Founder & Visionary
Thiru J. Suthanthiran
A pioneer of the Sengunthar community, tireless weaver-cooperative leader, educationist, and the driving force behind Erode Sengunthar Engineering College.
Education
B.Sc., New College, Madras
PSG Arts & Science College, Coimbatore
Address
145, Meenakshi Sundaram Street
Thirunagar Colony, Erode – 638 003
Community Role
President, South India Sengunthar Mahajana Sangam (since 1987)
International Travel
Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, South Africa, Thailand, Sri Lanka
Cooperative Leadership — Erode Weavers' Co-operative Society (Erode)
Thiru J. Suthanthiran joined the Erode Weavers' Co-operative Society (Erode), established in 1947, and served as its Director from 1967–1975 (8 years) and as its President from 1975–1989 and 1991–1996 — a combined leadership spanning 19 years.
Under his presidency, he expanded Erode's sales network across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. He elevated the society's annual jewellery sales from ₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore, generating annual profits of ₹25–40 lakh and making it one of Tamil Nadu's foremost weavers' cooperatives.
Handloom Industry Contributions
- Director (elected), Tirunelveli South India Weavers' Co-operative Spinning Mill — 10 years (1979–1989)
- Director (appointed by central government), Petrofils Co-operative Ltd., Baroda, Gujarat — 15 years (1986–2001)
- Director, All India Handloom Marketing Co-operative Society, New Delhi — 3 years (1999–2002)
- Director, All India Handloom & Nippon Apparels Corporation (P) Ltd., Chennai — from 2000 onwards
- Deputy President & Director, Periyar District Weavers' Co-operative Union — 10 years (1979–1989)
- Member, Tamil Nadu Government Handloom High-Level Committee (1998)
- Member, Tamil Nadu Government Handloom Advisory Committee (1997–2001, 2005–2006)
- Member, Tamil Nadu Government Yarn Price Fixation Committee (1980–1989, 1997–2001)
- Member, District Raw Material Price Fixation Committee (1997–2001)
Educational Philanthropy
Thiru J. Suthanthiran served as Correspondent / Trustee of the following institutions, personally ensuring scholarships and full fee-waivers for hundreds of deserving students from rural backgrounds:
Erode Sengunthar Engineering College, Thudupathi
Correspondent (Founder)
M.P. Nachimuthu M. Jaganathan Engineering College, Chennimalai
Correspondent (1984–2003)
M.P. Nachimuthu M. Jaganathan Polytechnic College
Correspondent (1984–2003)
Sengunthar Higher Secondary School, Erode
Correspondent
Sengunthar Girls' Higher Secondary School, Erode
Correspondent
Sengunthar Nursery & Primary School, Erode
Correspondent
Lalitha Kalvi Nilayam Middle School, Erode
Correspondent
Mottaippa Higher Secondary School, Vallipurathampalayam
Correspondent
He also served as President of the Erode District Private Schools' Association and the Association of Private Engineering Colleges affiliated to Bharathiar University.
Rotary International Service
- 2000–01: Charter President, Rotary Club of Erode Cosmos, RI District 3200
- 2001–02: Paul Harris Fellow
- 2002–03: Chairman, Rural Self Help Project, RI Dist. 3200
- 2003–04: Chairman, Rotary International District 3200 Conference
- 2004–05: Regional Co-ordinator, Rotary Centenary Year Projects; Major Donor
- 2005–06: Assistant Governor, Region XVII
- 2006–07: Member, District Consultative Committee
- 2007–08: Governor's Special Representative
- 2008–09: Adviser, Community Service
- 2009–10: District Adviser – Awards
Awards & Honours
1983
Best Youth of Erode City
Erode Jaycees Association
1985
Udyog Rattan Award
Indian Institute of Economic Studies, conferred by President Giani Zail Singh, New Delhi
1985
Nesar Nesar (Weaver's Friend)
Perur Shanthalinga Ramaswami Adigal
2000
Best Co-operator Award
Erode District Co-operative Union
2004
Vaazhnaall Sevagar (Lifetime Service)
Lions Club of Peach Park, Chennai
2004
Kalvi Kaavalar (Guardian of Education)
Tamil Vision TV & Viswaseva Tele Media
2005
Sevai Semmal (Service Excellence) ×2
Erode Arima Sangam & Erode Kaveri Arima Sangam
2007
Sengunthar Semmal (Sengunthar Excellence)
Cinema Artists Association
2008
Saadhanayalar (Achiever)
Erode Sangeeni Arima Sangam
2008
Vaazhnaall Saadhanayalar (Lifetime Achievement)
Tamil Peravai Literary Festival, Erode
2009
Manithiril Punidhar (Saint Among Men)
Salem Sri Akshayam Seva Trust
2009
Excellence Award in Education
Education Today Magazine
2010
Outstanding Achiever in Education
Rotary International District 3202 Conference
2010
M.G.R. Manitha Naya Award
Idhayakani Magazine
Sports & Community Involvement
- Patron — Erode District Handball Association
- Patron — Erode District Chess Association
- Patron — Erode District Cricket Association (First patron in 32 years)
- President — Erode District Chito-Ryu Karate Association
- President — Erode District Snooker & Billiards Association
- Advisory Board Member — All India Radio (AIR), Chennai
- Advisory Board Member — Erode District Trade Tax Committee
- Advisory Board Member — Erode District Hospital
Photo Gallery
