Gopalapuram, a locality in Chennai, owes its origin to the cooperative movement in colonial India. Established in 1923 by the Madras City Cooperative Building Society Ltd., it was named after its first president, N. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar. The cooperative played a vital role in providing housing facilities to government servants, particularly the working class, who faced challenges in investing in land. Gopalapuram’s development included the purchase of land, layout planning, and construction of buildings, along with the establishment of amenities like schools and a temple. Today, Gopalapuram stands as a testament to the success of the cooperative movement and the contributions of N. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar.