In 1964, when Dr. K S Chandran opened C K Kumaran Memorial Ayurvedic clinic (CKKM) in Tripunithura in a 600 square feet space, the visionary knew his small step would lay the foundation to a legacy that will grow with time. Fifty-five years later, his son Dr Rakhesh Chandran and daughter in law Linda Rakhesh has transformed CKKM into a venture which has multiple verticals bringing forth the best of Ayurveda to the world. Dr K S Chandran was the 4th generation ‘Vaidyan’ ( traditional
doctor) in the family. In the 1960-70s he started bulk manufacturing of ayurvedic medicines and recruited 12 marketing representatives to take it across Kerala, something which was never done by any Ayurveda doctor during those times. He had also created twelve proprietary medicines whose demand also soared up for its effectiveness that it found a big market even in the neighbouring country of Sri Lanka. CKKM pharmacy ran a full-fledged factory creating Ayurvedic medicine.
In 1983, he brought together five doctors of modern medicine to start RCM Eye Hospital.
“Back then, the only prominent eye hospital was the Little Flower in Angamaly. RCM became the second biggest eye hospital in Kerala,” says Dr Rakhesh Chandran the medical director of the RCM Group, “We were the first ones to use lasers for eye treatment in 1986.” Rakhesh was five years old when the hospital was set up. He clearly remembered how his father brought the latest equipment
to his hospital just to help people in society. In 1992, Dr Chandran opened a 200-bed multi speciality hospital as well. RCM was the first hospital to bring in the first CT scan machine to Tripunithura. “Every alternate day, 30-40 surgeries used to happen in the hospital,” reckons Rakhesh.
By 1997, the business began to subside due to high debts that it incurred. It was during this time, Rakesh along with his wife Linda took charge of revamping RCM and CKKM. “It needed sheer will power and competence along with an unrelenting passion to bring back what my father had started. My wife Linda Rakhesh, who hails from a business family, took the mantle of revamping the
legacy. Today RCM and CKKM are getting back on track,” smiles Dr Rakhesh who is the
medical director of the group. Under her leadership, CKKM was revamped and a full-fledged panchakarma unit was set up. RCM hospital was transformed as RCM wellness. In 2010, the
existing factory was struck down and a new plant was set up.
The slew of such measures brought back the Ayurveda wing back in full swing.
Today, CKKM pharmacy produces 350 classical Ayurveda products and 20 proprietary medicines
through its newly constructed factory. It has distributors across India as well as the Middle-East.
Linda rebranded the ayurveda wing with RCM Ayur Bliss SPA, which provided a wide range of spa
treatments. Premium hotels and resorts could set up Ayurveda spa at their premises under a contract with them. RCM supplied the workforce including the doctor as well as the therapy products to the resorts which partnered with them. “Currently we are running three wellness spa in Kerala and
one in Qatar,” begins Linda, “We either form a partnership on franchise format or provide an option of a consultancy with a fixed term service,” she adds. To cater to the demand of workforce in Ayurveda, she also started a six-month long Ayurveda Panchakarma Therapist Course. Many students who graduate from it are professional masseurs placed across the globe in premium ayurvedic spas
across the world.
FUTURE
“We are looking forward to opening RCM Ayurbliss Spas' across the world, showcasing the entire range of products that we make,” Their Spa has received many queries to set up their franchise
in many parts of India as well as Europe and the middle East. We have some projects coming up in association with state governments in the promotion of Ayurveda as well. “The future looks definitely promising,” she smiles.
doctor) in the family. In the 1960-70s he started bulk manufacturing of ayurvedic medicines and recruited 12 marketing representatives to take it across Kerala, something which was never done by any Ayurveda doctor during those times. He had also created twelve proprietary medicines whose demand also soared up for its effectiveness that it found a big market even in the neighbouring country of Sri Lanka. CKKM pharmacy ran a full-fledged factory creating Ayurvedic medicine.In 1983, he brought together five doctors of modern medicine to start RCM Eye Hospital.
“Back then, the only prominent eye hospital was the Little Flower in Angamaly. RCM became the second biggest eye hospital in Kerala,” says Dr Rakhesh Chandran the medical director of the RCM Group, “We were the first ones to use lasers for eye treatment in 1986.” Rakhesh was five years old when the hospital was set up. He clearly remembered how his father brought the latest equipment
to his hospital just to help people in society. In 1992, Dr Chandran opened a 200-bed multi speciality hospital as well. RCM was the first hospital to bring in the first CT scan machine to Tripunithura. “Every alternate day, 30-40 surgeries used to happen in the hospital,” reckons Rakhesh.
By 1997, the business began to subside due to high debts that it incurred. It was during this time, Rakesh along with his wife Linda took charge of revamping RCM and CKKM. “It needed sheer will power and competence along with an unrelenting passion to bring back what my father had started. My wife Linda Rakhesh, who hails from a business family, took the mantle of revamping the
legacy. Today RCM and CKKM are getting back on track,” smiles Dr Rakhesh who is the
medical director of the group. Under her leadership, CKKM was revamped and a full-fledged panchakarma unit was set up. RCM hospital was transformed as RCM wellness. In 2010, the
existing factory was struck down and a new plant was set up.
The slew of such measures brought back the Ayurveda wing back in full swing.
Today, CKKM pharmacy produces 350 classical Ayurveda products and 20 proprietary medicines
through its newly constructed factory. It has distributors across India as well as the Middle-East.
Linda rebranded the ayurveda wing with RCM Ayur Bliss SPA, which provided a wide range of spa
treatments. Premium hotels and resorts could set up Ayurveda spa at their premises under a contract with them. RCM supplied the workforce including the doctor as well as the therapy products to the resorts which partnered with them. “Currently we are running three wellness spa in Kerala and
one in Qatar,” begins Linda, “We either form a partnership on franchise format or provide an option of a consultancy with a fixed term service,” she adds. To cater to the demand of workforce in Ayurveda, she also started a six-month long Ayurveda Panchakarma Therapist Course. Many students who graduate from it are professional masseurs placed across the globe in premium ayurvedic spas
across the world.
FUTURE
“We are looking forward to opening RCM Ayurbliss Spas' across the world, showcasing the entire range of products that we make,” Their Spa has received many queries to set up their franchise
in many parts of India as well as Europe and the middle East. We have some projects coming up in association with state governments in the promotion of Ayurveda as well. “The future looks definitely promising,” she smiles.
(Published in Corporate Champions' Supplement, The New Indian Express, South India & New Delhi along with The Morning Standard, January 28, 2019
link: http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/1999923/The-New-Indian-Express-Kochi/28012019#page/23/2
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