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The award, presented jointly by the C P Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation and www.sitagita.com, was given away by P Uma Ramamohan Rao, wife of Tamil Nadu Governor P S Ramamohan Rao.
Hemu Ramaiah hardly needs any introduction. Her love for books led her to seek a career dealing with books. Having begun by joining the Danai bookstore chain, she was later associated with the bookshop at the Taj Sindoori and the Adyar Park Sheraton. By then she decided it was time to set up her own shop. “My idea was to have a family store where the entire family could find something of interest.” And thus was born the first Landmark bookstore in Nungambakkam in Chennai in 1987. Her next ventures were outside Chennai, in Coimbatore and then east to Calcutta. Now synonymous with Chennai and a major place of tourist interest, Landmark’s flagship store in Spencer Plaza opened in October 2001. The 40,000 sq ft area is packed with books, music, stationery, office equipment, home furnishing, toys, greeting cards and even a café.
What did this busy entrepreneur have to say at the question and answer session at the function? Here goes: Q: As a woman, did you have to face any kind of hardship in your field? Hemu: Nothing of the sort. In the city culture, it is easy for a woman to do what she wants once she sets her mind to it.
Hemu: That is not the case. There is a section for Tamil books in both the Landmark bookstores in Chennai. But it is a fact that Tamil book do not move as fast as English ones. Q: What was the idea behind introducing gift articles, audio cassettes and other items in the shop. Was it because there was a slackening in the interest in books and as a result their sale? Hemu: Not in the least. As has been the case, books sales continue to be at the top. Book lovers will always continue to buy books. Among other articles, audio cassettes are the leading item, followed by the others. Q: Hemu: When I started out, there was no such bookstore in the city. They were mostly places dealing with textbooks and the like. Q: Is there any idea to have a separate section for women? Hemu: Yes, there is such an idea. Nanditha Krishna, Hon. Director, C P Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation delivered the welcome address and Nirmal Mirza, CEO, Sitagita.com, gave an introductory speech. K Gandhimathi
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Copyright
2009, Chennai Interactive
Business Services (P) Ltd. |
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The date: March 8, 2003. Venue: C P Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation. Occasion: Presentation of the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year - 2003 Award to Hemu Ramaiah of Landmark Bookstore.
Hemu’s was the first bookstore in the country to go completely online, with high-tech security to check pilferage. Another feather in her cap is that Landmark is the first in India to introduce ‘listening stations’ in the audio section. Landmark was recently awarded the British (BS), European (EN) and International Standards Certification - BS EN ISO 9002 - in recognition of customer service and quality control.
Q: Is it true that there is less importance being given to Tamil books in your bookstore?
How did the idea of the bookstore originate?
