M Ct Muthiah Passes Away

M Ct Muthiah, Past President, FADA and Chairman & Managing Director, The Reliance Motor Co Pvt Ltd passed away on 18th September 2006. He was 76.

A scion of the famous M Ct family who are known for their sagacity and soundness in business enterprise and philanthropy, M Ct Muthiah was born on 19th October 1926. After his schooling from Doon School, he completed his Bachelor's degree from Allahabad University and MBA from Chicago University, United States.

M Ct Muthiah, a well-read and widely travelled person was associated with numerous institutions. He was a banker, an industrialist and a keen sportsman.

Muthiah carefully nurtured large institutions, such as, Indian Overseas Bank, United India Life Insurance, United India Fire & General Insurance, Travancore Rayons Ltd, promoted by his father Shri M Ct M Chidambaram Chettyar and his grandfather, Shri M Ct Muthiah Chettyar.

As the Chairman of Indian Overseas Bank Ltd from 1954 to 1969, he developed its overseas activities and pioneered training programme for officers & staff. Many innovations are to his credit like special savings service, personal loans for durable consumer goods, assistance to small-scale sector and financial assistance to agricultural sector, instant cashing of cheques by a close circuit TV system, etc. He was responsible for putting up multi-storey building which houses the Head office and other segments of Indian Overseas Bank and many branch buildings and residential premises in Malaysia, Singapore, Bangkok and Hongkong.

He was the President of Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Founder Director of Andhra Pradesh State Financial Corporation; Director of Kerala State Financial Corporation; Director of India Tourism Development Corporation; Member of Indian Advisory Board, ANZ Grindlays Bank; President of Rotary Club of Madras; and Board Member of Industrial Finance Corporation of India. He was also the Director of a number of public limited companies.

He was heading The Reliance Motor Co Pvt Ltd, a company which in its very long and cheque red history, has been the dealers of Hindustan Motors Ltd (till 1998), dealers of the erstwhile Jawa Motorcycle Industries and is presently the dealer of Hero Honda Motors Ltd. He nurtured this company well over 60 years and guided it with drive and elan.

He was the President of Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) during 1988-1989. In recognition of his contribution to automotive business and social welfare, he was presented with the coveted and prestigious 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by FADA and Motor Vehicles & Allied Industries Association, in the year 2002.

Till his very end, Muthiah continued to be associated with business, social, educational and charitable activities and was actively involved in promoting a number of charitable & social organisations including the following:

(i)	Chairman & Managing Director of M Ct M Global Investments Pvt India Ltd;
(ii)	President, Sir & Lady M Ct M Educational Trusts;
(iii)	Member - Advisory Board - SPIC MACAY, Delhi;
(iv)	Trustees of several charitable and educational institutions;
(v)	Member, Executive Committee, Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry; and
(vi)	Member of several social clubs.

 
A keen golfer & horse rider, M Ct Muthiah was the Chairman of South India Turf Club and Madras Race Club.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.