Alagappa Chettiar Biography 
Alagappa Chettiar was an entrepreneur, educationalist, industrialist and businessman from Tamil Nadu. He has donated a lot for the educational institutions in Tamil Nadu, which paved way to the establishment of Alagappa University in 1985 by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Many notable educational institutions and charity organizations have been started in his name. For his social service, he was honoured with Padmabhushan award in 1956 by Government of India.
Dr. R. M. Alagappa Chettiar was born in Kottaiyur in the Sivaganga District of Tamil Nadu in the year 1909. His parents were K. V. A. L. Ramanathan Chettiar and Umayal Achi. He had his schooling in SMS Vidyasala, karaikudi. While studying at Presidency College at Chennai, Dr. S Radhakrishnan was a model teacher who was friendly with Chettiar. He became the first graduate from Nattukottai Nagarathars community in the year 1930. Then he went to London to study law. He was the first Indian trainee at the Chartered Bank in London and he also qualified for the Bar at Middle Temple in England.
He was knighted by British government in the year 1946. However he renounced the knighthood after Indian independence. As a successful businessman, he held diverse portfolios which include – Rubber plantation and Tin Mines in Myanmar, Hotels in Mumbai, Cinema hall in Chennai and Textile mills in Kerala. He also owned private airline as well as insurance company. He has also headed Bombay Stock Exchange. Though known as a successful entrepreneur and businessman, he spent huge amount of money for charity and education purposes too. He gave away freely. The National Electro-Chemical Research Institute in Karaikudi was started with his donation of 300 acres of land and 1.5 Million Rupees. He died at a comparatively younger age of 48 and his life is regarded as a book for students and new generation to follow.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 25, 2014
