Palani G Periasamy is industrialist and educationalist. He is chairman of Chennai based PGP group of companies.

Early Years

Palani G. Periasamy was born in the small village of the Namakkal district. His father, Palani Gounder.

His father was a very strong influence raising him with enthusiasm, spirituality and confidence. His parents struggled to support their four children and worked very hard to make sure that their daughters were settled first. He then sold most of the land he owned to educate Dr. Periasamy. His main goal in life was for his son to make it to the top and hold the highest position he could.

After his father's passing, Dr. PGP wanted to continue his path of fulfilling his father's dream. His mother was unable to financially fund his college education so he borrowed money from one of his neighbors in the village to put himself through college.

Dr. PGP is know one of the top hoteliers, industrialists, educators and philanthropists in India.

Initial carrier

He graduated:

1. B.A&M.A-Economic from from Presidency College, University of Madras. He was state top rank holder and Gold medalist. He was President of Presidency College Union
2. Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Then he worked as teaching faculty at various colleges includes:

1. PSG Arts & Science College,Coimbatore
2. He taught Economics in The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
3. He was Director of the Graduate School of Business Management at University of Baltimore

Towards New Lease of Life

Dr. Periasamy and his wife, Visalashi Periasamy, came to the United States in 1968. With no financial resources, they sold all of their belongings with the exception of Mrs. Periasamy's thaali (the sacred thread of love and goodwill worn by women as a symbol of their marriage). With the love and support of their friends, they were able to survive the difficulties of being a first generation Indian couple in the United States circa 1968. Dr. PGP held a variety positions including one as a courier for UPS.

New Horizon

With the aim of self standing Dr.PGP incorporated PGP International Financial and Industrial Consultants Inc., USA. Extended his investments in hotel Ramada Inn & later acquired it. Then diversified to various activities

Business Establishment

• 1987 Setuped Dharani Sugars & Chemicals Limited with a plant of Naranapuran Village, Sivagi Taluk, Vasudevanallur in Thirunelveli.
• Expanded capacity of the plant.
• Established second plant.
• In 1990, Incorporated Dharani Finance Limited
• Acquired Hotel across South India through Appu Hotels Limited
• Established Dharani international Sourcing & Trading - Import, Export & Trading
• Incorporated Dharani Cements Limited in Ariyalur District
• Incorporated Dharani Finance Limited
• Dharani Finance Limited ventured in to tourism as Dharani Travels
• Divested Dharani Cements Limited to Aditya Birla Group
• In 2001 Expanded Hospitality business by establishing Le Royal Meridien Chennai
• Dharani Sugars & Chemicals Limited Established third plant near Kallakkurichi
• In 2010 Appu Hotels Opened Le Meridien in Coimbatore

Industrialist

He formed PGP group of companies which includes:

• Dharani Sugars & Chemicals Limited in Vasudevanallur, Tirunelveli
  Tirunelveli
  Tirunelveli , also known as Nellai , and historically as Tinnevelly, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Tirunelveli District and the sixth biggest city in Tamil Nadu...
  
  , Tamil Nadu and one more unit in Polur, Tirunelveli with production capacity of 2500 TCD. They started their third unit in Sankarapuram Taluk, Villupuram District in Tamil Nadu. In 1987 it was incorporated. It is traded in Chennai
  Madras Stock Exchange
  The Madras Stock Exchange is a stock exchange in Madras, , India. The Madras Stock Exchange is the fourth Stock Exchange to be established in the country, and the first in South India...
  
  , BSE
  Bombay Stock Exchange
  The Bombay Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located on Dalal Street, Mumbai and is the oldest stock exchange in Asia. The equity market capitalization of the companies listed on the BSE was 1.63 trillion as of December 2010, making it the 4th largest stock exchange in Asia and the 8th largest...
  
   and NSE
  National Stock Exchange of India
  The National Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located at Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is the 9th largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalization and largest in India by daily turnover and number of trades, for both equities and derivative trading. NSE has a market capitalization...
  
   stock exchanges.
• Appu Hotels Limited. Built and owns Delux 5 star hotel Le Royal Meridien, in Chennai & Coimabatore. Hotel Riverside Resort & Spa Kumbakonam
• Dharani travels is handling Air ticket for Indian air lines and Jet airways, Indian tourism and car rentals.
• Dharanai Developers Limited
• Dharanai Finance Limited
• Ananthi Developers Limited
• Started Dharani Cements in Ariyalur
  Ariyalur
  Ariyalur is a Municipality in Ariyalur district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.-Geography:Ariyalur is a municipality and headquarters of Ariyalur District in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is rich in limestone resources. Big industrial houses like Birlas , India cements, Dalmia cements, Madras...
  
  Tamil Nadu. Birla groups Grasim acquired this unit from PGP group

A Role Model

He is a role model for many tamil youths and for self-made self-standing businesses. He has educated thousands of young tamilians as well as worldwide individuals looking for a better life and greater opportunity.

PGP Group

PGP group of companies:

• Dharani Sugars & Chemicals Limited
• Appu Hotels Limited
• Dharanai Developers Limited
• Ananthi Developers Limited
• Dharani Finance Limited

(Dharani Finance [Core Business]||Dharani Travels (IATA Agency) (Travels, Tourism, Car Rental)||Dharani Forex || Dharani Logistics || Dharani international Sourcing & Trading )

Educationalist

Periyasamy has founded the following educational institutions.

• PGP College of Engineering & Technology
• PGP College of Arts & Science
• PGP Polytechnic College
• PGP College of Education
• PGP College of Nursing & Research
• PGP College of Pharmacy & Research
• PGP International School
• PGP Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Dharani Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• PGP ITI - Namakkal
• PGP ITI - Dharani Nagar

Personal Life

1. Visalakshi periasamy, Wife
2. Dharani, Son
3. Ananthai, daughter

He also founded the PGP Community Radio Station.

External links

• http://www.leroyalmeridien-chennai.com/
• http://dharanitravels.org/index.htm
• http://www.pgpedu.ac.in/