Transcript Slide 1

01
P.S. Pathanjali
Vice President,
New Business Development
Writes
It started off as a small initiative but
ended up as an Organizational effort.
CA Anzar, Patanjali, Alfred, Reji,
Benoy,
Palanivel
(from
Salem)
decided to start the New Year
differently. It has to be recalled that
Tsunami had snatched away all the
celebrations associated with the
offset of a new year. Keeping this in
mind our people decided to give a
new beginning to this year by
visiting the Tsunami affected area.
Find below a Firsthand Report of our
Sami-ites who visited Nagapattinam,
Nagore and Vellakanni. They were
accompanied by our four drivers also
– Joseph, Palanivel, Velu and Satish.
Each one of us has experienced the
pain of seeing some one dear in
distress. It's a natural response.
Normal. To be moved by the pain of
someone unknown unrelated is truly
human.
Distinct.
This
is
what
differentiates the regular me-myfamily-my-friends
with
the
truly
human.
It is easy to share the cause of
someone close. The identification is
near complete. To shed a tear, to lend
a hand, to mourn for someone who is
faceless,
nameless,
unencumbered
needs passion and a true heart.
images flashed on the television would
have brought the toughest to stop a
moment to think how ephemeral life is.
Vanishing in just a few minutes. That
was it. Life was back to meetings and
schedules. Business as usual.
The call was at night well past the
dream times. Shaking with emotion. “I
really want to do something for those
children Pat… those that have lost their
parents... Let's go and bring them...
give them a home... I have organized
it... let's go.” He went on and on
incoherent
and
charged.
“Yeah...
sure... we will” and I went back to my
cosy sleep picking those sweet dreams
from where I left them. What shook me
back to reality was when I woke up the
The tsunami struck. Destruction was
widespread. I called anybody whom I
thought was anywhere near the coast.
No familiar names. None I loved, cared
for were affected. Said a silent prayer
to the lord. Thanked him. True, I shook
my head in despair, stared into the
open pondered over what must have
been the last moments of someone
dragged violently by the seas. Crashed
dreams, homes, and livelihoods. The
02
next morning, the conversation I had
seemed a distant memory. Must have
been a dream...
became a Canter worth. Sudhir said “I
think we will take the Anju vehicle
also.” Anzar was truly possessed.
He called again. In office. “I have
arranged for Rs. 10,000 please arrange
to buy food... anything you think is
necessary... let's go and deliver it”.
Anzar set the ball rolling. It was not a
dream. I called Regi. Seemed as though
he just needed to be switched on. The
usually
quiet
“administrator”
was
charged into action. Shrini (the Dr.)
shared his wisdom. The 10,000 was soon
breads, jams, milk powder... Sabil
suggested Metro. Negotiations on. Regi
came back with the numbers. We can
buy 800 loaves of bread. Another call the
money increased. We could have actually
jumped. It was Rs. 25,000. Renegotiated. The bread increased. Binoy
came in eager. “May I join in”? More the
better. Now the sequence was gaining
momentum. The word went around. As if
waiting for the cue, ideas poured forth.
More suggestions. “Let's take water”
“What about jam” someone mentioned
“medicines”. A kind friend in the Pharma
distribution was only too glad. Said the
lot will be delivered the next morning.
The trip was finalized. He called again.
“Let's go tomorrow morning” “Doctor has
given me 10,000 more Pat... let's buy
some more...”.A Qualis full of supplies
A word of caution. Vaccinated the gang
for typhoid and cholera. Anzar, Alfred,
Binoy, Regi, Palani, Joseph, Satish,
Velu, my driver Vinayak and I.
Loaded. Early morning on the first day
of the year. Eagerness in the air. A hot
tea from the Security and we were on
our way. Poignant moments. Some
peaceful driving brought the convoy of
three vehicles to Salem. Palanivel, our
man in shining armor. The network of
contacts activated. An “Agri” as the
Agricultural officers are called locally, in
Mannargudi was to contact his friend in
Nagapattinam, “He knows someone in
the Collectorate Saar... will help us to
get things moving”. Bless his soul.
Trichy, Tanjavur the stories became
more morbid. Decided to stay over at
Mannargudi for the night. The friend
arrives. “We will leave at 8 AM. The
collector arrives by 9. They will guide
us to deliver the supplies so that it will
reach the right people”.
The next day a short drive takes us to
Nagapattinam. Ground Zero. The sights
of destruction evident from miles away.
Clothes strewn on the roads. Grim
looks on the faces. Very official looking
people busy ferrying in their cars. Lots
of Lorries. Banners, languages, sizes,
shapes and colors. All said the same.
Help. Tsunami Lorry. Rushing to reach
whatever they thought those poor
souls needed. Reached the Collector's
office. We were in a queue. For once I
was glad to wait in a long queue. A
certain brotherhood existed among
those that came. Groups of women
were lamenting their loss. More
running behind these Tsunami Lorries
to collect rice, bread or whatever was
there to offer. A foreigner in the
premises was immediately mobbed.
The open space behind the Collectors
office was a sight to watch. Clothes of
every kind, color and material were
thrown. Free for all. The supplies were
03
classified, perishable and the ones that
could be stored. A grateful note from the
Collector acknowledged the receipt of the
supplies that were received. “Could you
take the perishable to the camps directly
please”? We were more than happy.
Drove into town. Drove to a camp. Small
children oblivious to the tragedy that has
struck playing, rejoicing the sudden
holiday. Men and women with fear and
despair writ on their faces accepting the
hot meal handed to them by a group of
volunteers. Silent groups.
Went along with Ravi a businessman who
has converted his house as the central
point for the volunteers to stay and cook
these people. Ravi escorted us to the
central warehouse where we unloaded
the bread and bananas. Unloaded the
water tank. A precious commodity.
Thanks Kunigal. A quick tour of the city 3000 bodies were placed here…. The
complete area is washed away… Huge
trawlers had floated right past a few
buildings and were placed oh so
delicately on the main road. One look at
the probable way and one is shocked at
the height the wave must have carried
this over the buildings. Broken houses,
mangled steel a horrible sight. Went to
the Nagur Dargah. People, children
everywhere. The shrine next to the shore
is all but a few walls. A car is washed
away. “Four people died inside” “I could
not save my mother… I saw her being
sucked away” This man walks like he is
in a trance.
Hunger strikes. Fearing contaminated
water in the affected places we
devoured a couple of biscuits and a few
bananas from the lot we carried. Dry
bread and biscuits were delicious.
We drove to Velankanni. One more
decomposed body was being carted.
The beach is washed clean. All the
shops that were on the beach were
washed away. A lone dog was rushing
into every receding wave. Looking for
somebody perhaps. People on the beach
covertly looking away from the beach. A
fleeting glance again and again beyond
the water line expecting the sea to bring
out
the
monster
again.
It
is
unimaginable how this gentle sea with
that innocuous froth of waves could
have transgressed its borders and left
so many destroyed and dead in its
wake.
Whom do we mourn? The dead or the
living dead like the man who is still
unforgiving himself for having not saved
his mother. Women who went to shop
while their children were washed away.
Men who went out to sea to come back
unable to recognize a clean patch of
land where once his village stood. Or
was it anger. Angry that we were
attacked in stealth. Angry that the
coward took away our children, our old.
Angry that some unspeakable wretches
who ran along with the withdrawing
waters to pillage into the homes of the
dead to loot from the ravaged homes
and the bodies of the dead. Drained.
Emotionally and physically. Set our
course back home. A strange sense of
fulfillment. Mixed emotions. Heartening
to see that there are so many who felt
the way we did and came there. In
sheer numbers it was a drop. But we
were there. We shared. We mourned
the death of a few unknown. Somebody
has recorded this.
A strange thought occurred. Kabir has
said, that we pray when we are in
trouble, but not when we are happy...
Should you pray when you are happy...
Why would one be in trouble at all?
We gathered, collected and shared.
Humane. Do we need a Tsunami to
wake the human in us? When is the
next time we will help someone. When
disaster strikes
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Alfred and Regi
Administration
Drop a Line
We started from the Corporate office at 6
in the morning with two trucks loaded
with bread, rice, bananas, glucose,
medicine, milk powder, curry powder,
sugar, grains, water, clothes etc.
Our first stop was at Salem from where
Mr. Palanivel joined us. From here we
traveled to Mannarkudy near Tanjavore
where we spent the night.
Next day early morning we started from
Mannarkudy
and
headed
towards
Nagapattinam.
As
you
all
know,
Nagapattinam was the worst hit by
Tsunami or the Killer Wave. On the way,
the officials at the various police check
posts directed us to the District
Collectorate. Accordingly we went to the
Collectorate
from
where
we
got
permission to distribute the goods we
had carried along with us except for the
rice and medicines, which we were asked
to submit at the Collectorate.
The Tsunami victims were crowded
around the Collectorate. Each one had a
painful story to narrate. They looked
helpless and appalled. They all crowded
around every vehicle for a drop of
water and a loaf of bread. We were
strictly notified by the Collectorate
officials not to distribute any of the
goods in the Collectorate premise. Any
how we got a Guide to help us to help
the helpless.
We were told that nearly 850 shops
were destroyed in Velakanni. Can you
imagine that people did not even have
a glass to drink water or plates to hold
their food?
We started from the Collectorate to the
camp
where
we
came
across
serpentine queues. People were waiting
to get a morsel of food. There were
many who did not have the energy to
stand, so lying they became a part of
this waiting line.
A special mention need to be made
about Mr Pathanjali who drove the
vehicle all the way and led the team.
Not to forget Mr. Anzar, who was
actively with us through out the trip
inspite of the fact that he was not
keeping well.
We delivered them food and water.
Later we visited few of the camps
where
we
distributed
clothes,
medicines, food articles etc. We also
visited Nagore and Velankanni. It was
unbelievable for a person who has
already been to this place. Tsunami
had swallowed what used to exist there
and had given the place a disheveled
look. With everything taken away by
the Sea, the very Sea which was food,
water and shelter to them, what we
encountered there was a horrendous
picture of human beings snatched off
their rights.
Last but not the least; we would like to
thank
all
the
employees
who
contributed for the Tsunami Relief.
We spent the whole day there and
drove back to Salem by night.
05
Dr Muhammed Majeed recently participated
in the third Bharatiya Pravasi Divas in
Mumbai. Find below a profile of Dr Majeed
which appeared in The New Indian Express.
Sami Labs to expand operations
in EU, Lattam
How difficult was it to make it big in America?
Lalitha Suhasini The New Indian Express
Muhammad Majeed, a 23-year-old B. Pharm student from Kerala left
for US with $8 in 1975, and established Sabinsa Corporation in 1988.
‘‘My friends told me coming back to India would be my biggest
mistake, but I believed Bangalore had great industrial climate,’’
Majeed said at the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin
meet in conjunction with the third Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Mumbai.
Joe Scaria Economic Times
Standardised herbal extracts, fine
chemicals and nutraceuticals maker
Sami Labs has decided to expand
operations in Latin America and Europe
in the immediate future keeping in tune
with its strategy to consolidate its
position in these markets
‘‘Today, I would ask NRIs to wait before starting operations in
Bangalore because it’s not conducive to growth — there are terrible
traffic jams and the prices are escalating,’’ said Majeed, who founded
Bangalore-based Sami Labs in 1991, with manufacturing units in
Kunigal and Nelamangala, an R&D unit in Singasandara and a
corporate office in Peenya.
But how difficult was it to make it big in America which is fixated on
Indian herbal treatments? ‘‘The word Ayurveda was a tongue twister
in 1991,’’ claims the 54-year-old, whose company won its first Indian
National Award in Basic Drugs in 1995.
06
Sami Labs Limited participated in the Indo-American CME, organized by
the Association of Kerala Medical Graduates, USA (AKMG) at
Thiruvananthapuram. Dr Muhammed Majeed, who presented a paper on
“Emerging Nutraceutical Era in India – A glimpse at the Ingredients,
Formulation, Therapeutic Claims and Regulatory Status,” was in the media
glare following his talk on the subject.
We carry below the paper clippings
Sami Labs to unveil new brand of cosmetics
Sankar Radhakrishnan Business Line
The Bangalore-based Sami Labs Ltd is preparing to launch
its own brand of cosmeceuticals in the country by March
next year.
Dr Muhammed Majeed, Managing Director, Sami Labs Ltd
told Business Line that the new products will be introduced
under the Johara brand and will include a range of skin
care products. The company is looking at adopting a multilevel marketing strategy to retail the Johara brand of
cosmetics, he added.
Recast sends Sami Labs up IT path
Sarita Varma The Financial Express
Sami Labs has decided to take an IT detour.
Predictably, it is the growing global healthcare
solutions pie that has the Bangalore-based biotech
behemoth going the software business way.
A stand-alone IT company, is part of the Sami Labs’
Rs 60 crore expansion and diversification plans for
2005, according to its Chairman and Managing
Director Muhammed Majeed.
07
Sandesh Desk had asked “Voice Your View” from all Sami-ites on their New Year Resolution. Whether they
believe in New Year Resolution? If No, Why? If yes, what is their New Year Resolution?
“I would like to make my career and growth opportunities wonderful this year. I am in the process of making a
significant value addition in my personality through good learning skills, dedicated hard work and by way of excellent
inter-personal relationships,” said RAMESH CN, Deputy Manager – Accounts.
The ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT has made a combined New Year resolution for themselves and also for the
Sami-ites. To quote them:
“Friends lets bring real value addition in our personality and in building strong relationship with a new set of resolutions.
We feel very happy to wish each and every employee of “Sami Group” with a new approach. It is a great joy for us
and we take this opportunity in proposing a relationship building year with which we can understand each other better,
strive hard jointly and make “SAMI” witness yet another excellent successful year.
On this special occasion, let us share and care for entire “SAMI FAMILY”
01.
Eat Healthy and Think Better Your Health is very important.
02.
Be creative and constructive in each of the things you execute.
03.
Keep smiling and reciprocate heartily for feelings and wishes.
04.
Be proud to give your complete contribution for “SAMI”.
05.
Bring a good name and fame for ”SAMI” by your special talents.
06.
Time is very important. So plan everything within time.
07.
Remember always that plans are nothing but planning is everything.
08.
Be simple and adjustable with other colleagues.
09.
Keep sharing knowledge with others.
10.
Be happy for the fact that by rendering your valuable services, you are making a
value addittion to your own career.
08
09
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For the attention of the readers, this column is
intended not to harm anybody's feeling. So it is
requested not to take the writer's comments in
the offensive.
Let's begin with a blast. Exactly this was what had happened
when it was Ahmed's birthday. Where Ahmed had intended to
celebrate his birthday rather very conventionally…. ie cut the cake
and share the piece with his colleagues in the department,
it just turned the reverse. The yummy - yummy birthday
cake was coated all over our Birthday Boy by Neeraja Shetty.
Quiet unexpected but it was fun for the viewers.
Yet another birthday passed unnoticed,
though the day turned to be a day of
double significance to Vinod Kumar, CEO
Sabinsa Business Solutions. The second
of January was not only the birthday of
Vinod Kumar but it was a milestone
event in his career. Yes, he took over as
the CEO of the IT division of Sami Labs
Limited on his birthday.
On the other hand Jacob George VP Corporate Communication
celebrated his birthday along with his wife and children in
Kerala. Any guess where? According to reliable sources he cut
the cake in a popular Toddy shop somewhere in Pathnapuram in
Kerala. Now it's known that toddy shops don't supply cakes. So
Jacob what was it you had in Pathnapuram Toddy Shop.
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It wasn’t just birthdays in January, but a month when few of the
Sami-ites entered the spousal relationship. We had Jagdeesh, Rekha
from the Systems, Geeta and Alpana – Anurag from the R&D
division getting married. Congrats to all.
Anurag – Alpana are the next to join the Sami marriage. What’s
Sami marriage? Well it’s a Sami employee marrying another Sami
employee. Simple. The duo are just back to work after a short visit
to Ooty, the famous honey moon spot in the South.
If this jodi went to Ooty, Rekha traveled even further. Their
destination was Goa. Geeta was visiting all her relatives along with
her hubby. As for Jagdeesh it was Munnar. Anyway all the Sami-ites
join you in wishing you happiness throughout.
Very soon our corporate website
www.samilabs.com will get a new
look. So wait and watch. Simultaneously
log in at www.sabinsa.com.au to
visit Sabinsa Australia website. This is a
new corporate website created recently.
Providence took the shape of Anil Rajesh (Executive Assistant
to Chairman) for Jacob George. According to Jacob George
he feels more at home in Bangalore than in Kerala.
Any guess why? Anil Rajesh, happens to be a great cook,
not just a great cook but he is extremely interested in that
ART called COOKING. From Schezwan Chicken to simple but
delicious curd rice adorn their dining tables every night.
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More than medical treatment, it’s our mental strength which brings
cure. This was established beyond doubt by Geeta of Biochemistry
Department. Hours after an accident, where she fractured her leg she
was seen in the office with a heavy plaster on her leg. Inspite of the
various counsels that came her way, Geeta adhered to her resolution
of coming to office with the plastered leg. Result she has now limped
into normalcy.
For Ram Navaratna HR General Manager
his passion is public speaking. This time
he spoke on Time Management at the
Corporate Office. Where we speak of
Health as Wealth, according to Ram,
Time is Money which has to be invested
judiciously.
Tapan Ray, CEO & Director of Sami Labs Limited inaugurated
the new annex at our Corporate Office on 28 January, 2005.
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We Welcome
Anagha Godbole
Executive Assistant to CMD
Corporate
Anju Prasad
Marketing Co-Ordinator
Corporate
Arun Kumar S
Electrician
Corporate
Murugan S Pillai
Business Development Associate
Corporate
Pavithra Rao
Secretary
Corporate
Syed Salim
General Manager - Production
Corporate
Veena S
Secretary
Corporate
Vishwanatham G
Manager - Accounts & Finance
Corporate
Ramitha K
Trainee R&D
Corporate R&D
Kareem K S A
Business Development Associate
Formulations - Kerala
Velukuttan S
Marketing Officer
Formulations - Kerala
Ravi K R
Manager - Production
Kunigal
Tarun Reddy
Executive- H R
Kunigal
Lakshman Reddy P B
Trainee - Production
Nelamangala
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