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{{Infobox person
{{Short description|Indian businessman}}{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
| name               = N.Mahalingam
{{More citations needed|date=February 2025}}
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1923|03|21|mf=y}}
{{Infobox Indian politician
| birth_place       = Kaniyur
| name = Mahalingam Nachimuthu
[[Udumalpet]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]] (now in [[Tirupur district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]),
| image =
Tamilnadu
| birth_date = {{birth date|1923|03|21|df=yes}}
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2014|10|02|1923|3|21}}
| profession = {{hlist|Industrialist|educationist|politician|philanthropist}}
| death_place       = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu, India]]
| birth_place = [[Pollachi]], [[Coimbatore district|Coimbatore]]
| alma_mater         = [[Loyola College, Chennai]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2014|10|02|1923|3|21}}
| occupation        = Founder & Chairman of [[Sakthi Group]]
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu, India]]
| alma_mater = [[Loyola College, Chennai]]
[[College of Engineering, Guindy]]
| office1 = Member of the [[Madras Legislative Assembly]]
| term1 = 1952 – 1957
| constituency1 = [[Pollachi Assembly constituency|Pollachi]]
| alongside1 = P. K. Thirumurthy
| predecessor1 = ''Office established''
| successor1 = ''Himself'' & K. Ponniah
| term2 = 1957 – 1962
| constituency2 = Pollachi
| alongside2 = K. Ponniah
| predecessor2 = ''Himself'' & P. K. Thirumurthy
| successor2 = ''Himself''
| term3 = 1962 – 1967
| constituency3 = Pollachi
| predecessor3 = ''Himself'' & K. Ponniah
| successor3 = [[A. P. Shanmugasundara Goundar]]
}}
}}
'''Nachimuthu Mahalingam''' (April 9, 1923 – October 2, 2014) was an Indian educationalist, industrialist, philanthropist and prominent person in Tamil Nadu. He was the Founder-Chairman of the [[Sakthi Group]] and the Former Chairman of [[Ethiraj College for Women]].


==Early life==
'''Nachimuthu Mahalingam''' (21 March 1923 – 2 October 2014) known by many as '''Pollachi N. Mahalingam''' was an Indian educationist, industrialist, philanthropist and prominent person from Tamil Nadu. He was the chairman of the [[Sakthi Group]], and [[Ethiraj College for Women]] between 1972 and 1980.
Nachimuthu Mahalingam was born on 9 April 1923 into an affluent agricultural Kongu Vellala Gounder family at Somanthurai Chittoor, Pollachi. He was born to P Nachimuthu, who started the Sakthi Group in 1921 by diversifying his traditional business of hiring out bullock carts to starting a passenger transport services.<ref>[http://www.rootstobuds.com/gounder/industrialists/]</ref> He had his school education at Pollachi.  He obtained his B.Sc Degree in Physics at [[Loyola College, Chennai]], in 1943.<ref>[http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/veteran-industrialist-pollachi-mahalingam-dies-at-91/862475]</ref>  He joined the [[College of Engineering, Guindy]], [[Chennai]] and obtained his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in 1945.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/business/veteran-industrialist-pollachi-mahalingam-passes-away/article6468429.ece]</ref>  Became an AMIE in 1951, MIE in 1975 and FIE in 1981 of the Institution of Engineers.


He has been decorated with Honorary Doctorate Degrees' by [[Bharathiar University]], [[Coimbatore]]; [[Anna University]]; [[Tamil Nadu Agricultural University]] and also [[Madurai Kamaraj University]], for his outstanding contributions to society.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Pollachi-N-Mahalingam-dead/articleshow/44297247.cms]</ref>
==Early life and education==


==Career==
He was born to a agricultural family, completed his B.Sc. in Physics from [[Loyola College, Chennai]]. Mahalingam was married to Mariyammal. The couple had three sons, Manickam, Balasubramaniam, and Srinivaasan; and a daughter, Karunambal Vanavarayar.<ref name=":0" />
Since his father Late Thiru P. Nachimuthu was a municipal chairman, Mahalingam was initiated into politics very early in life. Nachimuthu’s only son Mahalingam joined the Sakthi Group business in 1943 and helped grew the business to its current level.
 
N.Mahalingam  was a member of the [[Tamil Nadu]] [[Legislative Assembly]] for 15 years&nbsp;— from 1952 to 1967. He was elected to the [[Tamil Nadu legislative assembly]] as an [[Indian National Congress]] candidate from [[Pollachi (State Assembly Constituency)|Pollachi constituency]] in [[1952 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1952]], [[1957 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1957]] and [[1962 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1962 elections]].<ref>[http://eci.nic.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1951/STATISTICALREPORTS_51_MADRAS.pdf 1951/52 Madras State Election Results, Election Commission of India] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410001656/http://eci.nic.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1951/STATISTICALREPORTS_51_MADRAS.pdf |date=2009-04-10 }}</ref><ref>[http://eci.nic.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1957/StatRep_Madras_1957.pdf 1957 Madras State Election Results, Election Commission of India]</ref><ref>[http://eci.nic.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1962/StatRep_Madras_1962.pdf 1962 Madras State Election Results, Election Commission of India] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410002150/http://eci.nic.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1962/StatRep_Madras_1962.pdf |date=2009-04-10 }}</ref>
== Politics ==
Since his father Thiru P. Nachimuthu, was a municipal chairman, Mahalingam showed interest into politics at an early age. He was elected as the member of the [[Madras Legislative Assembly]] in 1952 as an [[Indian National Congress]] candidate for the first time at the age of 29. He was elected as a member for the same constituency in the consecutive elections 1956 and 1962. During his tenure, he provided Parambikulam-Aliyar project and various schemes for the welfare of Pollachi Constituency.
 
He served on the board of directors for several public sector undertakings and the State Planning Commission in two terms.


He counts himself lucky to have started business during the planning era in post-Independence India. After the banks were nationalised by the then Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]], this entrepreneur found it a big boon to start businesses and expand as more and more banks were ready to lend money easily.
In [[1967 Indian general election]] he was defeated by [[K. Ramani]] of [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPM]] in [[Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency|Coimbatore]] [[Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency|Lok Sabha constituency]].<ref name="results">{{Cite web |date=19 April 2009 |title=1967 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1967/Statistical%20Report%20Madras%201967.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320175222/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1967/Statistical%20Report%20Madras%201967.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2012}}</ref>


Today, the [[Sakthi Group]] is a name to reckon with as it has forayed into sugar, distilling, automobiles, finance, etc.
==Career==
Mahalingam joined the Sakthi Group business in 1943. After the [[Nationalisation of banks in India|banks were nationalised]] by the then Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]], Mahalingam began businesses and expanded, as more and more banks were ready to lend money easily. Today, the [[Sakthi Group]] has forayed into sugar, distilling, automobiles, and finance.


He served as the Chairman of [[Ethiraj College for Women]] between 1972 and 1980.
Mahalingam is the founder of many educational institutions, including [[Kumaraguru College of Technology]], Nachimuthu Polytechnic College, Sakthi Polytechnic College and [[Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology]]. He was involved in the establishment of Institute of Asian Studies in [[Madras]] in 1981.


==Honours and titles==
==Honours and titles==
 
{| class="wikitable"
Mahalingam 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 served as the Chairman of Ethiraj College for Women between 1972 and 1980. He 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.<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=July 21, 2015}}</ref> 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 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, Nachimuthu Polytechnic College, and Mahalingam College of Engineering.
|- style="background:#B0C4DE;"
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Issued by
!scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2007
| [[Padma Bhushan]]
| Government of India
|  <ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=July 21, 2015 | archive-date=October 15, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| 1989-92
| Honorary Consul
| Government of [[Mauritius]]  
| rowspan="6" |  {{Cn|date=February 2025}}
|-
| 1989
| [[Indira Gandhi National Integration Award]]
| All India National Unity Conference, New Delhi
|-
|1983
|Aram Valarkkum Annal
|Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakodi Peedam
|-
|1984
|Doctor of Laws
|[[Bharathiar University]], [[Coimbatore ]]
|-
|1988
|Doctor of Science
| [[Anna University]], [[Madras ]]
|-
|2000
| Doctor of Science
| [[Tamil Nadu Agricultural University]], Coimbatore
|}


==Spiritual life==
==Spiritual life==


Mahalingam had an important association with [[Swami Satchidananda|Sri Swami Satchidananda]], the Indian swamiji who emigrated to the United States of America and founded the [[Integral Yoga]] Institutes. Mahalingham 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 had an important association with [[Swami Satchidananda|Sri Swami Satchidananda]], the Indian swamiji who emigrated to the United Statesand founded the [[Integral Yoga]] Institutes.and who has faced multiple sexual misconduct allegations Mahalingham was a devoted follower of the Swamiji and contributed to the moral and financial causes of the Swamiji's works in the US, 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 is ardent follower of [[Ramalinga Swamigal]] alias Vallalar.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Pollachi-N-Mahalingam-dead/articleshow/44297247.cms]</ref>
Mahalingam was also greatly associated with [[Vethathiri Maharishi]] and his teachings. He donated land for Temple of consciousness - [[Aliyar]].


He died of a heart attack in 2014 while he speaking at a celebration in Chennai.<ref>http://tamil.oneindia.in/news/tamilnadu/industrialist-pollachi-n-mahalingam-dies-cardiac-arrest-212222.html</ref>
==Death ==
Mahalingam died of a heart attack in 2014 while speaking at a celebration in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/industrialist-pollachi-n-mahalingam-dies-cardiac-arrest-212222.html|title = தொழிலதிபர் பொள்ளாச்சி என். மகாலிங்கம் மரணம் - சொற்பொழிவின்போது மேடையில் உயிர் பிரிந்தது|date = 2 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Pollachi-N-Mahalingam-dead/articleshow/44297247.cms|title = Pollachi N Mahalingam dead &amp;#124; Coimbatore News - Times of India| newspaper=The Times of India | date=4 October 2014 }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in trade and industry]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in trade and industry]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:Madras MLAs 1952–1957]]
[[Category:Madras MLAs 1957–1962]]
[[Category:Madras MLAs 1962–1967]]

Latest revision as of 23:45, 21 March 2026

Mahalingam Nachimuthu
Member of the Madras Legislative Assembly
In office
1952 – 1957
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byHimself & K. Ponniah
ConstituencyPollachi
In office
1957 – 1962
Preceded byHimself & P. K. Thirumurthy
Succeeded byHimself
ConstituencyPollachi
In office
1962 – 1967
Preceded byHimself & K. Ponniah
Succeeded byA. P. Shanmugasundara Goundar
ConstituencyPollachi
Personal details
Born(1923-03-21)21 March 1923
Pollachi, Coimbatore
Died2 October 2014(2014-10-02) (aged 91)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Alma materLoyola College, Chennai College of Engineering, Guindy
Profession
  • Industrialist
  • educationist
  • politician
  • philanthropist

Nachimuthu Mahalingam (21 March 1923 – 2 October 2014) known by many as Pollachi N. Mahalingam was an Indian educationist, industrialist, philanthropist and prominent person from Tamil Nadu. He was the chairman of the Sakthi Group, and Ethiraj College for Women between 1972 and 1980.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

He was born to a agricultural family, completed his B.Sc. in Physics from Loyola College, Chennai. Mahalingam was married to Mariyammal. The couple had three sons, Manickam, Balasubramaniam, and Srinivaasan; and a daughter, Karunambal Vanavarayar.[1]

Politics[edit | edit source]

Since his father Thiru P. Nachimuthu, was a municipal chairman, Mahalingam showed interest into politics at an early age. He was elected as the member of the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1952 as an Indian National Congress candidate for the first time at the age of 29. He was elected as a member for the same constituency in the consecutive elections 1956 and 1962. During his tenure, he provided Parambikulam-Aliyar project and various schemes for the welfare of Pollachi Constituency.

He served on the board of directors for several public sector undertakings and the State Planning Commission in two terms.

In 1967 Indian general election he was defeated by K. Ramani of CPM in Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency.[2]

Career[edit | edit source]

Mahalingam joined the Sakthi Group business in 1943. After the banks were nationalised by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Mahalingam began businesses and expanded, as more and more banks were ready to lend money easily. Today, the Sakthi Group has forayed into sugar, distilling, automobiles, and finance.

Mahalingam is the founder of many educational institutions, including Kumaraguru College of Technology, Nachimuthu Polytechnic College, Sakthi Polytechnic College and Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology. He was involved in the establishment of Institute of Asian Studies in Madras in 1981.

Honours and titles[edit | edit source]

Year Award Issued by Ref.
2007 Padma Bhushan Government of India [3]
1989-92 Honorary Consul Government of Mauritius [citation needed]
1989 Indira Gandhi National Integration Award All India National Unity Conference, New Delhi
1983 Aram Valarkkum Annal Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakodi Peedam
1984 Doctor of Laws Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
1988 Doctor of Science Anna University, Madras
2000 Doctor of Science Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

Spiritual life[edit | edit source]

Mahalingam had an important association with Sri Swami Satchidananda, the Indian swamiji who emigrated to the United Statesand founded the Integral Yoga Institutes.and who has faced multiple sexual misconduct allegations Mahalingham was a devoted follower of the Swamiji and contributed to the moral and financial causes of the Swamiji's works in the US, 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 donated land for Temple of consciousness - Aliyar.

Death[edit | edit source]

Mahalingam died of a heart attack in 2014 while speaking at a celebration in Chennai.[4][1]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Pollachi N Mahalingam dead &#124; Coimbatore News - Times of India". The Times of India. 4 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "1967 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India" (PDF). 19 April 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "தொழிலதிபர் பொள்ளாச்சி என். மகாலிங்கம் மரணம் - சொற்பொழிவின்போது மேடையில் உயிர் பிரிந்தது". 2 October 2014.

External links[edit | edit source]


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