N Gunasekara was an unsung hero for the last 27 years. Recognition came to him in the form of the Chinnikrishnan Innovation Award for his glass stone engineering.
A school dropout at the age of 13, Gunasekara had an innovative bent of mind. Speaking after receiving the award from Ramco Group Vice-Chairman and Managing Director P R Venkataraman Raja, an emotional Gunasekara counted it as the happiest moment of his life since he started earning 27 years ago.
“I have 19 innovations to my name,” said the owner of Sparco Stones, adding: “I never expected my innovation - providing glass tiles to discerning customers - to get recognition.” His is the only company that is into glass stone engineering. “With this award, now I hope my other innovations would see the light of the day,” said Gunasekara, who was among the three awardees selected from 164 applications received from TN and Pondicherry.
Dr S Sivaramakrishna Pillai of Proklean Technologies and Srimathy K of Space Kidz India were the other awardees.
Pillai was honoured for offering natural, non-toxic and bio-degradable products, which deliver results equivalent to or better than the current chemical products. Based on probiotic technology, the products consume less amount of water, work at lower temperatures and reduce pollution. Srimathy was awarded for her company Space Kidz India’s innovative concepts in creating international platforms for promoting science and education along with art and culture among students in their formative years, irrespective of their socio-economic background.
Nine of the 164 applicants had been short-listed for the Chinnikrishnan Innovation awards, initiated in the memory of R Chinnikrishnan, father of CMD of CavinKare C K Ranganathan. The nine applicants were screened by eminent jury members.
The New Indian Express was one of the media partners of the event.