Homage paid to N. Mahalingam

Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu on Friday called for institution of a literary award in memory of industrialist N. Mahalingam, who passed away on October 2.

The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, jointly with 30 associations, organised a homage meeting here for the late industrialist.

Mr. Vairamuthu said Mahalingam’s life itself was a message to others.

He was among those who gave confidence to the Kongu region.

He had knowledge of all sectors, campaigned for the interlinking of rivers and was a strong votary of vocational training as part of the education system.

He had also suggested there should be a common currency for India and other countries in the region.

M. Manickam, executive vice-chairman of Sakthi Sugars, said in order to forward the works of his late father Mahalingam, the Group had planned to constitute a committee that would oversee the translation of about 100 books that were published in other languages into Tamil every month.

Former vice-chancellor of Tamil University, Thanjavur, Avvai Natarajan, who shared the dais in Chennai with Mahalingam during the last moments of the industrialist, said he had worked for the growth of the country. From dawn to dusk, everyday, he was more concerned about the welfare of others.

T.R. Dinakaran, chairman of Shri Ramalinga Mills, said Mahalingam though was born in an agricultural family became an industrialist but continued to focus on agriculture. In business too, he was a man of honesty and integrity.

A.V. Varadarajan, chairman of AV Group, said Mahalingam was instrumental in implementation of the PAP project.

Vision

He had a vision for development of the society. Paying his tributes, writer and poet Marabin Maindan Muthiah recited a poem.

Homage paid to N. Mahalingam

His life itself was a message to others, says Vairamuthu