IndustryNational and Dravidian movements
India Cements was started by S. N. N. Sankaralinga Iyer, whose first factory was at Thalaiyuthu near Tirunelveli.
S. N. N. Sankaralinga Iyer founded The India Cements Limited in 1946. The company built its first plant at Thalaiyuthu, in the Tirunelveli area. Over the years it became one of the bigger cement producers in India. Chennai is home to its headquarters.
Porto Novo iron works established
With a loan from the government, Josiah Marshall Heath set up iron and steel works at Porto Novo (Parangipettai) in South Arcot.
Standard Fireworks founded at Sivakasi
N. R. K. Rajarathnam founded Standard Fireworks at Sivakasi, first making matches and later fireworks.
Central Leather Research Institute founded in Madras
The Central Leather Research Institute was founded in Madras as a laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Ashok Motors (later Ashok Leyland) founded in Madras
Raghunandan Saran founded Ashok Motors in Madras to assemble cars; it became Ashok Leyland in 1955.
Neyveli Lignite Corporation established
A central public sector company was set up to mine lignite and generate power at Neyveli in South Arcot district.
Construction of Salem Steel Plant begins
Following a Government of India decision in May 1972 to locate a special steels plant at Salem, construction got under way.
