Freedom fighter, 101, dies in Trichy

Trichy: P

Rajadurai Michael

, a 101-year-old freedom fighter hailing from Trichy, passed away on Saturday. He had worked with

Netaji Subash

Chandra Bose and held various posts in government services like deputy director of rural development and director of Agriculture Finance Corporation in Mumbai. Born to

Ranger Packinathan

Michael and Sornammal on January 24, 1921, Rajadurai Michael settled in Trichy in 1982 after retiring from various services. He worked alongside Netaji and was arrested for his participation in the Quit India movement. He was also shot by police while escaping from British arrest warrants, said Chandra Ganapathy, a relative. He was part of the first batch of BDOs of Tamil Nadu and former director of action for food production and former principal of orientation and study centre, Mysuru. He did his Masters in Economics from Cornell University in 1963, presenting his thesis in agricultural extension. He has received several accolades including Tamirapathra and Malcolm Adisesaiah awards.