J. Hareendran Nair

J. Hareendran Nair is an Indian Ayurveda practitioner and entrepreneur from Kerala. He is the founder of Pankajakasthuri Herbals, This is a business group that contributed to the promotion and popularising of Ayurveda and ayurvedic products across the country. In 2012, the Government of India, honored him with Padma Shri for his services to the cause of Ayurveda.

Biography Hareendran Nair was born in Kattakkada, Thiruvananthapuram, in Kerala to Janardhanan Nair, who was a document writer and Pankajam. He was the youngest of their three children. After an early education at the Government Upper Primary School, Kandala and the Christian College, Kattakada, he joined the Government Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram. He graduated in ayurvedic medicine with a BAMS in 1983.

His medical career started as a research fellow at Poojappura Regional Research Institute. He submitted his resignation from the service when he was transferred to the central Kerala town of Shornur in 1986. Nair spent the next two years in the formation of Sree Dhanwanthari Ayurvedics, the forerunner of Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Ltd [PHIL], which came into stream in 1988 at Poovachal. The couple has two daughters, both studying ayurvedic medicine. The family lives in Thiruvananthapuram.

Social service Hareendran Nair is also active in social service. He has arranged for 1000 free lunches everyday through his Ayurveda medical college. He also sponsors the educational expenses of 125 students, and provides free in-patient medical treatment to 50 patients, including medicines. His group also conducts free medical camps every month in Thiruvananthapuram.

Positions Nair holds various positions at regional and national levels. Managing Director, Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Pvt. Ltd a cluster company in the Ayurveda sector meant to promote Kerala brand ayurvedic products Patron of Chinmaya Mission, Thiruvananthapuram Administrative Director, Neyyar Medicity, Neyyar Healthcare Pvt Ltd

Awards and recognitions Padma Shri – 2012 Management Leadership Award – Trivandrum Management Association Sai Maa Award(international) for Ayurvedic Propagation Best Entrepreneur Award, Industries Department – Government of Kerala Yuvaprathibha Award – Ayurvedic Medical Officers Association Ayurvedaratna Award Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Berchmans Institute of Management Studies