Draft:M Naganathan

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Elakkiyan Thilagan (talk) 11:03, 1 October 2025 (UTC)

---

Professor M. Naganathan

M. Naganathan was born as the sixth child to the couple A. Muthaiyan and Kannammal in Tiruvarur on December 24, 1946. He has three elder sisters—M. Sarojini, M. Anusiya, and M. Chandra, and two elder brothers, M. Narendran and M. Sudhaman.

School Education

He pursued his primary education at Tiruvarur from 1951 to 1954, his middle school education at Mayiladuthurai from 1954 to 1956, and from Class VI up to the final year of school (1956–1962) at Chintadripet High School in Chennai.

In the academic year 1963–64, he joined the Pre-University course at Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai, and continued his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Economics from 1964 to 1970.

Higher Education

In 1971, he joined the Department of Economics at the University of Madras as a research scholar for pursuing his Ph.D. programme. In 1975, he was selected as a Lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Madras. In 1976, he submitted his doctoral thesis on the topic "Union–State Financial Relations" and was awarded the Ph.D. degree in 1977. Dr. M. Naganathan submitted his D.Litt. thesis on "Dialectics of Federalism," in the field of Political Economy and received the degree in 2007. While continuing his service at the University, he enrolled in the evening classes of the Chennai Law College and obtained his Bachelor of Law degree in 2004. He pursued his Master of Law degree in Constitutional Law at the University of Madras and obtained the degree in 2006.

Teaching Career

In 1970, he began his career as an Assistant Professor at the Government Arts College, Salem. Later, he joined the Department of Economics at the University of Madras as a Lecturer, where he went on to serve as Reader, Professor, and Head of the Department. He rendered 31 years of service in the department and opted for voluntary retirement in April 2006. He was awarded by the University of Madras for his unblemished 25 years of service, a rare distinction in the academia of University of Madras. 27 scholars and teachers obtained Ph.D. Degrees and 102 students were awarded M.Phil. degrees under his guidance.

In recognition of his academic contributions, he was awarded the prestigious Indo-Shastri Canada Award in 1995 and served at the University of Montreal, Canada. In 1999, he participated and presented a paper in the first International Conference on Federalism held in Canada, which was attended by world leaders and eminent scholars.

He has served in the educational committees of various universities in India, contributing his insights for the development of education and advanced research. He has always been a strong supporter of social justice and the upliftment of students belonging to underprivileged sections of society.

He has acted as Chairperson, Coordinator, Honorary Director, and Member of various high-level committees of the Union and State Governments. He has also served as a member of the Expert Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Government of India from 1999–2004. During his tenure in the University of Madras, he has conducted more than 50 conferences, seminars, and lectures at the national and state levels.

Family

On April 30, 1975, a self-respect and inter-caste marriage between Muthaiyan Naganathan and Jamadagni Santhi was held in Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai, in a very simple way as preached by Thanthai Periyar. Jamadagni Santhi—granddaughter of the freedom fighters Anjalai Ammal and Murugappa of Cuddalore, and daughter of freedom fighter K. R. Jamadagni and freedom fighter Leelavathi.

The then Chief Minister Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi was present, along with Navalar V.R. Nedunchezhian and Professor K. Anbazhagan. Greetings and felicitations were offered by N.D. Sundaravadivelu, K.A. Mathiyazhagan, Murasoli Maran, Panruti Ramachandran, and Congress leader N.M. Manivarma.

Professor M. Naganathan and Professor Jamadagni Santhi have three sons: N. Muthulagan, N. Ezhilan, and N. Jegan.

Dr. N. Muthulagan and Sarada have two daughters, Yazhini and Oviya.

Thousand Lights MLA Dr. N. Ezhilan and Dr. Priyadarshini have a son, Prabhakaran, and a daughter, Thendral.

Engineer Dr. N. Jegan and Anandhi have a son, Dheeran.

Public Life

Dr. M. Naganathan has been a staunch follower of the Dravidian Movement since his college days. He has closely associated himself with all the stalwarts of the Dravidian Movement. His close association with Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi created an affectionate relationship during the dark days of emergency. Ignoring the threats of emergency Dr.M.Naganathan met Kalaignar everyday during morning and evening hours after attending University work. This led to the unique privilege of joining morning walks with Dr. M. Karunanidhi for more than two decades.

In the Legislative Assembly elections held in May 2006, Professor M. Naganathan contested from the Chennai Triplicane constituency on behalf of the DMK but lost. In 2006, when Kalaignar assumed office as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the fifth time, he invited Professor M. Naganathan to hold the post of Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Commission, giving Cabinet Minister status.

In 2007, the Union Government constituted a Commission under the chairmanship of Justice Punchhi to study Union–State relations.

In 2025, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, announced in the Legislative Assembly the constitution of a High-Level Committee to study Union–State relations, under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court Judge Kurian Joseph, with Professor M. Naganathan and Mr. K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty, IAS (Retd.) as members. This Committee is scheduled to submit its first report in January 2026.

Research Works and Books

Dr. M. Naganathan has shown keen interest in contributing to Tamil literature. He concentrates in his writings on matters relating to Indian Economy, Social Justice, Federalism, State Rights, Human Rights, and the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils. He has regularly contributed articles on potential issues of the State of Tamil Nadu and the nation in print and social media.

Professor M. Naganathan has authored many books in both Tamil and English in the fields of Public Finance, Federalism, Economic Thought, Social Justice, Constitutional Law Principles, and the Indian Economy.

In 1981, he published the book "Thoughts Blossomed in People's China." As the editor of the Tamil translations of Karl Marx's Capital and Surplus Value—translated by scholar K. R. Jamadagni—he released them first in Tamil in 1998 under the leadership of then Chief Minister Kalaignar.

In 2006, his book "Indian Economy – Light in Darkness" was published. In 2007, he wrote "Bharathi's Socio-Economic Thoughts." His D.Litt. thesis "Dynamics of Federalism in India – A Study of Socio-Economic Political Factors" was later published as an English book and released during the 150th anniversary celebrations of the University of Madras by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in the presence of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar.

He has authored the book "Astronomy and Astrology – A Social Study," exposing the illusion of astrology; the English translation of "Bharathi's Socio-Economic Thoughts"; and Tamil books including "Indian Federalism – Centralisation or Decentralisation?", "Justice or Fairness?", "Fire Traps", and "Growth? or Fall?".

In English, he has published "Economic Systems – A Comparison," "Elements of Fiscal Economics," "Tamil Nadu Economy – Growth and Prospects," and "Dravidian Political Economy."

He has authored over 100 research articles in both Tamil and English on a wide range of subjects, including Federal Finance, Planning, Social Development, Economic Reforms, International Economic Development, the Economy of Tamil Nadu, Social Justice, and Economic Theories.

He travelled to Switzerland to speak at a Human Rights Conference advocating for the rights of Eelam Tamils.

In English, he has disseminated and reflected on socio-economic ideas through radio, television, and social networking platforms. Professor M. Naganathan has undertaken study and lecture tours to countries including Singapore, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland, France, Hungary, Malaysia, Austria, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, Greece, Japan, and Vietnam, delivering speeches at various economic conferences.