Dr Sanathanan Kunjukrishnan
Chairman and Managing Director
Al Watheq Engineering & Contracting Company LLC
Salalah,Sultanate of Oman
Among the expatriates hailing from Kerala in Salalah, Dr Sanathanan Kunjukrishnan deserves special mention for his stellar entrepreneurial journey that spans 47 years. From a humble beginning with a single SME in 1979, he is at the helm of three flourishing enterprises today, making a mark in not only in business but also in socio-cultural activities. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of Al Watheq Engineering & Contracting Company LLC, Salalah, Team Engineering International LLC, Salalah, and Transparent Shipping Agency and Cargo Services, Thiruvananthapuram. Very active in social service, this veteran entrepreneur has earned numerous accolades for his commitment to the betterment of society. He attributes his success to strong leadership, self-motivation, and unwavering moral principles, which have made his journey truly worthwhile and fruitful.
A Journey That Began in Arumanoor
Sanathanan was born in the village of Arumanoor in Thiruvananthapuram District as the son of Kunjukrishnan, who was in public service, and Sumathi, a homemaker. He obtained his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Sree Narayana Polytechnic College in Kottiyam, Kollam District, and specialised in Managerial Training and Draughtsmanship in 1970. He worked in an engineering firm in the state capital for two years before embarking for Muscat. He managed to set up a business there and later relocated to Salalah, where he decided to engage in his entrepreneurial pursuits. His areas of expertise include Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Contracting, Trading, and AC Condenser Manufacturing. In 2018, he earned a PhD in Business Administration from Atlantic International University, United States.
Awards and Accolades
His career has been long and fruitful, earning him several awards and recognitions over the decades. Sanathanan is the Honorary Consular Agent of the Indian Embassy of Dhofar region since 2021. He held the same position earlier, too, from 1992 to 2009. He is also the founding member of the Indian Social Club Salalah and was its chairman from 1992 to 2000 and 2002 to 2004. This ace businessman is also the Chief Patron and life member of the Salalah Malayalam Wing and the Chief Patron of Her Salalah Association. A staunch believer, he is also the Chief Patron of the Salalah Ayyappa Samajam.
Sanathanan is the Chief Patron of the Thanal Charitable Trust in Salalah and the Patron of the GDPS Oman Chapter. A member of the Rotary Club of TVM South, he is also an Advisory Board Member of the Institution for Creation of a Self-Reliant Generation, Kerala (icsag.org) and the Science India Forum in Muscat.
Sanathanan was bestowed with the Salalah KMCC Central Committee Award 2024 for outstanding public service. The same year, the NSS Union Salalah Award for outstanding public service, achievements and contributions was given to him. He was also feted with the Ilayanila Salalah Award 2024 for exceptional contributions towards the Indian community. He won the IQRAA Care Salalah Award in 2023 for meritorious public services for four decades and was also bestowed with the IOC Oman Award for dedicated social service Award the same year for dedicated social service.
He is also the recipient of the OICC Salalah Certificate of Appreciation for Exemplary Service during the Covid pandemic. The business leader was also given the Kairali Salalah Award 2021 for dedicated social and humanitarian service towards the Indian community. In 2021, he received the Indian Achievers Award.
In 2018, he was given the Salalah NSS Award for service to the community and committed support to the Salalah Nair Service Society. The same year, Sanathanan also received the Thanal Salalah Great Achievement Award. The Indian Social Club Malayalam Wing Award 2018 for Outstanding Public Service Achievements and Contributions also went to this business magnate in 2018.
Other Honours
IMI Salalah Award (2016) for Outstanding Public Service, Achievements & Contributions
Gurunadam Award (2014) from the Kingdom of Bahrain for prominent Businessman & Humanitarians in the Middle East
Indian Social Club Award for Outstanding Service, Achievements & Contributions (2006)
Janaseva Award for Public Service instituted by the Amritha Samithy, Salalah (2006)
Vijnana Bharati Award for Public Service, Science India Forum, Muscat (2006)
Hind Rattan Award for Outstanding Service, Achievements & Contributions by NRI Welfare Society of India, New Delhi (1996)
US Air Force Award for Outstanding & Professional Services (1991)
Family
Sanathanan, who became an Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers AMIE in Mechanical Engineering in 1976, is married to Thara, who used to conduct coaching classes at the Chinmaya Mission. The couple has two daughters. The eldest, Simi, is a doctorate holder like her father, and she is serving as the Vice-President of an event management company in India. Married to Sanalkumar, she has three children—Siddharth, Soorya and Sathya. The second daughter, Soumya, has a PhD in Music and teaches at Indian School Salalah. She is also a playback singer and percussionist who does stage shows in Oman and India.
Contact Information
Dr Sanathanan Kunjukrishnan
Al Watheq Engineering and Contracting Co LLC
PO Box: 2047, Salalah 211, Sultanate of Oman
GSM: +968 99492790, +91 9995078000
Email:
