RmT Sambandham

RmT Sambandham (இராம.திரு.சம்பந்தம் in Tamil) or Irama.Thirugnanasambandham, Former Editor of Dinamani, a respected Tamil Daily of South India, born in a non descript village of Pudukkottai district of TamilNadu state in India. He died on 14-8-2007 at his residence in Chennai.As a Sympothiser of rationalist movement of EVR Periyar he espoused causes of social justice, Tamil rights, socio economic equality through Dinamani, in his capacity as Editor. He had been a symbol of bold journalism during his days as reporter of The Indian Express and as Editor of Dinamani later.

History

Born in Nerkuppai Village in Pudukottai district and educated in traditional school (called 'Thinnai Palli' in Tamil which was a system of school available in the past) and finished his BA from Madurai Thiyagaraja College.

In Periyar movement

Sambandham was attracted to Self Respect movement led by Rationalist leader Periyar EV Ramasamy from his college days and he him self became atheist and rationalist.

Career

He started his journalistic career From 'TamilNadu' news paper (which is not exist now) started by Karumuthu Thiyagaraja Chettiyar (later owned by Congress leader Dr. Varadharajulu Naidu). The paper which stood for majority Tamils while the much popular Sudesamithiran, which though fought for Indian Independence, identified with hegemonical Brahmins. Sambandham first worked for the paper in Madurai and then moved to Chennai (Then Madras) to work for the same paper.Then he joined "Indian News Service", a news agency conducted by late Ramnath Goenka, a media baron. After a short stint there he joined 'Indian Express', English News paper published by Goenka as reporter. Sambandham's Hard work, sincerity to profession and ethical approach won higher positions in the paper and he became Chief of News Bureau there.

As Dinamani Editor

After a short shffling in the administration of express group of publications administration following the death of Ramnath Goenka Sambandham become Deputy Editor of Dinamani and then ascended to become Editor of the paper in 1995. Made lot of changes in the identity of paper, respected one among Tamil News papers. Introduced lot of new journalists and he became expert in the art of generating good quality journalists despite he was notorious for his harsh behaviour with his subordinate journalists. He was sent out of the express group by the end of March 2004. Short while after this he was diagnosed with cancer. After struggling a few years with cancer he died on 14 August 2007. Chief Minister of TamilNadu state M Karunanidhi and several other political personalities condoled his death. Many news papers conferred lavish obituaries on him.