Interview with Dr J Hareendran Nair, Founder , Managing Director, Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Pvt.Ltd,

INTERVIEW

Dr J Hareendran Nair, Founder & Managing Director, Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Pvt.Ltd, is well known for his efforts to promote and preserve one of the oldest form of medicine exist in the world. Under his able leadership Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Ltd has come a long way and having the credit to be the Keralas first ISO 9000 certified company in Ayurvedic medicine and also established an overwhelming presence across the globe with a vast range of products and services in Ayurvedic sector.

Presently he is working in various capacities such as Chief Executive Pankajakasthuri Panchakarma Centres within the state & outside, Founder & Secretary of Pankajakasthuri Herbal Research Foundation (Regd.under Societies Act.),Advisor on Ayurveda to Govt.of Nagaland, member of the Regional Advisory Committee for the Organized sector & service tax sector in the central Excise & Customs, Trivandrum, Member of the Medicinal Plant Board, Kerala State,:Representative of Reputed R&D institution in DST-NSTEB Division –EDC of University of Kerala, Founder Director of the Care Keralam, A cluster Company in Ayurveda sector to promote Kerala brand Ayurvedic products –which is a joint venture of KSIDC,KINFRA & Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers formed as IIUS OF GOVT.OF INDIA and Patron Chinmaya Mission, Thiruvananthapuram.

In an interview to Sreeni K.R, J Hareendran Nair, Founder & Managing Director, Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Pvt.Ltd, Spoke at length about the Ayurveda- The Science of life.

Briefly describe about Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a science which describes about the longevity of life. “Ayusho Vedaha Ayurvedaha” is a Ayurvedic System which describes treatment not only for diseases but for the body also. According to Ayurveda body is maintained by three vital pillars called doshas(vata, pitta& kapha) which is supported by ‘Panchamahabhuthas’ and ‘Shad Rasas’. Maintenance of equilibrium of these doshas is called treatment “Doshasamavayeekaranam Chikitsa”. Ayurvedic medicines act on the body like foods which nourish the body.

When did Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Ltd established and what was its motto?
Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Ltd [PHIL] was established in 1988 and the motto is to make money through genuine business and to give employment to the needy of the society.

In which areas you have established your identity?
We have established our identity in manufacturing & Marketing of genuine Ayurvedic medicines and scientific propagation of Ayurvedic system of medicine.

Your Flagship product is still Pankajakasthuri breathe EC? What is the secret behind it?
Our Flagship product is still Pankajakasthuri breathe EC. Efficacy, Quality & Reliability is the secret behind our products. Pankajakasthuri works on the shrunken bronchioles, expanding them ( Bronchodialation ),clearing phlegm(expectoration) and promoting uniform air passage in the lungs.

You mainly got four product divisions? Which are they and what are its functions?
We mainly got four product divisions. They are classified as Classical, Ethical, FMCG & OTC.

Classical: It means medicines prescribed in authentic Ayurvedic texts like Arishtams, Kashayams ,Lehyams, oils etc. which are marketed through agencies called “Pankajakasthuri Jeevanam”.

Ethical: It means patented Ayurvedic medicines marketed through ethical way of marketing, i.e. doctors prescribing and patients buying from the medical shops. Examples: Orthonervin tablets, Liv-care plus tablets, somatone tablets etc.

FMCG: It means Fast Moving Consumer Goods. Examples: Kasthuri Herbal Soap, Kaveri Hair tonic, Kaveri Herbal Soap, Kaveri Fairness Milk Cream etc.

OTC: It means Over the Counter items. i.e. marketed through advertisements. Examples Pankajakasthuri Breathe Eazy, Kasthuri Cough Syrup etc.

You have established Pankajakasthuri Herbal Research Foundation and Pankajakasthuri Herbal Garden Scheme? What are its functions?
Pankajakasthuri Herbal Research Foundation [PKHRF] is for doing research in Ayurveda, setting up of Educational institutions, Standardisation of Raw materials and finished products etc. It was 13-acre herbal garden in Poovachal, Trivandrum.

Herbal garden scheme is for propagating the values of traditional cultivation of medicinal plants and for entering into agreements with self help groups etc. Also gives the saplings free of cost to NGOs and other institutions for propagating Ayurvedic wisdom. The Company has also initiated a scheme for the cultivation of all the 740 documented species described in the famous Horthus Malabaricus, the renowned 17th century work. A large number of these species are lost or unidentifiable today. The objective is to identify those presumed lost and create a biological environment suitable for the propagation of the species for the benefit of the future generations.

What are the specialists of Pankajakasthuri Ayurvedic Medical College?
It was the first self financing Medical College of the state where we provide free medicines for 200-250 patients every day. 50 bedded charity ward is functioning where all treatments where given free of cost including food. Also providing free lunch to 1000 people’s everyday in the college premises called ‘Patheyam’. Also College is headed by eminent personalities in the field of Ayurveda. The college offers top class facilities, a well-stocked library of writings on Ayurveda, well-equipped drug standardization laboratory, publication division and a highly experienced faculty. The college also provides a stimulating and inspiring ambience conducive for learning. Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College has got a reputed name among Ayurveda Colleges of the state.

You have started two business models for the harmony brand? What are they and when it was launched?
Harmony is for setting up of Ayurvedic Treatment Centres inside the country and outside in star hotels, resorts etc for doing Scientific Ayurvedic rejuvenation treatments. The other one is called Panacea through which patients are being brought here for therapeutic treatments for chronic ailments like arthritis, Paralysis etc. It was launched on 2005.

Which are the honours and awards you received?
All together we received more than 130 awards. Major awards includes Trivandrum Management Association Management Leadership Award, Sai Maa Award(international) for Ayurvedic Propagation, Govt. Industries Dept. Best Entrepreneur Award, Kerala Govt.Ayurvedic Medical Officers Association ‘Yuvaprathibha award’ and Ayurvedaretna award etc .

You have conducted lot of medical camps? Which are they and what are their aims?
Every second Saturdays we are organizing free medical camps with all medicines and laboratory services from the last 5 years. I am propagating my science through the acceptance of the society.

What is your future plans and vision for 2020?
Propagation of my system to every nook and corner of the globe and find medicine for every disease. Ayurveda should be accepted as the main stream treatment system by our society and every human being shall use Ayurveda at least for meeting a part of his or her general health care needs and healthy build up. False propaganda against Ayurveda must be stopped and should be accepted by modern doctors. All technical advancement of modern sciences should be incorporated with my system and should be utilized for the benefit of the needy and poor of the society. My company should be placed on the top of Ayurvedic companies in Kerala in terms of turn over and hospital in case of treatment.