Chinnaswami Rajam
| Chinnaswami Rajam | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | November 28, 1882 Swamimalai, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu |
| Died | July 21, 1955 Chennai |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Industrialist |
| Known for | Founder of the Madras Institute of Technology |
Chinnaswami Rajam (28 November 1882 – 21 July 1955) was a visionary entrepreneur, eminent industrialist, and the founder of the present Madras Institute of Technology of the Anna University, Chennai. The late Dr. C. P. Ramaswami Iyer called him a "pioneer in the industrial field".
C. Rajam was born in 1882 in the village of Swamimalai, (near Kumbakonam) in Thanjavur District of Madras State (now Tamil Nadu). After completing his high school education at the Town High School, Kumbakonam, he joined the Salem Government Weaving School in 1904 to master the art of weaving process. In the beginning he established a handloom factory (fly shuttle loom) to produce dhotis, towels, shirt material etc., but latter also started trading of consumer items. After not being so successful in those business, he became a volunteer in the congress party and learnt the hardship faced by the mankind. A meeting with Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, attracted him towards the philosophical aspects of life.
In early 1909, Rajam started the business of leather goods with Mysoor Tanneries with the financial help of this friends, and it was a turning point in his life that lead to his future prosperity. After venturing for nearly five years, he joined Mysore Tanneries as a manager and the company flourished at national and international level where they were dealing with overseas European stores like Whiteway Laidaw & company. In the year 1918, Rajam founded India Company Private Limited with three partners and in the year 1923 this company became the agent of Tata Steel Limited and were trading 2,000 tons of steel per month. This venture turned Rajam into a successful influential business manager in Madras. In the next move Rajam founded the Kumbakonam Electric Supply Corporation Limited in the year 1932 and subsequently in 1933 he started two more companies: Negapatam Electric Supply Company Limited and Indian Steel Rolling Mills Limited. The business in companies proved highly lucrative and Rajam became a leading industrialist in the Madras state. He was the chairman of five companies: India Company Pvt. Ltd., Kumbakonam Electric Supply Corporation Ltd., Negapatam Electric Supply Company Limited, Indian Steel Rolling Mills Limited and Garage Limited. The initial paid up capital of these companies exceeded rupees of 5 million at that time.
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