Agro Food Chamber Of Commerce &
Industry – established in the year 2010.
Founder & CMD
Agro Food Trade Centre (AFTC), Madurai, - the SPV to establish state–of-
the-art infrastructure for Cereals, Pulses and Staples (CPS) Cluster, an
unique project approved by GoI in 2004 under Industrial Infrastructure
Upgradation Scheme (IIUS), 2003, at a cost of Rs.40 crore with grant-in-
aid of GoI and contributions by our Stakeholders, in a span of 30 acres of
land (total land cost by SPV) at Sikkanthar Chavadi, Madurai - a green field
project, first of its kind in our country. This project was put to operation
from 2009 and on total completion formally inaugurated in the year 2013.
Subsequently two State-of-the-art Auditoriums viz., Grains Main
Auditorium and Millets Mini Auditorium and several other infra and
equipments were added. Now a Convention Hall to accommodate 1500
pax is being planned.
Founder & Chairman
TN CHAMBER FOUNDATION (a Trust) – established in 2011, with the
objective to construct a Convention and Trade Centre at Madurai. Land
measuring about 20 acres has been purchased for this purpose.
Senior President
TN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY- served as the President for 15
years from 1993 and continues as Senior President to the day. During the
Golden Era of TN Chamber under his leadership, he constructed three
state-of-the-art Auditoriums viz., Chamber Platinum Jubilee HATSUN
Auditorium, MEPCO Mini Auditorium and GOLD WINNER Meeting Hall.
He established an office for the Chamber at Chennai in the year 2008.
Founder of Forums
Brain behind the concept of the following forums: YES, WE, BPC, SHARP,
EPC, TOUR-i-ST, DIGIT–ALL, ARIMUGAM, AIM, BLESS and WATERSHED TO
MARKET SHED. Thiru S.Rethinavelu invited His Excellency the President
of India, Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, during his Presidentship itself, to address
the first meeting of YES held at TN Chamber Platinum Jubilee Hatsun
Auditorium on 27.08.2004 and also to inaugurate the Forum DIGIT-ALL
on 09.07.2015 at the same Auditorium.
Founder of Tribunal
CHAMBER ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL (ChaAT) to settle commercial disputes without
approaching regular courts – inaugurated by Chief Justice of Madras High Court,
Justice Mr.A.P.Shah in 2007.
International Delegation
Took up Trade Delegations to 12 Countries from 1999, to promote bi-lateral
trade, including USA, Africa, China and Vietnam.
Creative Head of International Expo
Having introduced “Chamber Trade Fair”, an annual event from 1997 to TN
Chamber, he is the Creative Head of VIBRANT TAMILNADU INTERNATIONAL
EXPO on Food Products held at Madurai in 2018, 2019 and 2023,
organised by TN Chamber Foundation along with EPC.
Uzhavar Santhai
The concept of ‘Uzhavar Santhai’ (Farmers Market) was mentioned by him
to the then Chief Minister Dr.Kalaignar Karunanidhi, which he
magnanimously acknowledged in his speech in the Platinum Jubilee
Celebrations of TN Chamber, which was held on the same day of the
inauguration of First “ Uzhavar Santhai “ at Madurai in the year 1999.
Member
TAMILNADU AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE MARKETING (REGULATION) ACT - HIGH LEVEL
COMMITTEE
TAMILNADU TRADERS WELFARE BOARD.
MADURAI AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Former Secretary
TN FOODGRAINS MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION – as the Joint Secretary and Secretary
(1971-1988) he established a Food Analytical Laboratory in 1978 and constructed
a building for the Association with Meeting Hall in East Masi Street itself,
which was inaugurated in 1988.
Former Trustee
V.O.CHIDAMBARANAR PORT TRUST, TUTICORIN.
Former Member
MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY SENATE.
APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority), NEW DELHI.
Former Sr. Vice-President
Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), New Delhi.
Founder of Agri Products Brand
AGRIMINE – a Brand Name conceived by him, allowed to be used by new
exporters free of cost.
International Delegation
Took up Trade Delegations to 12 Countries, to promote bi-lateral trade,
including USA, Africa, China and Vietnam
Own Business
Subbiah Group of Companies dealing in Edible Oil, Pulses, Dairy products and
Household Appliances, etc.,
Formerly Managing Director of Super Polytex (P) Ltd., (manufacturers of HDPE
Woven Fabric & Sacks)
Bhagavathi Hospitals (P) Ltd., (a poly nursing home)
Independent Director (17 years) of Thangamayil Jewellery Ltd.
Honours
The Hindu christened him as “Madurai’s
Mastermind” and the “Dreamer and the Doer”.
The Times of India titled him as “Commercial
Quotient”.
Most Admired Leader of Trade & Industry
Being a powerful speaker having unique skill of making effective
representations, he is felicitated as the “Most Admired Leader of Trade
& Industry”.
Visionary Leader
This “Visionary Leader” was instrumental in getting several infra to the
State, particularly Railway Broad-guage Connectivity to Madurai and
Southern Tamilnadu, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court,
International Connectivity for Madurai Airport and approval of
AIIMS Hospital for Madurai etc., etc.
Infra Man
In his 50 + years of public life, with passion, utmost honesty and
integrity, wherever he takes up the responsibility, he used to construct
state- of- the- art buildings and other infra to the organisation for its use
and to be remembered forever and successfully persuading both the
governments to set up several infra for the growth of trade and industry
and beneficial to the general public and hence he is recognised as
“Infra Man”.
Books Written
Wrote books on Value Added Tax (VAT), Goods and Services Tax (GST)
and compiled a Book “Appavukku Thappathu Pirantha Pillai”,
highlighting the unique qualities of Thiru M.K.Alagiri, the Union Minister
of Chemicals and Fertilisers in the year 2010.
