T. S. Paramasivan, son of the late Rao Bahadur Subbiah Pillai, retd. judge who was incidentally a schoolmate of Bharathiar and a college mate of S. Radhakrishnan, former President of India passed away in Chennai on January 15.
After N K Iyyangar started the Department of Geology and Mining in Tamilnadu, Paramasivan took over the department in 1958-59 and brought about monumental changes in mineral exploitation in Tamilnadu.
He, with his group of fellow geologists identified the famous Siva Ganga Graphite, which is considered to be one of the best grapite deposits in the world.
Chetinad Cement was started after identifying a great bulk of limestone, the main raw material for cement industries in Karur district by his group of geologists.
Many great cement industries like India Cements, Dalmia Cement, Ramco Cement (Madras Cement) ACC Cement flourished very well during his tenure.
He promoted big granite industries in Tamilnadu and brands like Kunnam Granite and Kashmir White granite became world famous premium granite.
He was the founder director of Tamilnadu Magnesite Corporation, Tamilnadu Cement Corporation and TAMIN (Tamilnadu Mineral Development Corporation).
Paramasivan described himself as a “simple Mylaporean” and lived in a rented house till his end. He was the first Tamilian to be knighted. His family calls him the ‘Golden Geological Gem of Tamilnadu’.
Paramasivan leaves behind his 2 sons, P. Sivakumar, geologist and P. Ponnuswamy, an advocate.
The family lives at 125/2, Vijay Apartments, 4th Street, Abhirmapuram. Tel: 3499 7032, 94447 39096.
