MVD's Early life

Shri. M.V.Duraiswamy was born on 25th october 1909, to Shri.Velumayil maesthriyaar and Smt.Pathaamaal in Melapalayam,Tirunelveli District,Tamilnadu State, his native place. He was the eldest son of the family and his father was a small land owner. His mother was a house wife. He was the first son of the first wife of his father, as his father had three more wives. He was the eldest among all the children of his father and hence responsibility thronged on his shoulders very early. He didn’t shy away either and did all his work with utmost love and care and took care of all his brothers and sisters with elderly care and affection. He showed equal love and affection towards his own siblings and step-siblings. Hence such a family situation crafted an egalitarian in him so early. He did his initial schooling in Palayamkotai in Tirunelveli. His mother loved him so much, but it didn't last long as she expired due to illness when Shri.MVD was 11 years old. Hence after this, he moved to Dharavi,Mumbai, where his family since right through the period of his great grandfather have been inhabitants. Few centuries ago, his predecessors migrated to Dharavi, in search of work. Traditionally, all migrated Tamilians work in tanneries and other newly developing western industries for their livelihood. Shri.Duraiswamy was no different either as he joined as a helper in a tannery at tender age of eleven. The then prevailing stringent and acute economic conditions forced him to abandon his studies in order to eke out a living to sustain himself and to support his family. His childhood was both of roses and thorns, but the greatest quality of him was he never complained and crossed all the storms against his way with ease.