Shri.T.K.Divakaran, veteran trade union leader, who dedicated his life to organise the labourers, and raised his voice for their rights, was born on 5.12.1920 as the son of Shri.Krishnan and Smt. Nani. Immediately after his school education, he began to get involved in trade union activities. He associated himself with UTUC, the trade union wing of RSP along with leaders like Shri.R.Sreekantan Nair. A founder member of KSP, Shri. Divakaran joined RSP in 1947 and had undergone imprisonment for a
long period, in connection with the Punnapra-Vayalar Struggle in 1947 and the Cotton Mill Strike in 1949.

Shri. Divakaran had been elected to the Travancore - Cochin Legislative Assembly, in 1952 and 1954. During his tenure in TCLA, he was the Deputy Leader of opposition parties. He was also the Chairman of Estimates Committee in TCLA.

Shri. Divakaran became elected to the 3rd and 4th KLA from Kollam Constituency as RSP member. In the Ministry headed by Shri. E.M.S.Namboodirippad, he was the Minister for Works from 6.3.1967 to 21.10.1969 . And in the Ministry headed by Shri.C.Achutha Menon, he handled the portfolios of Works and Tourism from 4.10.1970 till his demise on 19.1.1976 while serving as Minister.

In the course of a long public life, he was the Chairman of Kollam Municipality and had served as Member and Vice Chairman of Coir Board. He also held important positions in RSP, including serving as the President of UTUC.

His wife is Smt.Devayani and they have 5 daughters and 2 sons including Shri.Babu Divakaran, the Minister for Labour in the Oommen Chandy Ministry.

The Assembly paid its homage to Shri. T.K. Divakaran on 16.2.1976.