Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (EC)
Udupi, Oct 16: Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, known all over the world for its famous Mysore Sandal Soap, organized its first 'Soap Sante' in Udupi on Friday October 16, where the company exhibited 38 varieties of Mysore Sandal brand along with discounted sales at Government Junior College, Udupi.
Founded by Nalwady Krishnaraja Wodeyar with his ministerial aide Sir M Vishweshwaraya, this firm is in on the verge of completing 100 years in the month of May 2016.
Veronica Cornelio, chairperson, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, presided over the inaugural session and along with Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA, Udupi constituency, lighted the lamp. Jayaprakash Hegde, former MP, inaugurated the Soap Sante by cutting the red ribbon.
Pramod Madhwaraj in his address said it was a milestone for a government undertaking to remain a leading sandalwood soap firm in the country for so many years. "A franchise should be set up for the retail business of the soap in Udupi, so that every person would purchase it and make it a popular brand in Udupi and surrounding areas," he said.
Jayaprakash Hegde shared an incident where he had the opportunity to save the factory from being closed or being sold off to a private firm. "I feel proud of being a part of it and feel happy that the company is gaining momentum these days. Various publicity stunts must be practiced for a product to become popular when it enters into the competitive market. I wish this firm becomes a leader in the market in the coming days," he said.
Veronica Cornelio said she felt proud to be the chairperson of KSDL and announced that more retail shops will be established to promote the brand.
P Yuvaraj, Udupi CMC president, Janardhan Thonse, president, Udupi Town Planning Authority, Manjunathaiyya, commissioner of Udupi CMC, Sunitha Nayak, president, Udupi taluk panchayat, Ganesh Kumar, vice-president, Udupi taluk panchayat, Ida D’Souza and Mallika Ashok, members of taluk panchayat, A C Keshavamoorthy, MD, KSDL, Dinesh Puthran, vice-president, College Development Committee were the other dignitaries on the dais.
Lakshminarayana Bhat welcomed and compered the entire programme.