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| The Hindu - Feb 1, 2001 |
| A success story |
| The birth centenary of industrialist S N N Sankaralinga
Iyer who founded India Cements, was on January 31, 2001. A tribute
to the pioneer. |
| S N N Sankaralinga Iyer combined many qualities
in himself. He was an explorer in the industrial field at a
time when the South Indian mind was largely property and employment-oriented
and there were practically no industries in South India, except
the textile mills in Coimbatore. Sri Iyer conceived an industrial
plan as early as the 1920s and 30s, the period which witnessed
two World Wars and complete stagnation. |
| Young Sankaralinga Iyer began to realise
his dream by first converting his private banking business into
a limited concern. He established the head-office of the Indo-Commercial
Bank at Mayuram with the help of a group of friends who continued
to be his associates for life. |
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| The bank proved to be a major success. But, Sri
Iyer did not stop at that. He made a scientific study of the quality
and quantity of the limestone available and realised that the place
was the apt site for starting a cement industry. At that time ACC
was the only major cement manufacturer. A staunch Swadeshi, he felt
that cement production was the need of the day to support public works
taken up after the Second World War and launched India Cements in
1946. Thus he brought a new industry to the Tirunelveli district,
which cherishes the memory of this visionary who changed its face
and future. |
| With his perseverance, passion and courage, in
1949 Sankar Cement was in the market and gave a fillip to the post-war
programmes. On the once barren land came up a beautiful township called
Sankarnagar, with trees, garden houses, guest houses, schools, and
other amenities for the staff. India Cements launched its second plant
in the 1960s at Sankaridrug in Salem district. This plant was a milestone
both for the company and its founder. Sri Iyer continued to take keen
interest in further exploring the mining possibilities in Tamil Nadu.
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| The exploitation of gypsum in Coimbatore and Tiruchi
was his next successful step. He had many plans for the development
of the South. |
| He supported many charitable programmes. For thousands
of workers of the company, he was a friend not a master. His successors
have kept the flag flying high, following his work and values. |
| Shri Sankaralinga Iyer's son, Shri K S Narayanan,
is the Chairman Emeritus of the Sanmar group and The India Cements
Limited founded by Shri Iyer is today an Associate company of the
group |
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