V O Chidambaram Pillai (popularly known by his initials VOC), a great freedom fighter and who gave the first indigenous shipping service to Ceylon from Tuticorin, was remembered on his birthday today.

A large number of his followers and relatives paid floral tributes to the portrait and the bullock operated oil press he used while in captivity during British rule, kept in the Central Prison here.

His grandson, Tamilvanan, a senior official in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, who was present,reiterated his appeal to name the Avanashi Road in the city after his grandfather.
Besides, the oil press should be shifted to VOC Park in the heart of the city. A statue was also requested to be erected at the park, he said.

Though he had made this appeal already, he urged the Government to do the needful as a mark of respect to the freedom fighter, Tamilvanan said.