The eldest son of Arutselvar Dr N Mahalingam, Philanthropist and Industrialist, Sri M Manickam (aged 49 years) had his MBA from Michigan University after completing his M.Sc (Statistics) Degree with distinction from the Madras University. Having taken to his family business along with his father, he was instrumental in the setting up of sugar factories at Sivaganga in Taminadu and at Dhenkanal in Orissa. He has to his credit in running efficiently and profitably the 24000 Tonnes of castings per annum Foundry at Pallagoundenpalayam, near Erode. He has also developed a modern Soya Processing Plant near Pollachi.

He has also interest in various companies dealing in Beverages, Textile, Leasing Finance, Sugar, Transport, etc. as Chairman, and Director.

He is the Chairman of the Governing Council of Nachimuthu Polytechnic College, Pollachi and Correspondent for 5 other Educational Institutions. He evinces keen interest in the development of good infrastructure in the technical institutions and the implementation of computer based training programmes for the workforce.

He was the President of the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), New Delhi for 1996-97, President of South Indian Sugar Mills Association (SISMA) (Tamilnadu) for 1993-94 and 1994-95 and President of Sugar Technologists’ of India (STAI) for 2000-01 and 2001-02. He has been elected as the President of SISMA (Tamilnadu) for the current year 2005-06.