Golden Sayings of Periyar

Periyar identified himself indistinguishably with the masses. His time, effort and thought were totally devoted to the task of bringing about an awakening among them, to set them thinking. In the 93rd year of his life, he travelled for 183 days and delivered 249 speeches; in the 94th year, he toured for 177 days and delivered 229 speeches. A life so active physically and mentally in so advanced an age is truly rare in human history.
After 50 years of tireless striving, hard struggle and massive educational efforts through speeches, writings and demonstrations, he left behind him a society vastly different from the one he inherited - more alert, more questioning, less gullible, better educated, more modern and in general closer to the take off point for a state of living that would be richer in all respects.