Chennai, Aug 17 (IANS) Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan paid tribute to former Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan at a memorial meeting in Chennai, marking the first anniversary of the leader’s death, and inaugurated the Ala. Ila Trust established in his memory.
Addressing the gathering on Sunday, Radhakrishnan described Ganesan as a leader whose public life was defined by tireless work, perseverance and unwavering dedication.
He said the memorial organisation would help preserve Ganesan’s legacy while carrying forward the principles that shaped his decades of social and political service.
The Vice-President welcomed the Trust’s decision to provide educational scholarships, saying support for young people was a fitting way to honour a leader who remained committed to public welfare and nation-building throughout his life.
Recalling Ganesan’s role during the Emergency of 1975-77, Radhakrishnan said he had strongly opposed the suspension of democratic freedoms and remained underground for nearly a year.
His determination and organisational work during that difficult period were extraordinary, he added.
Born in Thanjavur in 1945, Ganesan began his working life in the Revenue Department.
After nine years in government service, he resigned and became a full-time Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak in 1970.
Remaining unmarried, he devoted himself to organisational and public work, serving for years in different parts of Tamil Nadu.
Ganesan later played a significant role in expanding the Bharatiya Janata Party’s organisation in Tamil Nadu, particularly from the early 1990s.
He served the party in several senior capacities, including State organising secretary, national secretary, national vice-president and Tamil Nadu BJP President.
Known as an experienced organiser, Ganesan worked to strengthen the party’s grassroots network in a state where it then had limited political presence.
He entered Parliament as a Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh in 2016.
Ganesan was appointed Governor of Manipur in August 2021 and also held additional charge of West Bengal in 2022.
He took office as Governor of Nagaland in February 2023 and continued in the position until his death in Chennai on August 15, 2025 at the age of 80.
Apart from politics and administration, Ganesan was known for his interest in Tamil language and literature.
He founded Pottramarai, an organisation intended to encourage Tamil scholars and promote literary engagement.
Speakers at the memorial remembered his simplicity, discipline and ability to maintain cordial relations across political and regional lines.
–IANS
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