WALKING into hotel Le Royal Meridien one late Saturday afternoon I felt a sense of regality.
As the ornate decor and supersized cielings welcomed me, I searched for a familiar face, who I was meant to meet over lunch.
Dr. Palani Periasamy is the Chairman of the hotel and is invested in various other industries including Sugar and education.
But his simplicity and warmth are remarkable.
A man who hails from a middle- class background always hoped to reach out through his endeavours. “When I was young I always wanted to be an IAS officer so I can help the people of my village,” he shares. “I feel am not the only smart man in the world but I have been lucky,” confides a man who is known for his philanthropy in the districts of interior Tamil Nadu. After having struggled at an early age, he scored a scholarship to study in the United States, but returned the stipend once he started working there. “I wanted to help people in India. I had seen so much poverty and need in my hometown and this was my chance to do something,” he smiles. “Even with my sugar business it is not just commercial.
I make sure we provide welfare and sustainable employment to nearly 40,000 farmers,” shares the man who lives between the US and India because his wife and kids are settled there.
His plush suite at his Chennai hotel adorned with exquisite art is handpicked by the man who shares, “I use my free time to read and shop for art sometimes,” and he shows us a beautiful handcrafted glass work that he bought in the US. Speaking of his ties with the legendary MGR he says, “I learnt a lot from my friend MGR. He is humble and always returned a favour,” continuing to add that “His generosity and concern for the people was simply inspiring.” But talk about his generosity and his philanthropic ventures, Dr. Palani Periasamy gets uncomfortable “I don’t like talking about our charity work. I do it for satisfaction and to help people.
Media coverage is not what I seek.” He is also excited about his 5 acre property the group is coming up with in Coimbatore.
“I think second tier metros have a lot of potential and we shall offer state of the art hotels at affordable prices to common people.
I want to inculcate healthy lifestyle practices among the middle class and encourage them to enjoy hospitality and fine dining with their families,” he says as he lounges about in his private suite with a dedicated lift in the hotel.