Dr. Chempakaraman Pillai: The Visionary Who Gave India “Jai Hind” | From Kerala to the World |
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
The words “Jai Hind” are more than a greeting. They are a salute to the spirit of India, a blessing for the land, and a call to unity for her people. Today, this phrase resounds in schools, in Parliament, on national days, and in moments of collective pride. Few remember, however, that this timeless salutation was first given to India by Dr. Chempakaraman Pillai, a son of Kerala who lived and worked in distant lands with only one dream before him—the freedom and dignity of his motherland.
Roots in Kerala
Chempakaraman Pillai was born on 15 September 1891 in Thiruvananthapuram. From his childhood, he displayed a curious mind and a keen sense of justice. His early years coincided with a period when the call for national awakening was slowly spreading across India. Inspired by this spirit, he began to nurture the thought of a free and united country.
A Journey Abroad
As a young man, Pillai travelled to Europe in search of higher learning and broader opportunities. He studied engineering and economics, excelling in both, but his deeper interest always remained in the cause of India. In Europe he found an environment where he could meet like minded Indians and friends from other nations who supported the idea of liberty.
He formed circles of dialogue, published writings, and created platforms where the Indian voice could be heard with dignity. His work attracted attention not only from Indian expatriates but also from scholars, thinkers, and leaders abroad who respected his vision.
An Early Foreign Minister
In 1915, Pillai was invited to serve as the Foreign Minister of the Provisional Government of Free India set up in Kabul. Though it was symbolic in nature, the very idea of a government representing India outside its borders carried immense meaning. It showed that Indians were ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with other nations and to claim their place in the world community. Pillai played a vital role in presenting India’s aspirations in this early experiment of self representation.
The Gift of “Jai Hind”
Among all his contributions, the one that shines brightest is the creation of the salutation “Jai Hind.” These two words were his gift to the freedom movement. They are simple, yet carry the strength of centuries. They do not belong to any region, religion, or language but to all Indians equally.
Later, leaders such as Subhas Chandra Bose adopted Jai Hind as the greeting of the Indian National Army. With that, the words spread across continents, battlefields, and finally into the heart of independent India. Even today, when the nation rises to salute its flag, the echo of Jai Hind unites millions in one voice.
A Life of Dedication
Pillai spent most of his years in Europe, often working quietly and away from recognition. His efforts to keep the cause of India alive in international circles were tireless. He engaged with scholars, leaders, and ordinary people, always reminding them that a great nation was waiting to take her rightful place among free countries.
Although he passed away in 1934 in Berlin, his wish was to return to his homeland. In 1966, his ashes were finally brought back and immersed in the Karamana River in Thiruvananthapuram, fulfilling his long cherished dream of resting in the soil of his birth.
Remembering a Visionary
Dr. Chempakaraman Pillai may not be widely remembered, yet his role as a thinker, organiser, and pioneer was significant. He understood that India’s struggle was not only a local matter but also a cause that had to be explained to the world. He stood as a bridge between India and the global community at a time when communication was slow and distances were vast.
And above all, he gave India a word that became immortal. Jai Hind is his enduring legacy, a phrase that inspires every generation and binds the nation together in hope and pride.
The story of Dr. Chempakaraman Pillai reminds us that some work quietly in faraway lands, sowing seeds that grow into mighty symbols of unity. The next time we say “Jai Hind,” we are not only expressing our love for the nation but also honouring the memory of the visionary who first gave us these words.
