CavinKare-MMA confers Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards to small scale businesses from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry ~ 8th Edition of Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards recognizes entrepreneurs under Innovations and Great Ideas category ~ Chennai, 5th September, 2019: The 8th Edition of Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards recognized and honored four exemplary small scale businesses from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for their innovative practices and great idea in a grand event that took place at KamarajArangam today. The annual flagship andprestigious event in Chennai organized by FMCG giant CavinKare in association with Madras Management Association (MMA) was graced by Harsh C Mariwala, Chairman, Marico Ltd as the Chief Guest along with other veterans from across industries. Commemorated in the memory of Late Shri R Chinnikrishnan and to celebrate his revolutionary innovation, Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards was instituted in the year 2011. Since its inception, the award has recognized over 25 small-scale businesses for their innovative practices. Over the course of its 8 years journey, the award property has brought to limelight many hidden entrepreneurial ventures from across the state of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry that have benefited people and recognized businesses that are unique and scalable. Spread across two categories – Innovation and Great Ideas, winners of the innovation awards are also mentored by CavinKare to provide support on marketing, finance, designing, packaging, R&D and HR. Introduced last year, the ‘GREAT IDEAS’ category aims to recognize and foster the next big idea, which can become a business opportunity and scalable in a reasonable time frame. Speaking on the occasion, CK Ranganathan – Chairman & Managing Director of CavinKare Pvt. Ltd said, “We are extremely delighted to acknowledge the evolution of ‘Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards’. It has gained and helped a lot of small scale entrepreneurs to innovate and scale up their business. The award established in the year 2011 stands a testimony for recognition of path-breaking entrepreneurs who are transforming India to the next level. Today, as we stand on this platform recognizing the growth of the participant’s year on year, Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards gives us a sense of enlightenment and happiness.” Adding to this, Mr. A Venkataramani, President – Madras Management Association & Managing Director – IP Rings, said MMA is indeed privileged to be associated with Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards, which stood for recognizing great innovative practices including great ideas which in essence reflected the business philosophy and beliefs of MrChinnikrishnan in whose honour the award has been instituted byCavinKare. The call for nominations process received 396 applications from across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, where the nominees were interviewed under various stringent guidelines streamlined by process advisor E&Y. The distinguished panel of Jury for thisprestigious award was Mr Lakshmi Narayanan, Former Chairman & CEO, Cognizant, Mr K Srinivasan, Managing Director, Carborundum Universal Ltd, Ms Shuba Kumar, Managing Director, NatesanSynchroconesPvt Ltd, MrMahalingam K, Director, TSM Group of Companies, MsMridula Ramesh, Executive Director, Sundaram Textiles and Mr Satish Kumar K, Global Head- Legal & Chief Data Protection Officer, Ramco Systems Ltd. The following entrepreneurs were awarded for 8th CavinKare-MMA Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards 2019: INNOVATIONS: S Rajarathnam, Leaf Culture: Towards innovation in production of high yielding plant saplings through leaf propagation. Mr S Rajarathinam of the Eden Nursery Gardens is involved in innovative production and multiplication of plant and tree saplings organically by using tender coconut water as the rooting agent. This technology is extremely simple, cost of production is low, genetic purity of the saplings is guaranteed, result in the increase yield and income of the farmers. R Niveda&Mr S Gowtham, Natural Sanitary pad revolution: Towards creation and production of Bliss Natural… a completely bio-degradable natural sanitary pad made using Kenaf fiber. It is 100% natural, uses no synthetic chemicals, it greatly reduces the itching and irritation that synthetic pads caused. The germicidal properties of Kenaf prevent infections and the entire pad will degrade into its elements in a short time. It is a win win game for women’s health and nation’s environment. Mr V Prasanna, Mr Ravi V N and MrGauthamJayaram, Coral Safari: Towards conceptualizing and operating south Asia’s only glass bottomed semi submarine vessel MV Seashine at Andaman and Nicobar islands. Mr. Prasanna, Mr. Ravi and Mr. Gowtham the Co-founders of Heaven on Oceans a company are operates semi submarine in Andaman sea, wherein people can now sail through the underwater world in the comfort of a modern air-conditioned cabin. People of all ages including physically challenged can now be seated comfortably in India’s only glass bottomed Semi Submarine and enjoy the sights and colors of the marine kingdom. In addition to entertaining the tourist this unique experience also spreads awareness about marine life and coral reeves. GREAT IDEAS: PrajwelKaruna, SID (Smart Intra-venous Dripper): Towards developing a smart intravenous dripper that controls the drip flow intelligently and allows healthcare professionals to monitor drip flow remotely. MrPrajwelKaruna and his team at Rekindle Automation Pvt Ltd have developed a smart intravenous dripper which helps doctors and nurses to monitor intravenous drips of several patients real time from their location. It relays key data such as the amount of liquid left, rate of flow, time for completion etc making it easier for healthcare professionals to prioritize attention. This smart intravenous dripper will be a boon to hospitals, patients and health care professionals in times to come. About Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards: Dreamer, innovator, ideator, entrepreneur – just some of the words that can describe Late Shri R Chinnikrishnan, the man who pioneered the sachet revolution. His idea were based on the simple philosophy that, “what the rich man can enjoy, the poor man should be able to afford”. Today, his innovations are seen in every shop in the form of sachets. They stand testimony to the fact that his dream is alive and well. CavinKare has constituted an award as a tribute to Late Shri R. Chinnikrishnan to encourage businessmen/businesswomen running small and tiny scale industries,. “The Chinnikrishnan innovation Awards” focuses on the overall value of the innovation in terms of its uniqueness, its benefits to people and its ability to be scalable. Those being shortlisted will be mentored in all their business development activities covering varied specializations. About CavinKare Pvt. Ltd: CavinKare is a diversified FMCG major with business interest in personal care, professional care, dairy, snacks, foods, beverages & salons. The brand portfolio consists of Shampoos (Chik, Meera, Karthika and Nyle), Hair Wash Powders (Meera&Karthika), Coconut Oil (Meera), Fairness creams (Fairever), Deodorant & Talc (Spinz), Pickles & Snacks (Ruchi, Chinni’s& Garden), Hair Colours (Indica), Retail Salon Products (Raaga Professional), Beverages (Maa), Dairy (Cavin’s), and Beauty Salons (Green Trends &Limelite). Most of the brands are clear winners in their respective product categories. A dedicated R & D center equipped with latest equipment and technologies constantly supports the divisions in their endeavor. CavinKare has achieved significant milestones and a competitive edge with sound understanding of mass marketing dynamics and has established a firm foothold in the national market. CavinKare’s success is based on it being firmly grounded to its corporate mission ‘we shall achieve growth by continuously offering unique products and services that would give customers utmost satisfaction and thereby be a role model’. In an effort to recognize the women for their immense contribution in the success of one’s life. About Madras Management Association (MMA):Madras Management Association (MMA) was established in 1956 with the prime objective of promoting management education, training and development activities in this part of the country. The vision of MMA is “To be the Fountainhead of Worldclass Management Excellence in India”. Over the past 63 years, MMA has striven for development and nurturing management expertise, combining Indian ethos with International Management thoughts and practices. MMA has contributed immensely to the enhancement of management capability in this part of the country, and in particular Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. MMA has over 7000 corporate houses, industries, professionals, academics and executives on its rolls as members. MMA annually organizes about 750 executive development activities, including seminars for top management with a total participation of fifty nine thousand executives and entrepreneurs. MMA is the largest affiliate association of All India Management Association (AIMA) in the country and has been adjudged as the Best Management Association in India by AIMA for ten times in a row including the “National Excellence Award” for the year 2017-18. Apart from corporate leaders, MMA has, in its Managing Committee, the Vice Chancellors of Madras University & Anna University, the Directors of IIT Madras and IFMR and the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamilnadu, as members.