Ekiri Sanjeevi Subramanya Raman (born 1 July 1954) is an Indian politician with the Tamil Manila Congress (States Treasurer) and was former MLA of Pallipattu constituency . He is a well-renowned diabetologist in his hometown Pothatturpettai. He represented Pallipattu in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 1996–2001 and 2006–2011.
Raman was born to E. S. Subramaniam and Saradha in Pothatturpettai in Thiruvallur district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. His grandfather Sanjeeviyar was the district board member during 1937 for the Chittoor district and the president of the local panchayat (unopposed). His father, a rationalist close to veteran Dravidian movement leaders Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and C. N. Annadurai, was a candidate on behalf of the Tamil People’s Party in the first post-independence elections in 1952, in which he lost to his nearest rival by 1,021 votes. He was instrumental in getting his younger brother Thyagarajan elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1971. Raman is the only son in his family; he has ten sisters. His family interests covered farming, textile and educational institutions.
After graduating in 1978 from Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, Raman was appointed by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission as a Medical Officer at the Government Primary Health Centre in his hometown.
He headed the Primary Health Centre from 1978 to 1988. Subsequently, he joined Madras Medical College to pursue his postgraduate studies. Later, he served as a faculty member at Stanley Medical College before resigning from government service to actively participate in politics.
During his tenure as Medical Officer, he implemented a low-cost sanitary latrine program known as RCAP. Under his leadership, 500 RCAP latrines were successfully constructed within his jurisdiction without seeking any financial assistance from the government.
In recognition of this unique achievement, the Government of Tamil Nadu nominated Raman for a World Health Organization (WHO) award carrying a cash prize of US $5,000. He was the first person to be recommended for this award.
Raman was district co-convener of the medical wing of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee from 1989 to 1996. He was a strong and loyal follower of G. K. Moopanar, political heir of K. Kamaraj.
After breaking away from Congress in 1996, G. K. Moopanar formed a separate political party named “Tamil Maanila Congress”, an outfit with regional interest and national fervor. Raman followed his mentor Moopanar and was fielded as the new party candidate for Pallipattu Assembly Constituency in 1996. Raman won successfully with a margin of 58,492 votes, making all his opponents lose their deposits.
Moopanar nominated Raman as the District President of his party (1998–2001). After the demise of Moopanar, his natural, legal, and political heir G. K. Vasan, the present Union Minister of Shipping, merged Tamil Maanila Congress with its parent organization “Indian National Congress” under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi in 2002. As a follower of Vasan, Raman was appointed State Organizing Secretary for Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (2002 to till date).
Raman served as the District Election Officer for Salem District and Election Observer for Coimbatore and Erode Districts (organizational elections) of Tamil Maanila Congress. After the merger with Indian National Congress, Raman was appointed as the High Command Observer for Thanjavur District by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
Raman was selected for the second time to contest in the Tamil Nadu State Assembly General Elections (2006) by AICC and won again representing Pallipattu Constituency. In 2009, he was appointed All India Congress Observer (Pre-Poll 2009) for Andhra Pradesh by Sonia Gandhi for three parliamentary constituencies and 21 assembly constituencies. His observations proved nearly 100% successful, and he was widely appreciated.
Raman was instrumental in introducing the mini-bus scheme in Tamil Nadu. During his tenure as MLA (1996–2001) and (2006–2011), Pallipattu constituency witnessed major development including establishment of Taluk Office, fire stations, civil court, petrol bunk, gas supply stations, higher secondary schools, new highway sub-division, 24×7 three-phase electricity supply, and new electricity substations.
Raman has authored several books in Tamil, including Isaipada Vazhvoam, Paalvinai Noigal, Neerizhivu Noyalikku Vazhakai Muraigal, Naalvar Sutriya Naangu Nadugal, Maruthuvathin Maru Pakkam, and Padhivugal.
His book on diabetes received the First Prize from the Government of Tamil Nadu for the Best Medical Tamil Book. The award was presented along with a cash prize and citation by the then Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran. The same book was later released as an audio cassette by AVM Studios in 1983, an innovative initiative at that time, designed to benefit patients who preferred listening over reading.
Raman also authored a biographical work on G. K. Moopanar in poetic form, enriched with rare photographs of the leader.
He has contributed numerous articles to prominent Tamil dailies and periodicals, including Dinamani, Daily Thanthi, Kalki, Manavam, Desiya Murasu, and All India Radio. He was a regular columnist for Junior Vikatan and Kumudam Reporter, writing critical analyses of Tamil Nadu Assembly proceedings for three consecutive years (2006–2009).
In addition to writing, Raman worked as a cover artist and illustrator for magazines such as Alai Osai, Murasoli, and Vanoli. As a broadcaster, he had the rare opportunity to deliver a tribute to the renowned Congress leader K. Kamaraj on the day of his demise.
Raman has travelled extensively both within India and abroad. In 1984, he toured Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, later publishing a travelogue based on his experiences. He visited Malaysia and Singapore multiple times thereafter. In 2011, he travelled to the United States to participate in the inauguration of a new Joslin Diabetes Center in Pontiac, Illinois.
Raman has established educational institutions in his home town in memory of his father (1909–1977). ESSM Teacher Training Institute, ESSM College of Education, and ESSM College of Arts and Science serve the needs of the locality and particularly benefit the education of women.