N. Mahalingam

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.

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

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.