E. K. Parthasarathy, industrialist and Chairman of Madras Engineering Industries, passed away on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife, Radha Parthasarathy, son Sanjay Parthasarathy, and daughters Priya Sriram and Ramya Narayanan.
Graduating in mechanical engineering from Jadavpur University and with a masters degree from the University of Cranfield, he worked in the U.K. for seven years. Returning to India, he started Madras Engineering Industries to manufacture automobile components. The company started specialising in the manufacture of slack adjusters and by 2000 had become one of the largest manufacturers of manual slack adjusters in the world. Focussing on research and development, Mr. Parthasarathy turned to the production of automatic slack adjusters and his company holds three worldwide patents in the field. In all, through his R&D efforts, he obtained seven worldwide patents.
He was a generous supporter of schools and hospitals including Sankara Nethralaya. Through a comprehensive school education, health, women’s employment, temple renovation, water supply and sanitation programme, he transformed his ancestral village of Thandalam near Arakonam. He was also a former President of Madras Club.
