SWAMINATHAN, SHRI R. V.  [Congress (1)—Tamil Nadu, Sivaganga, 1980]  s. of Shri Vellayppa Thevar; b. at Paganeri, Ramanathapuram District, August 5, 1910; married; Agriculturist, businessman, Political and Social Worker; Associated with Congress Since 1929; Union Minister of State for Agriculture since January, 1980; President and Secretary, Taluk and District Congress Committees for many years from 1930; Member, (i) Pradesh Congress Committee, since 1930, (ii) A.I.C.C., since 1934, and (iii) Working Committee of the Tamil Nadu Congress, since 1931; Vice President, Tamil Nadu Pradesh Congress Committee, 1967-69; President, Tamil Nudu Pradesh Congress Committee, 1969-71 and 1979; Member, Madras Legislative Assembly, 1946-57 and 1962-67; Member, (i) Fifth Lok Sahha, 1971-77 and (ii) Sixth Lok Sabha, 1977-79; Member, Indian Parliamentary Delegation, Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, New Zealand, 1965 and Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, Canada, 1966; also Indian Delegate to the International Agriculture Conference, Sweden, 1950, and U.S.A., 1975.  

Social activities:  As one belonging to the Thevar Community— a backward class and the single largest community in Tamil Nadu, which had suffered under the Criminal Tribes Act during British rule—took keen interest in the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1947-48 for the abolition of the said Act and thereby relieving the Thevar community from the clutches of that Act.  

Sports and clubs:  Member, Rotary Club, and many social clubs.  

Travels abroad:  Extensively travelled in Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway), Finland, many countries in Europe including Italy, France, Germany, Belgium and Holland, U.K., U.S.A.. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Fiji, Korea, Japan and many other Far Eastern countries.  

Permanent address:  44, Hakim Ajmal Khan Road, Chockikulam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.