VAIDYAR AS AN INDUSTRIALIST

Pioneer in Ayurvedic Medicinal Soap

Kesavan Vaidyar can be considered as a pioneer in the field of Ayurvedic Toilet Soap. His “Chandrika soap” is based on unique formula he has evolved. His attempt at integrating the wisdom of ancient sages of India with modern scientific knowledge was a great success. Chandrika A PIOyurvedic soap has become very popular in India and abroad.

In the beginning, Chandrika was used mainly to treat skin diseases. Not only Ayurvedic physicians, but also Doctors practicing modern medicine, prescribe Chandrika for a number of skin ailments. All those who used Chandrika found it wonderfully efficacious and they spread the news. The demand for the soap grew steadily. In the meanshile, Sri Vidyar continued his experiments and research and Chandrika become a cosmetic soap for daily use with great medicinal values.
As an industry, Chandrika had a very humble beginning. In the soap factory , S. V. PRODUCTS, Sri Kesavan Vaidyar and his wife were the only workers. Later their two children joined them. Together they did all the work form manufacturing to selling by hawking. In 1944, Chandrika won a Merit Certificate in a All- India Industrial Exhibition.

Since then chandrika soap has participated in many exhibition. Since then chandrika soap has participated in many exhibitions all over India and won several gold Medal Certificates. Now Chandrika is being manufactured at seven cemtresnmely, Irinjalakuda and Ernakulam in Kerala State, podannur and coimbatore in Tamilnadu, Bangalore and My sore in Karnataka and Thirupathi in A.P. There is a net work of stockists throughout India and in foreign countries. Chandrika soap is being exported to 19 foreign countries, including Germany, United Kingdom and the U.S.A. It has received state Awards for creditable export performance in 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82 and National Merit Certificate in 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83 . Chandrika won the Second Award for 1984-85 and the First Award for 1985-86 in the SSI Sector. The soap is winning one award or the other every year.

A noteworthy aspect of Chandrika is that it is purely a hand-made soap. It does not use electric power or large scale machinery. It is an eloquent vindication of the Gandhian principles of khadi and village industries.

Sri Kesavan Vaidyar is also a good model for enlightened employers. The employees enjoy many benefits in addition to those which are legally due to them. Eminent people like Sri. V. V. Giri, Sri panampilly Govinda Menon, Sri. K. P. S. Menon, Sri. N. N. Vanchoo (while he was the Governor of Gujarath) have visited the factory and recorded their appreciation of the labour welfare schemes.

Chandrika is not a mere industrial concern. It is a social institution. A major portion of the profit from Chandrika soap goes for social work.
( will conitue ...p. sivadas)