SHRI P. Muthuswamy, who was an employee of P & T, was the Founder as well as the Chief Author of Swamy Publishers, which is still the most valuable and reputed publications on rules and regulations affecting Central Government employees. This organization which had a humble beginning sometime in 1955, has during the last 50 years grown in leaps and bounds and has attained great popularity and recognition. The books which Shri P. Muthuswamy wrote are now in great demand in all Central Government organizations and Public Undertakings. It would be no exaggeration to say that today there are no acts, rules or orders of significance issued by the Central Government in relation to civil employees which are not included in Swamy's Publications
Personal Traits: Shri Muthuswamy was a great person, also a humanist and a philanthropist. He is known for his friendship and camaraderie with his associates and friends. In spite of his striking success, Mr. Muthuswamy has remained to his friends and erstwhile colleagues the same, Mr. Muthuswamy when they first met. Everyone had wondered at the deep compassion Mr. Muthuswamy had for the less fortunate. He was admired for his remarkable strength and resourcefulness in making sure everyone is cared for. Mr. Swamy belonged to the entire country and indeed to all humanity. He was a soul of simplicity and humility. His passing away moved us, but it was his values, his style of living, his magnanimous nature and his multifaceted personality that endeared him to all of us.
His early days:
Shri Muthuswamy was born in a lower middle class family on the 22nd June, 1920. He had a bright educational career and got his first class degree in Mathematics in 1940. He could not afford to continue his studies to the postgraduate level. Even to complete his graduate course his mother had to part with most of her jewellery.
Entry in P & T Department:
Immediately after graduation, he had to seek employment to support his family. In the Postal Circle Recruitment Competitive Examination he took in 1941, he secured a high rank and entered service as a Post Office Clerk on 1st August, 1941.
His early ambition:
Ever since he took the Competitive Examination, he had an urge to bring out guidebooks for the candidates seeking the postal clerical service. When he applied to the Postmaster-General, Madras , for permission to bring out such books, the Superintendent of Post Offices, through whom the application was to be sent, refused even to forward his application! Out of sheer frustration, he had to give up his hopes
His struggle for promotion:
He realized that his clerical status had its limitations in coming into contact with well-wishers who could recognize his talent and advise him. He also felt that the only way to prove himself was to appear for the Government examinations.
He took the examination for promotion as Post Office Accountant and passed out successfully in 1950. At the time Nizam State 's postal administration was taken over by the Union Government and there was police action, he was sent on deputation from Chennai Circle to a Head Post Office in the state. Simultaneously, he passed the All India Examination of P & T Accountants' Service and soon after was posted to the P & T Directorate, New Delhi .
His inspiration for publishing books:
As an Accountant in Delhi , he had an opportunity to conduct regular free classes for the benefit of his junior colleagues. He edited his lectures to the examinees in the form of cyclostyled notes and sold them at a nominal price on a no-profit basis to examinees in other cities as well. He found that the material supplied by him was immensely useful and that his presentation was received with great enthusiasm.
First Project:
Encouraged by this response, he decided to bring out his first publication Pension Rules Made Easy in October, 1957. He became heavily indebted in finding finance for this project and had to sell away even his wife's personal jewellery. He had to face a lot of problems in the initial stages due to lack of publicity
His perseverance:
He did not lose hope. He was confident that his book was worth its weight in gold. Whosoever had an opportunity to know about the book eagerly purchased it. In due course, this book gained popularity. With perseverance, he added three more books in 1958. By the end of that year, he became well known in many Central Government Offices across the country as a reliable instructor and interpreter in the field of Guidebooks for Service Rules
Patronage by Government:
This bold venture brought him harassment at the hands of his superior officers. His bosses even tried to take him to task under the “Conduct Rules” for bringing out such publications. It was a long battle between personal prejudices on the one hand and merit and justice on the other. Eventually the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance recognized his talent in dealing with the subjects in an efficient as well as effective way.
Author's Reputation:
In due course, he added several titles which included numerous reference books recognized by the Government. The Ministry of Finance specially designated him as an Officer on Special Duty for about three years in the Department of Expenditure to assist them in the codification of rules. He had quite a few out-of-turn promotions in his career in the P & T Department and finally retired as Director, P & T Accounts and Finance Service in the year 1978.
Starting the Charitable Trust:
After a successful career under the Central Government and a renowned publishing business, he started a Charitable Trust in 1981. He diverted a substantial portion of the profits of his business to the Trust every year. The Trust was granting educational scholarships and financial assistance for marriages, medical treatment, etc., to the poor sections of the society.
The School Project:
For decades, he was receiving encomiums from his patrons who benefited from his publications. His publications, no doubt, helped the Government employees to achieve promotions in their career. He was, however, anxious to do something more for the coming generation and impart to them the tool which sharpened their wits, their understanding and activated their capacity to learn.
His personal experience and the constant reminder of what a good education does to an individual spurred him to divert his entire income to the cause of learning. He felt that the most tangible way of achieving this ambition was to establish a School which provides education of an excellent standard. This was the basis of starting the school.
Swamy's Personal Contributions:
Shri Muthuswamy donated his entire immovable property to the Trust for taking care of the land needed for the school project up to Class XII. He donated all his movable assets, bank balances and all his investments to the Charitable Trust to finance the construction of the School and to meet the requirements up to Class V. His beneficiaries, business associates and admirers have also helped his cause by donating their mite to strengthen his hands.
Shri Muthuswamy lived for the School and devoted his full attention to its healthy development and stabilization. In just five years, he was able to execute his idea of starting a school and completed building a landmark at Porur with two magnificent buildings and present it to the society.
Swamy Publishers (P) Ltd. |
236, R. K. Mutt Road, Post Box No. 2468, R. A. Puram, CHENNAI -- 600 028 |
Phone: 2493 83 65 Fax: 2493 83 63 |
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Delhi Branch : 4855, 24, Ansari Road, Near Sanjeevan Hospital |
Daryaganj, New DELHI -- 110 002 |
Phone: 2325 92 56 Fax: 2328 16 97 |
