Yes, you read that right! There are organic and more effective sanitisers available in the market. All thanks to Dr Karthik’s initiative and his innovation in the form of Sugaradhana. Dr Karthik is a visionary leader, innovator, seasoned entrepreneur and founder & CEO of Sugaradhana.
“Small minds will talk about others and great minds share ideas“ believes Dr Karthik Narayanan, founder and CEO of Sugaradhana, India’s first fully organic disinfectant. He is a firm believer in how a common man’s idea has the power to change the world, Karthik credits the birth of Sugaradhana to the same – one man’s initiative to combat COVID-19.
We spoke to his team to find out more about his unique product Sugaradhana. Let’s have a read!
Below are the excerpts from our exclusive conversation with his team:
Please share with us more about Sugaradhana and What led to this innovation?
So in March of 2020, as India went into lockdown, while everyone was scrambling to adjust to the new normal, Karthik’s attention was drawn to something else.
On day three of the lockdown, he found out that migrant labourers were being sprayed with chemical disinfectants almost fully composed of Sodium Hypochlorite, a component that’s highly dangerous when sprayed on human skin. While the news disturbed him, it also forced Karthik to think of an alternative, an organic solution to COVID-19 that would benefit the common man, and those on the frontlines.
This is where the vision of creating Sugaradhana begins. Backed by his team of five people from across the globe, Karthik then embarked on a journey that changed the face of disinfectants in India, for good.
How is the product different from other sanitisers in the market? What are the ingredients of this unique formulation and were there any experiments?
If you’re wondering what sets the product apart from other disinfectants, Karthik has his answer ready: “Made in India for every common man, our product is not only fully organic but is a multi-purpose solution that’s 99.9% effective, all while giving back to nature” Team Sugaradhana recently received their AYUSH Approval from the Ministry of AYUSH (purposed with developing education, research and propagation of indigenous alternative medicine systems in India) and couldn’t be more elated!
The first step towards creating Sugaradhana was the most important – finding the right alternative to Sodium Hypochlorite and the other chemical components found in alcohol-based sanitizers. Led by his team of experts, Karthik arrived at the answer: using kitchen based enzymes mixed with citrus fruit-based extracts and glycerin oils. Over time more substances were added, and the prototype was ready to be tested. Under the guidance of Dr Ashok from Radiant Labs in Bengaluru, the product was tested on the basis of dermatology (whether it’s safe for use on humans) and stability (the shelf life of the product) and an efficacy report was drawn.”
Results were positive and it was time for the final step – testing whether the product could help combat COVID-19. In vivo and in vitro tests done against SARS VIRUS HSV-I and HSV-IIc and soon, the team had the results they needed. “The in vivo and in vitro tests proved that Sugaradhana was a 99.9 % effective antimicrobial solution, and we finally had an excellent product in our hands” says Karthik, proudly.
The next phase of Sugardhana was easier, creating more samples of the product in bulk and attempting to replace alcohol-based sanitizers in the market. The ‘Tunnel of Hope’ was one of the first initiatives to introduce Sugaradhana to the masses.
We installed tunnels in various parts of India, especially red zones, through which people could walk and be sprayed with Sugaradhana from head to toe. The tunnels were a hit, and many more were quickly installed! Then came Operation ‘Flight of Faith’, a partnership with Team Daksha, mentored by ‘Thala’ Ajith Kumar sir and Dr. Senthil Kumar (Director, Anna University, Chennai), that took Sugaradhana to the next level. The team used advanced drones built by Team Daksha to spray Sugaradhana in parts of Tamil Nadu to reduce the risk of COVID-19, especially in red zones of the city.
After a successful pilot in Chennai, Sugaradhana was then ready to be used in other parts of India, and across the globe. After ten days of active spraying in contiguous areas, team Sugaradhana received their first proof of concept. “There wasn’t a single positive case in any of these areas, which was the biggest victory for us”, says Karthik. This was then certified by the BBMP, government body in Bengaluru, by none other than the Joint Commissioner himself.
What are the next steps now since the product is highly effective? Is it available online?
For Karthik and his team, this was the green signal they needed to go bigger and better with Sugaradhana.
Yes, the product is now available for commercial operations and sales at Amazon.in and on our website.
You can also find more information on the product on Sugaradhana’s social media accounts and by contacting our team at the number: 9111192220
While celebrations are in order, Karthik believes there’s still work left to do. His vision for the future is simple – inspire Indians to make the shift from chemical to organic, with a product that’s set to make a mark in the world, faster and better every day.”
Dr Veerendra Heggade – Sugardhana – Dr Karthik Narayanan
Padma Vibhushan Dr Veerendra Heggade, President of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala temple has praised Sugaradhana as an alcohol-free cleaning solution that is worthy of international acceptance. Watch the video to hear more from him.
What are you looking forward to, now? How does the future of Sugaradhana looks like?
Sugaradhana, A Common man’s initiative for the nation was been supported by D Thangaraj Pandian ( Angel Investor ) for Sugaradhana and was uplifted by Mr Vivek Ramanathan – UAE. Their support has been for Sugaradhana from the inception and the Pilot project was been mentored and supported by Team Daksha and especially Dr Senthil Kumar – Director Anna University – Chennai.
Coming few months, Sugaradhana is planning to export the same to the Middle East and is already in talks with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its consulates.
Already Sugaradhana is expanding its distribution channels across India and is coming up with warehouses in all major districts in Tamil Nadu and is looking at a turn over of close to 6 to 7 crores a month from January 2021 onwards.
There are going to be new products added along with the existing ones and the journey is exciting – as said by Dr Karthik Narayanan
Who all are involved in the project? Is there any other initiative within this successful project?
Yes, there is a special Initiative for Women Empowerment.
Sugaradhana, has also started a Special project for Women Empowerment and has added more than hundreds of women to their core sales team where they can work from their home and boost sales from their respective places. This is a CSR Initiative from Project “ Bharavse ”.
We would like to extend our special Thanks and regards to Bangalore City Police and Bangalore Rural Police Department for permitting the project to be implemented during Pandemic and Lockdown
–Thanks to Sri Ravi D Channannavar – IPS – SP Bangalore Rural
Recently, Dr Karthik Narayanan was also featured in a Special Show in National Geographic as well for his Organic Concept for India and was well appreciated and widely accepted.
We would like to extend our special Thanks and regards to Bangalore City Police and Bangalore Rural Police Department for permitting the project to be implemented during Pandemic and Lockdown