Raman Azhahia Manavalan (RAM/AMR)

Name: Raman Azhahia Manavalan 

Location: Tirupur, India 

Profession: Business Development Service Provider - Sustainability Solutions

Raman Azhahia Manavalan is a dedicated and passionate sustainability professional based in Tirupur, India. With a strong commitment to creating the greener and more sustainable factories of the future, Raman has been actively involved in various initiatives and projects aimed at promoting sustainability practices in the region.

Ram holds a Master's degree in Textile Engineering and Management from NIT Jalandhar, Punjab, where he gained a comprehensive understanding of the engineering and management aspects of textile and business sustainability. His academic background has equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex challenges. He holds two published papers on technical textiles (filtration and surgical sutures). 

With a decade of experience in the field, Raman has established himself as a key figure in sustainability efforts in Tirupur. He has worked with both government and non-governmental organizations, collaborating with various stakeholders to drive positive change.

Key Achievements and Contributions:

1. Sustainable Textile Industry: Raman has played a pivotal role in promoting sustainable practices within the textile industry in Tirupur, a major hub for textile production in India. He has worked closely with textile manufacturers, advocating for eco-friendly production processes, waste reduction, and water conservation measures. His efforts have resulted in the adoption of sustainable practices by numerous companies, contributing to a more environmentally conscious textile industry. Assisted 235+ industries to identify energy and resource saving opportunities, which have been estimated at INR 54.59 crores and counting.
2. Community Engagement: Recognizing the importance of community involvement, Raman has actively engaged with local communities in Tirupur to raise awareness about sustainability and encourage sustainable lifestyles. Through workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns, he has empowered individuals to make environmentally responsible choices, fostering a culture of sustainability within the community. Facilitated & Trained about 300+ industry resources on best practices. 
3. Waste Management and Recycling: Raman has been instrumental in creating awareness about effective waste management and recycling opportunities in the factory through the GreenCo rating. Through his innovative thinking and commitment to sustainability, Raman brought to life the vision of creating a T-shirt that not only met customer demands but also aligned with environmental values. The launch of Ecohike marked a significant milestone in Tirupur's journey towards recycled products, and it showcased the possibilities of recycling PET bottles and transforming them into fashionable and sustainable apparel.  
4. Various Initiatives: Facilitated the MOU between Tirupur Thozhil Pathukappu Kulu and SIDBI to facilitate loans at a better rate of interest to MSMEs in Tirupur. Facilitated product diversification activities through strategic engagement with raw material suppliers such as Reliance, Birla Viscose, Lenzing, and Dupont. 
5. Social Initiatives: First time brought ILO to carry out SCORE engagement with Tirupur-based apparel factories and assisted exporters to get insights about SAR region garment factories for best practices. Instrumental in bringing various new initiatives for the betterment of the Tirupur apparel cluster to stay competitive. 
6. Branding Tirupur: Conceived and presented the idea of branding Tirupur as a sustainable cluster to the brands,  working in alignment with the SDGs. 
7. Future Goals: Raman remains committed to his mission of promoting sustainability in Tirupur and beyond. Working on a Mission 100 Sustainable Factories by 2030. He aims to further strengthen collaboration between stakeholders, expand sustainable practices to other industries, and drive the adoption of best practices. Additionally, Raman intends to contribute to research and innovation in the field of sustainability by finding innovative solutions to environmental challenges through collaborative measures.