Industrialist M.A.M. Ramaswamy passes away

Industrialist M.A.M. Ramaswamy died here on Wednesday, his adopted son M.A.M.R. Muthiah said. He was 84.

"He passed away at 4.30 p.m. at a hospital. He was in a serious condition for the past around 15 days. The funeral will be held on Sunday here," Muthiah told IANS.

Ramaswamy headed the Chettinad group having interests in cements, logistics and other business.

A former member of the Rajya Sabha, Ramaswamy was also interested in race horses and owned a stud farm.

In the fag end of his life, he was involved in a public spat with his son.

"I have disowned him and do not wish to call him my son. Whatever the law may be, he is no more my son. According to me, he can be only S. Ayyappan (original name) and not M.A.M.R. Muthiah," Ramaswamy told the media here at his residence in June.

According to Ramaswamy, though a substantial part of his properties is with Ayyappan, whatever is remaining should go to two charitable trusts -- Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy Chettiar of Chettinad Charitable Trust and Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy Chettiar Trust -- in which Ayyappan will have no part to play or have a say.

"I have also written and registered a will that all the assets which may be left at the time of my death would go only to the said trusts and not to Ayyappan or M.A.M.R. Muthiah or any one claiming on his behalf or under him," Ramaswamy said.