Arunai Friends Association

Arunai Friends Association
Registered (Regd No.90/1979)

By 1970 there were around 40 families in Chennai, belonging to Panta Reddiar community who came from the 48 villages, surrounding Tiruvannamalai in Tamilnadu, in which the community was found. The need for the members to meet periodically as a social group was felt by a few with foresight. There is a saying - "Coming Together is Bginning; Keeping Together is Pprogress; Working Together is Success"

Members of our community met on 10th November 1974 in Chennai and Arunai Association was formed under the Presidentship of dynamic and able leader late. Sri.K. Sivaramakrishnan, the then Deputy Director of Agriculture (click here to see the list of members met on that day). It was the initiative and effort of Sri. V.Kumarasamy, Sri.K.G. Bashyam, Sri.V. Panneerselvam and late Sri. S. Jayakumar S/o.K. Sivaramakrishnan ably supported by late. Sri.V.S. Duraiswamy, enterprising and benevolent business persons together with late. Sri.A.T.K. Narayanasamy Reddiar, Sri. B. Duraisamy Reddiar of Modern Cafe that the Association was able to successfully conduct benefit performance and contribute Rs.15,000/- to the Tiruvannamalai Panta Reddiar Chathira Nirvaga Sangam for construction of Meenakshi Kalyana Mandapam.

Arunai Association functioned as unregistered Association for five years and it arranged meetings of Members at least once in three months. Sri.N. Seetharaman (Who was called Sarkaria since he was a member of Sarkaria Commission) is notable for Simplicity, Humility, Commitment and Deep Interest in the welfare of our community. He was always a silent worker who never bothered about positions or power - really a noble person. It was under the leadership of such men that the Finances of the Association were sound. It is placed on record the distinguished services of Sri. K. Sivaramakrishnan, Sri.V.S. Duraiswamy, Sri.N. Seetharaman, Sri.K.G. Bashyam, Sri.B. Arunachalam, and Sri. V. Kumarasamy for the growth of the Association.