Another resurrection saga on Easter, but from Kollam

Kollam: Incurring loss, Hari was about to leave, locking down his surgical apparel manufacturing and supply unit at Kareepra when teary eyed Mini, one of his staffers, asked him, “Sir, where will I go now? I have to take care of my ailing husband and son who is studying. We’re already in debt after marrying off our daughter. Shall I work as a maid at your house?”

Hari did not think twice before dropping his plan to shut down his surgical apparel manufacturing and supply unit, started at Kareepra in 2008, which was running in loss. 

K S Hari of Geethanjali House at Kareepra had to sell his two cars and shut down the unit’s office in Ernakulam, relieving all employees following a huge financial loss.

It was in June, 2019 when he came to the unit close to his ancestral home to shut it down. However, on hearing Mini’s words, he said, handing over the keys, “Chechi, you come tomorrow as usual and open the unit. Let’s see what happens.”

He just had a scooter and Rs 1500 in his possession. He managed to gather some money by selling some trees from his land. When he came back to the unit, he saw the apparels that needed mending were all fixed by Mini. Soon, Hari resumed visiting hospitals again to sell his products. The restless hard work for months paid off. KFC granted loan, paving the way for recruitment of more employees. The rise in demand for surgical apparels during Covid season also helped him get ahead in his business.

With the support of an NGO, KSG, the venture was turned into a startup. Later, the company got 1000 square feet of land for office and research lab at the Advanced Virology Institute in the Thiruvananthapuram Life Science Park, followed by several investors and suppliers.

The unit, once intended to be locked down, is now valued at Rs 17 crores with a brand name Cleomed. The start-up now produces around 50 types of surgical apparels. The renovated unit of the company was inaugurated recently by Finance Minister K N Balagopal. 

In his entire journey, Hari has been getting support from wife Aswathi who oversees all the functioning of the company. 

Now, not just Mini, her son also serves the company as an employee.