Govindasamy Viswanathan (born 8 December 1938) is an Indian politician and the founder and chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology in India.[1][2]

G. Viswanathan
Chancellor, Vellore Institute of Technology
Assumed office
1984
Preceded byPosition established
Department of Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection, Government of Tamil Nadu
In office
November 1991 – May 1993
Chief MinisterJ. Jayalalithaa
GovernorBhishma Narain Singh
CabinetFirst Jayalalithaa ministry
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
1967–1977
Preceded byA. Jayarama Mudaliar
Succeeded byVenugopal Gounder
ConstituencyVandavasi Lok Sabha constituency
Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
In office
1991–1996
Preceded byT. R . Ganapathy
Succeeded byP. N. Subramani
ConstituencyArcot Assembly constituency
Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
In office
1980–1984
Preceded byR. Margabandhu
Succeeded byV. R. Krishnasamy
ConstituencyAnaicut Assembly constituency
Personal details
Born (1938-12-08) 8 December 1938 (age 85)
Kottakuppam, Vellore district, Madras State, British India
SpouseRajeswari (deceased)
Children4
ResidenceVellore
Alma mater
OccupationFounder and chancellor, VIT University
Websitehttps://bschool.vit.ac.in/dr-g-viswanathan/

Political career

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He served as a member of parliament from the Vandavasi Lok Sabha constituency for two terms after getting elected as a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate in 1967 and 1971. He was elected twice to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate from Anaicut constituency in the 1980 election[3] and from Arcot constituency in 1991 election.[4]

Early life and education

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Viswanathan was born in a family near Gudiyattam. He obtained a master's degree in economics from Loyola College and completed law from Madras University. His leadership skills were noticed by C. N. Annadurai and the DMK party chose him to contest the elections in 1967.

Career

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Currently, Dr. G Viswanathan holds these offices:

  • Chancellor, VIT University, Vellore
  • Chancellor, VIT University, Chennai
  • Chancellor, VIT-AP University, Amaravati
  • Chancellor, VIT Bhopal University, Bhopal
  • Chairman and Managing Trustee, North Arcot Educational and Charitable Trust, Vellore
  • President, Friends of United States[5]
  • Executive President, The Centenarian Trust, Chennai
  • Vice President, Thiru Vi Ka – Dr. Mu. Va. Educational Trust, Chennai
  • President, Universal Higher Education Trust, Vellore (NGO)
  • President, Indian Economic Association (IEA)
  • President, Education Promotion Society of India (EPSI) [https://epsiindia.org/]
  • President, North Arcot District Tuluva Vellala Association.

References

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  1. ^ "Vellore Institute of Technology founder gets lifetime achievement award from Society for Data Science". The Hindu. 20 January 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  2. ^ Service, Express News (11 November 2023). "VIT Chennai marks anniverseries of Vishwanatham, Ilakkuvanar". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  3. ^ 1980 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India
  4. ^ 1991 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India
  5. ^ "Friend of United States". friendsofus.com. Retrieved 10 June 2021.