Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987. Born on January 17, 1917, in Kandy, Sri Lanka, MGR rose to immense popularity as a Tamil film superstar before entering politics. He founded the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 1972 after splitting from the DMK.

MGR became Chief Minister in 1977 and remained in power for three consecutive terms. His governance focused heavily on welfare schemes aimed at improving the lives of the poor. One of his most celebrated initiatives was the expansion of the nutritious noon-meal scheme for school children, which significantly increased school attendance and improved child nutrition.

His administration also introduced subsidised food grains, free school uniforms, textbooks, and welfare programmes for women and the elderly. MGR’s popularity stemmed from his image as a champion of the poor, cultivated through both his films and his policies.

Despite facing health challenges and political opposition, MGR remained widely admired by the public. His death on December 24, 1987, triggered massive public mourning across Tamil Nadu.