H. Vasanthakumar (b. April 14, 1950) is an Indian enterpreneur and politician from Tamil Nadu, India. He is the owner of Vasanth & Co, one of the largest durable goods retail chains in Tamil Nadu. He also owns Vasanth TV.[2] He was elected to Tamil Nadu Assembly from Nanguneri constituency in 2006 election.[3][4]
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[edit] Personal life

Vasanthakumar was born in 14 April 1950 in Agastheeswaram, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. He is a master of Arts (M.A) graduate. He is married. He has addresses in both Valliyur, Tirunelveli district and Chennai.[1] He released a book titled Vetrikodi Kattu on 17 September 2006. The book accounts his personal experiences, which was released by actor Rajini Kanth and his wife Latha Rajini Kanth.[5] His son, Vijayakumar, has appeared in films such as Chennai 600028, Naadodigal and Kanimozhi.
[edit] Vasanth & Co

He is the owner of Vasanth & Co, which is a renowned chain dealer of consumer electronics and home appliances in Tamil Nadu, India. The company was started in year 1978 and has 39 showrooms across almost every town in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry and Bangalore.[6] It reported a turnover of 500 crores of rupees (100 million US dollars) in year 2007.[7]
[edit] Vasanth TV

He is also the owner of Vasanth TV, an entertainment Tamil channel.[8][9] The channel was launched on 5 May 2008 by Sonia Gandhi.[10]
[edit] MLA

Vasanthakumar won the 2006 Tamil Nadu assembly election to become a MLA, competing against S.P. Sooryakumar of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He gave an assurance to the voters that if his coalition comes to power, the ambitious project of establishing a Special Economic Zone at Nanguneri with hi-tech park would be considered.[1
R. G. Chandramogan is the Chairman and Managing Director of Hatsun Agro Product Ltd, which is the manufacturer of branded milk and ice cream and the largest private dairy in India.[1] Arun Ice Creams, a popular ice cream brand in south India is owned by Hatsun Agro.[2] Hatsun group is also producing Arokya and Gomatha, two popular milk branks in Tamil Nadu. The company is expected to cross 1000 crore rupees turnover in year 2009.[3]He is one of the first generation of enterpreneurs from Sivakasi.[4]
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Personal life

Chandramogan was born in Thiruthangal in Sivakasi. He discontinued his education early on to support his family. His family sold some property for 13,000 Rupees with which he started RG Chandramogan & Co in 1970. In 1986 , RG Chandramogan & Co was renamed, ‘Hatsun Agro Products Ltd’.[5] His son C. Sathyan has been named executive director of Hatson Agro since 2002.[6] In an interview with Sify, He said he likes playing badminton and has won veteran's championship for two years. He also enjoys reading books.[4]
[edit] Arokya and Gomatha

Arokya and Gomatha are two milk product lines of Hatsun Agro selling liquid milk to markets in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa. In 2003, it procured and marketed over 6.25 lakh (625,000) litres milk per day out of which over 1.55 lakh (155,000) litres was sold in Chennai. The company has dairy units located in Kancheepuram, Salem and Madurai for markets in Tamil Nadu and Belgaum for markets in northern Karnataka and Goa. The company procured and marketed about 1.40 lakh (140,000) litres milk in its Belgaum unit in 2003.[7] The company sells more than 1 million liters of milk every day.[5]
[edit] Arun Ice Creams

Arun Ice creams is a popular cream brand in South India. Arun has over 1000 exclusive parlours. Of the 1,000 outlets, 670 are in Tamil Nadu, 148 in Karnataka and the rest in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.[2] It has over 70 flavours and combinations. Among these, many of them are India's first & trendsetters in their category such as the Color Magic, an ice cream that changes colors.[4] Hatsun has set up a 3000 liters per day ice cream plant in Seychelles in May 2008 and was setting up another plant in Fiji in the end of year 2009. It also has ice cream plant in Brunei.[8]
V. G. Panneerdas was the founder of VGP Group of Companies.[1] His story is one of the rags to riches. He started as a poor Christian man from a remote village called Azhagappa puram near valliyur, Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, India. He moved to Chennai in search of opportunities. In 1955, he opened a shop selling items such as alarm clocks, watches and wall clocks.[2] He was the pioneer in South India to introduce Hire Purchase for every day goods.[3] He built the VGP company from virtually nothing to its present status as a group of companies including retail, real estate and property development, resorts and amusement parks (including VGP Universal Kingdom), and video and audio studios.[2]
'VGP Universal Kingdom' is an amusement park located in East Coast Road in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The park offering small rides during the early days of its history became a full-fledged amusement park in 1997.[1] The park provides several fun and adventure rides for children, youth and adults. VGP 2000 millennium tower, Water cascades, Paneer fort and statueman are some of the main attractions. The ticket for adults and children are 150 and 100 Rupees respectively. It is open all days from 11 AM till 7:30 PM and till 8 PM during weekends. The park is owned by VGP Group of Companies founded by V. G. Panneerdas and V.G.P. Ravidas is its current managing director.

“VGP Aqua Kingdom” is the latest high tech addition to the South India’s immensely popular Amusement Park ‘VGP Universal Kingdom’. It is a well known Tourist spot, attracting a huge mass of people, providing joyous retreat and offering healthy and wholesome, activity based entertainment. Apart from its multi dimensional attractions of approx 37 rides, its own unique ‘Statue Man’ the exquisite Panneer Fort, live international shows every year, theme & festival celebrations, food courts, multi cuisine restaurants, it has now added an international style Water Park – named as VGP Aqua Kingdom, Designed by the legendry Australian Architect ‘Steve Anderson’. It is a well conceived, themed Water Park that offers activities that thrills, chills and an educative experience of an era bygone.

It has one of the biggest Wave Pool, of 15000 Sq.ft accommodating 1500 people at a time. It is a fresh water facility with waves generated to resemble the sea. The Lazy River in which one can go around 250 mtrs in tubes, gazing and lazing around includes a 60 ft cave to go through is a splendid additional attraction.


Being a preferred adventurous place for youngsters, The massive funnel type slide 30 ft high, which swirls and gravitates on slopes before hitting the waters along with other equally ecstatic five different varieties of slides each offering an unbelievable experience of drop down from 35 ft high will definitely boost the Adrenaline rush of the rider leaving them wanting for more.

Food Facilities From cozy indoor air conditioned fine dining to greenly outdoor dining facility the place serves a wide assortment of the best Chinese, Indian, Mughal and Continental dishes.

Party Facilities Offer Pool Side Party Place and Party Plots on lush green lawns adjoining it, providing a lovely atmosphere. VGP also host treasure hunt and other fun events upon request.
M. G. Muthu is the Chairman and founder of the MGM Group of Companies.[1] He was born in a small village in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu.[2] He started his career in 1952 working in Chennai port and went on to found MGM Group of Companies with interests in logistics, hospitality and the popular MGM Dizzee World theme park in Chennai.[3] He has written an account of his life in a book titled Rags To Riches: Chevalier Seva Ratna Dr. M. G. Muthu: An Autobiography and published in 1999
Shanmuga Nadar (1903-1969) was an Indian enterpreneur from the southern city of Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. He along with his cousin Ayya Nadar is credited for transforming the small village of Sivakasi into a thriving industrial town. He was the founder of Kakka (or Standard) firework industry. He was the chairman of Sivakasi municipality between 1952 and 1955.[1][2] In 1922, he along with Ayya Nadar went to Calcutta to learn matchmaking and opened industries in Sivakasi upon their return.[3]
Gold Winner is a sunflower oil brand produced by Kaleesuwari Refinery Pvt Ltd. The early history of the company goes back to 1970s with a small grocery store started by G. Munusamy. He bought Kaleesuwari Refinery Private Limited near Chennai[1] in 1993 and has markets in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Kuwait, Dubai, Australia, UK and Sri Lanka. The company also sells other products such as vanaspati, soybean oil and groundnut oil.[2] In 2005, it has received HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) certification which certifies that the oil does not have any physical, chemical or biological contamination and valid for 5 years. It was also awarded ISO 9001:2000 for its oil manufacturing plant at Vengaivasal, near to Chennai by TUV Management Services Gmbh, Germany.[3]

In 2007, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Consultant Robert M. Pierce, Fats & Oils Refining Consultant. The consultant is expected to suggest ideas to improve the current product and produce new products
P. Ayya Nadar(Tamil:அய்யா நாடார் ) (1905-1982) was an Indian enterpreneur from the southern city of Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. He along with Shanmuga Nadar is credited for transforming the small village of Sivakasi into a thriving industrial town. He was the founder of Anil brand (Squirrel) matches, which later turned into Ayya Fireworks, and Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College.[1][2]
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[edit] Personal life

He was born in 1905 in Sivakasi to Palaniappa Nadar and Nagammal. He was married to Janaki Ammal with whom he has four sons and daughters. He died in year 1982.[3]
[edit] Inception of match business

He along with his cousin Shanmuga Nadar travelled to Calcutta and stayed there for 8 months learning about the match industry. Upon their return to Sivakasi, they started a factory together with machines imported from Germany. In 1926, they separated and established two separate match industries with Ayya Nadar's Anil (squirrel) brand competing with Shanmuga Nadar's kaka (crow) or Standard brand.[1]
[edit] Business expansion

The company which started with producing matches eventually diversified into other areas including fireworks, yarn, printing and education. Ayya Nadar founded Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College in 1963 offering courses in Arts and Sciences. The college is located in Sivakasi. From its beginning in 1923 till 1984, he headed the institution he founded. His sons, A.Graha Durai and A.Vaira Prakasam have been heading the business ever since. They started Ayyan Nadar Janaki Ammal women's polytechnic in 1990.[4]

Ayya Nadar, along with Shanmuga Nadar, is credited with transforming the small poverty-stricken Sivakasi village into a bustling industrial town.[1] R. G. Chandramogan, another entrepreneur and owner of Hatsun Agro, who happened to grow up in this town and witness this transformation said,

This revolution was brought to Sivakasi by Shanmuga Nadar and his cousin Iyya Nadar. The people of our village looked up to them as demigods because of the prosperity they brought to us.[5]

[edit] Sivakasi Municipality

He was the chairman of Sivakasi municipality between 1955 and 1963. Vaippar-Vembakkotai drinking water scheme with a dam in the north of the city was instituted during his tenure, which helped in the expansion of population and industries in the drought-prone town.[1]
Shiv Nadar (Tamil: சிவ நாடார்) is an Indian industrialist and philanthropist. He is the chairman and chief strategy officer of HCL Technologies. As of 2010[update], his personal wealth is $4.2 billion. Shiv Nadar founded HCL in the mid-1970s and transformed the IT hardware company into an IT Enterprise over the next three decades by constantly reinventing his company's focus. In 2008, Nadar was awarded Padma Bhushan for his efforts in IT industry. Nadar, nicknamed by friends as Magnus (Persian for Wizard),[3] since mid-1990s has focused his efforts in developing the educational system of India through SSN Trust
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[edit] Early life

Shiv Nadar hails from Moolaipozhi village in the Thoothukudi district about 10 KM from Tiruchendur town in Tamil Nadu, India and was born in the Nadar community to Sivasubramaniya Nadar and Vamasundari Devi in 1946. His mother, Vamasundari Devi and S. P. Adithanar, founder of Dina Thanthi were siblings. Shiv Nadar received a pre-University degree in Madurai American College and degree in Electrical And Electronics Engineering from PSG College of Technology. He began his career at Walchand Group's Cooper Engineering in Pune in 1967.[4] Shiv Nadar is the only Indian to establish computer systems industry in INDIA.
[edit] HCL - 3 decades of evolution
[edit] First decade - Startup to India's No 1 IT company

Along with Ajai Chowdhry (Chairman, HCL Infosystems), Arjun Malhotra (CEO and Chairman, Headstrong), Subhash Arora, Yogesh Vaidya and DS Puri[5][6], Shiv Nadar started Microcomp to sell teledigital calculators in the Indian market.[7] under the brand name "Televista.[8]

HCL was founded later in 1976 with an investment of Rs 187,000[9] from the 6 founders and added Uttar Pradesh government as a 26% equity partner.[10] While the company focused on building a microcomputer from scratch, it received an unexpected boon when foreign companies like IBM left the country due to the policies adopted by the then Industrial minister George Fernandes in 1977 creating a market space for the microcomputer in India.

In 1980, HCL ventured into the international market with the opening of Far East Computers in Singapore to sell IT hardware. The venture reported Rs 1 million revenue in the first year and continued to address the Singapore operations.[11] In 1981, Rajendra Pawar, Vijay Thadani, S Rajendran started NIIT with Nadar playing the role of investor to address the then fast growing computer education market. Nadar remained the largest shareholder without retaining any management control. Nadar retained his shareholding in NIIT through 2003 at least.

Through 1984, the company focused on designing microcomputers and writing custom applications for clients on these systems. When the Indian government liberalized regulations for import of technology, the computer market was in effect opened for adopting new global technologies. HCL utilized the opportunity to develop Personal computers solutions (called Busybee) and UNIX platform based solutions. In the IT hardware business, the company opened a subsidiary called HCL office Automation that quickly became India's leader in office solutions. By 1987, HCL recorded revenue of Rs 100 crores and featured as India's number 1 company
[edit] Second decade - Transition to software services business

Shiv Nadar looked at marking a place in the global arena after having captured Indian IT leadership. HCL America was setup in 1989. However the move backfired as Shiv Nadar and HCL miscalculated the requirements of the market and the venture didn't succeed in the world's largest market. However in India, HCL consolidated its market position in the early part of its second decade reaching an inflexion point in 1991 when the government liberalized the economy to provide a level playing field for foreign players. HCL joined HP and created a JV - HCL HP Limited. The JV built solutions to address the local computing market as well as gave HCL its first experience in outsourced R&D. In the mid '90s, Shiv Nadar added sale agreement with Ericsson and Nokia to distribute their products in India. In 1995, Nadar set a target of Rs 100 billion as target for the HCL Group, a target his group will fall short.[12]

By 1995, HCL became a complex organization with over 40 subsidiaries and Nadar quickly realized that global IT services was the way forward rather than IT hardware. HCL Consulting was formed to address the IT services and the R&D division of HCL-HP was merged into HCL Consulting.[12] The company was renamed HCL Technologies in 1996, the same year the JV with HP broke off.

By early 1998, Nadar had consolidated his business into five entities - HCL Technologies (global IT service company), HCL Infosystems (Indian IT hardware leader), HCL comnet (network services company), HCL Perot (IT applications) and NIIT (education services).
[edit] Third decade - Global IT service company

Shiv Nadar took HCL Technologies public in 1999,[12] At the time of IPO, HCL was the second largest IT company with revenue of Rs. 7.23 billion behind TCS (Rs 16.52 billion) but ahead of Wipro (Rs 6.32 billion) and Infosys (Rs. 5 billion) and with the Internet boom in full swing, HCL decided to put complete focus in R&D services to product engineering companies while paying scant attention to the Y2K. When the Internet bubble burst in 2000, HCL was left behind by its competitors because of their headstart in Enterprise application services.

Nadar made an effort to bootstrap HCL with acquisitions in 2001. HCL acquired Apollo Contact center from BT and Deutsche Software Limited (Deutsche Bank's Indian captive software company) to address the BPO and Financial services market. Still HCL continued to underperform competitors through 2005.

By 2004, the number of companies in HCL was consolidated from five to two - HCL Technologies and HCL Infosystems. Shiv's shareholding in NIIT was recognized as personal investment and HCL Comnet became a subsidiary of HCL Technologies. HCL Perot was sold back to partner Perot Systems for $105 million in December 2003.[13]. S Raman, COO & President, HCL Technologies retired in early 2005 and Nadar promoted Vineet Nayar as President of HCL Technologies and revive HCL's sagging fortunes in the IT services spectrum.

In 2007, Shiv passed the mantle of CEO of HCL Technologies to Vineet Nayar. Shiv remains Chairman of HCL Technologies and its largest shareholder.
[edit] Non-IT business ventures

Nadar had less success with his ventures outside the IT and software industry. His partnernship with Singapore Telecom to address the now-booming Indian Telecom market was unsuccessful as well as his attempts in the granite and aquaculture business.[3]
[edit] Focus on Education & Healthcare

In 1996, Shiv Nadar founded SSN College of Engineering in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in the name of his father - Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar. Shiv Nadar takes active role in the college activities including gifting of Rs. 1 million worth of HCL shares to the college.[14] In 2006, Nadar announced that the college will promote research apart from ensuring that students benefit from foreign university tie-ups.[15] Nadar joined the Executive Board of Indian School of Business in 2005.[16] In March 2008, Nadar's SSN Trust announced setting up of Seven Vidyagyan schools in UP for rural students where free scholarship will be provided for 100 students from 10 districts of Uttar Pradesh.[17]

Shiv Nadar is a member of the Governing board of Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI). PHFI was started by Rajat Gupta to "redress the limited institutional capacity in India for strengthening training, research and policy development in the area of Public Health"[18]
[edit] Awards and accolades

In 2008, Government of India awarded Shiv Nadar with Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award for his contribution to IT industry.[19]

In 2007, Madras University awarded him honorary doctorate degree (D Sc) for his contributions in promoting software technology.[20] Nadar was also recognized as E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 (Services).[21]

In October 2006, Shiv Nadar received an honorary fellowship from All India Management Association - AIMA[22]
Si. Balasubramania Adithan (Tamil: சி. பாலசுப்ரமணிய ஆதித்தனார் ) a.K.a Si. Ba. Adithan (Tamil: சி.பா.ஆதித்தனார் (1905–1981), popularly called as Adithanar, was a Tamil lawyer, politician, minister and founder of the Tamil daily newspaper Dina Thanthi. He was the founder of the We Tamils (Tamil: நாம் தமிழர்) party and served as the member of the Madras Legislative Council for two terms and as the member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for four terms. He was the Speaker of the Assembly during 1967-68 and Tamil Nadu's minister for Cooperation in the M. Karunanidhi cabinets of 1969 and 1971. In his memory, two Tamil literary awards have been created and are awarded annually by his son, Sivanthi Adithan (the present Director of the Dina Thanthi group).
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[edit] Early life

Adithan was born on 27 September 1905 at Kayamozhi in Tirunelveli district to Sivanthi Adithanar Nadar and Kanagam Ammayar. His father Sivanthi Adithanar was a lawyer. He completed his schooling at Srivaikuntam and joined the St. Joseph's College, Trichy. After obtaining a M. A, he went to Middle Temple, London to study law. He became a Barrister in 1933 and practiced in Singapore (during 1933-42) and later in his home town Srivaikuntam. He married Govindammal in 1933.[1][2][3]
[edit] Publishing career

Adithan returned to India in 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese. He established a Tamil weekly Magazine Tamizhan and a daily newspaper Thanthi in November 1942. He set out to found a Tamil daily along the lines of English tabloid Daily Mirror, inspired by the Mirror's reach of a large audience. He established Dina Thanthi (lit. The Daily Telegraph) and it went on to become the flagship of his newspaper business. He expanded operations by opening additional editions in Tirunelveli, Madras, Salem and Tiruchirapalli in 1940s. By bringing out local editions, Dina Thanthi helped deliver news on the same day to the people in southern districts of Tamil Nadu, who till then had to read one day old newspapers printed in Madras[4] The paper was popular and it was said that people learned to read the Tamil language in order to read the newspaper.[5] The simplified language introduced by the paper helped it gain new readership.[6] Other publications from Adithan's Dina Thanthi group include the evening daily Maalai Murasu (lit. The Evening Drum), the weekly magazine Rani and the monthly novel imprint Rani Muthu.[2]
[edit] Political career

Adithan started the "Tamil Rajyam" party in 1942. During 1947-52, he was a member of the Madras Legislative Council. He contested and won the 1952 election from Tiruchendur as a candidate of T. Prakasam's Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party.[7] He was elected as an independent candidate in the 1957 election from Sathankulam.[2][8]
[edit] We Tamils party

In 1958, Adithan founded the "We Tamils" (WT) party with the platform of forming a sovereign Tamil state. The party's stand was more radical than the Dravida Nadu demand of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy's Dravidar Kazhagam. It wanted the creation of a homogeneous Tamil state incorporating Tamil speaking areas of India and Sri Lanka. The party’s headquarters was named as Tamiḻaṉ Illam (lit. The Home of the Tamilian). In 1960, the party organized statewide protests for the secession of Madras and the establishment of a sovereign Tamil Nadu. The protests were marked by the burning of maps of India (with Tamil Nadu left out). Adithanar was arrested for organizing them. The party along with M. P. Sivagnanam's Tamil Arasu Kazhagam was also involved in the movement to change the name of the state from Madras State to Tamil Nadu.[9] Adithan lost the 1962 election from Tiruchendur[10] and got himself elected to the Legislative Council in 1964.[3] The WT contested the 1967 election as an ally of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) under the DMK's "Rising Sun" symbol. It elected four members to the Assembly, including Adithan, who won from Srivaikuntam. The party merged with the DMK in 1967.[2][11][12]
[edit] As Speaker of Legislative Assembly

On 17 March 1967, Adithan became the speaker of the assembly defeating the Swatantra Party candidate K. S. Kothandaramiah, by 153 votes to 21. While he was the speaker he attended the DMK political conference held at Tanjore in 1968 and also took part in political activities in his constituency. Due to these activities, the opposition parties accused him of partisanship. He defended himself as:[13]

I am as much as a politician as the honourable leader of the opposition is and as such, I can not refrain myself from the party activities of the DMK with whose support and under whose symbol I have been elected to the Assembly. But it does not mean that i am partial and partisan.

Due to this controversy, Adithan resigned as speaker on 12 August 1968.
[edit] As minister

Adithan became the Minister for Cooperation in the M. Karunanidhi cabinet, which took power in February 1969. He was reelected from Srivaikuntam in the 1971 elections and continued as the Minister for Cooperation.[2][14]
[edit] Later political life

The (DMK) split in 1972, with M. G. Ramachandran forming the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK). Adithan supported the ADMK.[4] He contested and lost the 1977 election[15] as an ADMK supported independent from Sathankulam.[16] He also lost the 1980 election from Srivaikuntam.[17]
[edit] Electoral performance in Assembly elections
Year Status Constituency Party Votes Runner-up/Winner Party Votes
1957 Winner Sathankulam IND 33,636 S. Kandasamy INC 22,429
1962 2nd Tiruchendur We Tamils (WT) 27,994 M. S. Selvarajan INC 39,994
1967 Winner Srivaikuntam DMK 41,828 R. Nadar INC 22,767
1971 Winner Srivaikuntam DMK 37,329 R. A. R. Annamalai NCO 27,724
1977 2nd Sathankulam IND 17,507 R. Jebamani JNP 18,362
1980 3rd Srivaikuntam IND 12,119 E. Ramasubramanian ADMK 26,502
[edit] Death and legacy

Adithan died on 24 May 1981. In 2005, the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J. Jayalalitha announced that his home in Srivaikuntam, built in 1928, will be converted into a memorial.[18][19] On his birthday every year, the S. P. Adithanar Senior Tamil Scholar Award of Rs. 1.5 lakhs (~ US $3000) and the S. P. Adithanar Literary Prize of Rs. 1 lakh (~ US $2000) are awarded to Tamil scholars and people who excel in literature by Adithanar's son and the current director of Dina Thanthi group, Sivanthi Adithan.[5] A road in Chennai, connecting Egmore to Anna Salai has been named "Adithanar Salai" in his memory
Nadars are a caste from the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and from a few parts of Kerala. Nowadays, Nadars occupy various positions, including education, politics and mostly retail business. Below is a list of Nadars who have contributed in different fields. [1] [2]
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Business

* S. P. Adithanar, founder of Dina Thanthi
* Shiv Nadar, founder and CEO of HCL Technologies
* Ayya Nadar, founder of Ayyan Group of Companies
* Shanmuga Nadar, founder of Standard Fireworks and other firework industries in Sivakasi
* Selvarathinam, founder of Saravana Stores, Chennai
* M. G. Muthu, founder of MGM Group of Companies and MGM Dizzee World
* V. G. Panneerdas, founder of VGP Group of Companies
* G.Munusamy, founder of Gold Winner
* R. G. Chandramogan, founder of Arun Icecreams and Hatsun Ltd
* P. Rajagopal, founder of Hotel Saravana Bhavan chain of restaurants.
* H. Vasanthakumar, founder of Vasanth & Co and Vasanth TV.
* V. R. Muthu, CEO and son of founder of Idhayam oil
* K. P. Kandasamy, founder of Dinakaran

Administration

* F. V. Arul former I.G of police and Director of C.B.I.
* Admiral O. S. Dawson Former Chief of the Naval staff.
* Suzhil Kumar Former Indian Army Chief.
* Walter Devaram former D.G.P of police.

Judiciary

* Justice V Periyakaruppiah, Judge, Madras High court.

Politics
Chief Minister

* K. Kamaraj, Former chief minister of Tamil Nadu and former president of AICC and TNCC

Political movements

* W. P. A. Soundrapandian Nadar-A leader of Nadar Mahajan Sangam and Member of Madras Legislative Council
* P. Thanulinga Nadar, former president of Hindu Munnani
* S.Ponnusamy Nadar, First M.L.A of Tuticorin,and freedom fighter [3]
* V. V. Ramasamy Nadar, Self Respect movement
* Marshal Nesamony, politician
* A. V. P. Asaithambi, Self Respect Movement and later DMK leader.

Ministers

* K. P. Kandasamy, founder of Dinakaran
* V. Radhika Selvi, minister of state for home affairs.
* Pon Radhakrishnan, former minister of state in the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation and president of the Tamil Nadu BJP
* Aladi Aruna, polititician, former law minister
* Poongothai Aladi Aruna, Minister for Social Welfare. (Alangulam constituency)
* P. Geetha Jeevan, Minister of Animal Husbandry.
* P. H. Pandian, MP , former Speaker of Tamil Nadu Assembly.
* C. Aranganayagam, former Educational Minister of Tamil Nadu.
* K. P. Kandasamy, former Minister of Tamil Nadu.
* Kadambur Janarthanan, Ex M.P of Nellai constituency & ex Central Minister
* Sarguna Pandian, Tamil Nadu Politician from Chennai
* Anitha Radhakrishnan, AIADMK ex minister

MLAs

* A. Chidambaranatha Nadar, veteran politician
* Kunjan Nadar, veteran politician
* R. Thamaraikani, former Tamil politician
* Parisutha Nadar, Tanjavur, Congress Veteran.
* R. Ponnappan Nadar, Nagerkovil, Congress Veteran.
* N. Dennis, Parliamentarian (6 term 07,08,09,10,11,12 Lok Sabha)
* K. T. Kosalram, Parliamentarian (3 term 06,07,08 Lok Sabha)
* R. Dhanuskodi Athithan, a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India (5 term 08,09,10,11,14 Lok Sabha)
* K. T. K. Thangamani, a barrister and communist leader.
* Tamilisai Soundarrajan, President, Tamil Nadu B.J.P
* Kumari Anandan, former Tamil Nadu Congress Chief.
* M. John Vincent, former MLA, Tamil Nadu Assembly - (Nanguneri Constituency)
* Ganapathy Nadar, Thiruchendur, Congress Veteran.
* D. S. Adhimoolam Nadar, Swathanthra Party leader and community reformer from Mukkudal.
* N.Soundra Pandian, (1923 - 1999) former MLA (Radhapuram Constituency).
* Rajammal Samraj, Ex.M.L.A Tuticorin constituency.
* N. Periasamy, Ex M.L.A of Thoothukudi.

Spiritual leaders

* Ayya Vaikundar (1809-1851) (real name Muthukutty), founder and preceptor of the Ayyavazhi sect. Considered to be an avatar of the Hindu god Narayana.
* D. G. S. Dhinakaran founder of "Jesus Calls"

Sports

* Vijay Amritraj, first Indian ever to reach a Wimbledon Quarter finals.
* Anand Amritraj, International tennis player and brother of Vijay Amritraj.
* Manuel Aaron, India's first International Chess Master and the first chess player to be honored with the Arjuna Award
* Helen Mary, Goal-keeper, Indian Hockey Team which won gold medal for India in the Manchester Commonwealth Games,2002

Entertainment

* Ashok Amritraj, a Hollywood producer
* Sarath Kumar, Tamil cinema actor
* Harris Jeyaraj, music director.[4]
* Hari, Tamil film director
* A. R. Murugadoss, Film maker
* Vasanthabalan, Tamil cinema director
* Sathyaneshan Nadar, (Satyan) Malayalam film actor
* Ramarajan, Tamil cinema actor
* Charle, Tamil comedian

Literature and education

* H. S. S. Lawrence, Director of School Education Tamil Nadu, UNESCO Adviser Afghanistan.
* David Davidar, world famous author and former CEO of Penguin publications.

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