Vallinayagan Olaganathan Chidambaram commonly known by his initials V.O.C. was a famous lawyer, a noted Tamil scholar, and a fearsome freedom fighter. He was one of the most influential and inspiring freedom fighters of the Indian freedom movement.

V. O. Chidambaram Pillai was born on 5th September 1872 in Ottapidaram, Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu State of India. VOC was graduated from Caldwell College, Tuticorin.

He has the honour of launching the first indigenous Indian shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo with the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company. This company competed against British ships. Tuticorin Port Trust, one of India's thirteen major ports, is named after him. He is also known as Kappalottiya Tamilan or The Tamil Helmsman in Tamil.

To honour him India Postal Department has issued 20 Paise commemorative postage stamp in 1972.

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