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
He was born to an 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.
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.
In 1967 Indian general election he was defeated by K. Ramani of CPM in Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency.
Career 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 Year Award Issued by 2007 Padma Bhushan Government of India 1989–92 Honorary Consul Government of Mauritius 1989 Indira Gandhi National Integration Award All India National Unity Conference, New Delhi1983Aram Valarkkum AnnalSri Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakodi Peedam1984Doctor of LawsBharathiar University, Coimbatore1988Doctor of Science Anna University, Madras2000 Doctor of Science Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Spiritual life
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 Mahalingam died of a heart attack in 2014 while speaking at a celebration in Chennai.
References
External links Short biography on Om Sakthi Publications