On the evening of Sunday, June 22, the hearse of Mr Murugaia Ramachandra, 93, was brought to Jothi Store at Little India’s Campbell Lane for one final visit.
Onlookers paused as the narrow road, carpeted and strewn with flower petals, welcomed him back to his beloved store before he was taken to Mandai Crematorium. Mr Ramachandra was well known for his warm, engaging conversations with customers – a trait that earned him enduring loyalty and deep respect.
Founder of Jothi Store and the Jothi Trading Group, Mr Ramachandra passed away on June 19, 2025, at 9 pm. He was born on December 21, 1931, in Thirumakkottai, a town near Mannargudi in Tamil Nadu, India, and arrived in Singapore at the age of 16.
He began his career as an office assistant at Tamil Murasu. While working, he took night classes and later joined the Singapore Tiger Standard newspaper, where he rose to become its chief library officer. When the company shut down in 1960, he lost his job and subsequently opened a small provision shop in a shophouse on Campbell Lane.
Over the years, he rented the neighbouring shop, eventually purchasing the first floor of the current building. By 1992, he had acquired a five-storey building. His business flourished not only in Singapore but also expanded to Malaysia and India.
Jothi Store has since become a household name in the Singapore Indian community. Yet Mr Ramachandra never rested on his laurels. He was present at the store every day – it was rare to find him away. He believed that personally overseeing operations brought prosperity to the business. He maintained this daily routine until the final three weeks of his life.
Beyond business, he offered fatherly advice to customers on matters such as weddings and funeral rites.
Honorary Secretary of the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA), Mr Ruthirapathy Parthasarathy, who knew Mr Ramachandra for over 30 years, described him as an “unassuming philanthropist.”
“Mr Ramachandra helped shopkeepers in Little India who were struggling to pay rent due to family circumstances. Much of the good he did was without fanfare,” said Mr Ruthirapathy.
He noted that Mr Ramachandra was a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs. “Despite his wealth, he placed strong emphasis on his children’s education. His eldest daughter, Jothi, excelled in the education field, while his other two daughters went into banking and nursing, respectively.”
Mr Ramachandra donated S$500,000 to build a hall at the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and remained a generous supporter of temple functions and consecration ceremonies.
Describing him as a man of deep faith, Mr R. Mahendran, chairman of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, said: “He visited temples regularly and was deeply concerned about their growth. He gave valuable suggestions. His passing is a great loss not only to temples, but to the wider Indian community.”
Ms Joyce Kingsley, owner of SIS Premium Meats, shared her cherished bond with him. Their families once lived in the same Selegie House neighbourhood. “A quiet but warm and compassionate human being. The memory of him opening my recent store and cutting the ribbon still warms my heart,” she said.
In a social media tribute, Singapore Indian Education Trust (SIET) wrote: “A firm believer in education, his quiet and sustained donations over the years have benefited hundreds of students.”
Though he had made Singapore his permanent home, Mr Ramachandra never forgot his roots. Mr V. Ramamoorthy, owner of Chennai Trading & Supermart, said he helped restore many old and dilapidated temples in Thirumakkottai and its surrounding areas.
Mr Sunil Kumar, owner of Sai Baba Fashion on Dunlop Street, added that Mr Ramachandra had also built a school in Thirumakkottai.
“The school was named after his mother, Ponnukannu Vedambal. Built in 2000, it now has 600 students,” he said.
Mr Ramachandra’s wife, Rajappa Dhanalakshmi – his devout and trusted companion – passed away in 2022 at the age of 85.
He is survived by three daughters, a son, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.
The family recalled that the patriarch was not only a beloved father and grandfather but also a mentor who lived by example.
His son, Mr Rajkumar, now owner of Jothi Store, said: “I once asked him, ‘Why are you giving away so much?’ My father replied, ‘Our business was supported by the Indian community in Singapore. We must give back to them.’”
Grandson and LISHA Chairman Mr Raghunath Siva said, “My grandfather showed us that success in life is not measured by wealth or influence.”
“There is a deep void in our hearts, but his legacy lives on. If I can achieve even half of what he did by the time I reach his age, I would consider myself blessed.”
Mr T. Rajendran, trustee of the Arulmigu Velmurugan Temple in Jurong East, noted that Mr Ramachandra was one of the few who supported efforts to establish the temple in the 1990s.
Mr Abdul Samad, managing director of Hanifa Textiles, said Mr Ramachandra’s life and service had left an enduring mark on the community due to his foresight and unwavering commitment.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash, who was among several dignitaries at the wake, said the large turnout reflected Mr Ramachandra’s generous and philanthropic spirit.
Grandson Ramanathan Ravindran added, “My grandfather built a great business through hard work and perseverance. His honourable character and good name will always live on.”
Karthigesan Maniam, who is married to one of Mr Ramachandra’s granddaughters, said: “I’m proud to be part of a family led by such a widely respected man.”
Granddaughter Malar shared: “Thatha (grandfather) shone as a guiding light in my life. His gentle actions and steadfast values shaped me.”
