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Pollachi N. Mahalingam – an inspiration as a multi-faceted pioneer!
N. Mahalingam Gounder (March 21, 1923 - October 2, 2014) was the Chairman of Sakthi group of companies, educationalist, notable philanthropist and a prominent, influential person among the "Kongu Nadu" region of Tamil Nadu.
Early life
Nachimuthu Mahalingam gounder was born on 21 March 1923 into an affluent agricultural family. He obtained his B.Sc Degree in Physics at Loyola College, Chennai, in 1942. He joined the College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai and obtained his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in 1945. Became an AMIE in 1951, MIE in 1975 and FIE in 1981 of the Institution of Engineers.
He has been decorated with the Honorary Doctorate Degree by Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Anna University, Tamilnadu Agricultural University and Madurai Kamaraj University, for his outstanding contributions to the society.
Career
Mahalingam was initiated into politics very early in life. He was a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for 15 years — from 1952 to 1967— and played a key role in bringing about a number of development projects, including the PaParambikulam - Aliyar Project that helps irrigate the agriculture lands in the Pollachi region. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Indian National Congress candidate from Pollachi constituency in 1952, 1957 and 1962 elections.
The Sakthi Group of Companies is a name to reckon with as it has forayed into sugar, distilling, automobiles, finance, etc.
Honours and titles
The 90-year-old industrialist has served on the Board of Directors of several public sector undertakings and the State Planning Commission in two terms. A well-known philanthropist who donates towards the development of culture and sports, Mahalingam was involved in the establishment of the Institute of Asian Studies in Madras (now Chennai) in 1981. He received the Padma Bhushan from the President of India in 2007. Other honours include: *Honorary Consul : 1989-92 from the Government of Mauritius *Indira Gandhi National Integration Award : 1989 at the All India National Unity Conference, New Delhi *Aram Valarkkum Annal : 1983 from His Holiness Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakodi Peedam *Doctor of Laws : 1984 from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore *Doctor of Science : 1988 from Anna University, Madras *Doctor of Science : 2000 from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He is founder of many educational institutes from schools to autonomous institutions.Some of his educational institutions are Kumaraguru College of Technology-Coimbatore(
Spiritual life
Mahalingam had an important association with Sri Swami Satchidananda, the Indian swamiji who emigrated to the United States of America and founded the Integral Yoga Institutes. Mahalingam was a devoted follower of the Swamiji and contributed to the moral and financial causes of the Swamiji`s works in the USA, especially to the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS) ecumenical temple in Virginia.
Mahalingam was also greatly associated with Vethathiri_Maharishi and his teachings. He generously donated land for Temple of consciousness - Azhiyar.
Mahalingam was an ardent follower of Ramalinga Swamigal alias Vallalar.
On Gandhi Jayanthi , 2014 , While he was giving a speech about Vallalar at Chennai, his life came to an end
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