father remained his right-hand man and Rajaji nicknamed him ‘Pandit’ and often referred to him, even at public meetings, as ‘Pandit’.
While in Salem, Father was given the ‘Rao Sahib’ title and, later, when he became the chief of the Prohibition movement in Madras State, he was given the ‘Rao Bahadur’ title. Shortly after Independence, Father was promoted over six of his seniors, all Joint Registrars of Cooperative Societies, and selected for the Indian Administrative Services about four months before the IAS examinations were introduced. Thus, he became the very first IAS officer of India and the only IAS officer with two British titles.
Ryan and Rajaji became so close that Rajaji used to phone him now and again between 9.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. My brother, sister or I used to answer his calls and connect him to Father.
One day, butler Arokiam was talking on the phone and laughing aloud when I pulled the phone from his hand and found that Rajaji was talking. I apologised to Rajaji and rushed to get Father.
Mother too used to meet Rajaji during functions or meetings in Salem and in Madras thereafter. One of the occasions was the opening ceremony of Handloom Houses and the All India Handloom Export Marketing Society, which was founded by Father. Soon, thereafter, Handloom Houses were opened in several big cities of India and in many foreign countries – London, New York, Singapore and elsewhere.
When Father met Rajaji to give him the invitation for the wedding of my brother, Leo, Rajaji thanked him, read the card and said, “I will say a few words”, which Father did not expect. He thanked him and made the necessary arrangements.
The wedding was in the Loyola College chapel and it was the very first wedding held there. Governor Sri Prakasa was given a special seat in the sanctuary. The reception was in the adjoining Bertram Hall. While Father was waiting for Rajaji in the porch, the Chief Secretary, Ramunni Menon, and the Chief Justice arrived. As Father led them into the reception hall, he told me, “Son, watch out, Rajaji may arrive any time.” When he arrived I opened the door of the car and introduced myself and turned and there was Father standing behind me. Rajaji was taken to the main table where the bridal couple, some secretaries to Government, both from the ICS and IAS, and judges were seated.
Rajaji spoke for ten minutes on his association with the family of Ryans and blessed the married couple. The bridegroom, my brother, was at that time working as a manager in the Buckingham and Carnatic mills. He thanked Rajaji for his toast and blessings.
Prohibition was lifted by Chief Minister Karunanidhi on August 30, 1971, even though Rajaji met him in person at his residence and pleaded with him not to lift Prohibition. MGR allowed the sale of liquor when he took over as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Now, in 2015/16 politicians are again talking about bringing back Prohibition, which has become tool in their hands to win the votes of women who are the main victims of alcohol.
