A native of Salem, SN Chandrasekar, a mechanical engineer, wanted to start a business that would not only earn him profits but also benefit people. After a few years of research on various fields, an article on emu inspired Chandrasekar to set up a farm in 2006. With just 1,000 birds imported from Andhra Pradesh, he started rearing emu in his own farm in Salem. After moving to Nammakal a few years later, he set up a 40-acre farm, Vc Emu Faarm India Ltd, with 10,000 birds at Tiruchengode, 35km from Nammakal. “I always had an urge to start a business,” says Chandrasekar. “When I came across an article on emu, I was fascinated by its various beneficiary features — especially its 98 per cent fat-free meat. So, I decided to set up a farm and rear emus.”The farm covers a centralised feed manufacturing unit that provides nutritious and healthy feed to the birds and a hatchery unit with state of the art incubators and equipment. Other units that comprise the farm include a hygienic slaughtering and processing facility, complete with cold storage and packing equipment, oil refineries and soap factories, cosmetic, feather and leather industries. “This business didn’t grow overnight. I did two years of research on emu and it took more than three years to expand the farm that now has 10,000 birds,” he beams with pride. The brown, soft-feathered, flightless birds reach up to 2 metres (6 feet) in height and belong to the family of ratites. With long thin necks and legs, emu birds are quite different from chicken but Chandrasekar claims that its meat is equally delicious. “The meat of emu is 98 per cent fat free, tender, juicy and lean red with a pH value equivalent to beef. Food lovers who are health conscious can opt for this meat,” says Chandrasekar. “In fact, American Heart Association recommend this meat for diabetics and for those with heart problems. It is called ‘heart health meat’,” explains the 38-year old breeder.Chandrasekar, who is a member of American Emu Association, Ottawa, takes aid from them to expand his farm and also implements various new technologies to breed the emu. “In Chennai, there are not many people who have these emu farms. People are not aware of its features. So, we want to convey the message that it is a medicated food compared to other meats,” explains Chandrasekar.With the launch of Maya & Maya Emu restaurant at Shanthi Colony last year, Chandrasekar has invited lot of Chennaiites to experiment and binge on a different kind of meat. From Emu burgers, Emu biryani, Emu chukka to Emu 605, this variety of red meat will satiate your taste bud in a healthy way. Adjacent to the restaurant, there is a souvenir shop that has emu eggs with paintings on it, wall hanging, dusters and bags made of emu feathers and emu oil. “Emus are also farmed for their oil, feathers and leather. Emu oil has become a significant factor in alternative treatments for skincare, arthritis, hair loss, diabetes, and many other medical conditions.” After opening his first retail outlet in Chennai, Chandrasekar has plans to expand emu shops in other cities too. “Currently, we are concentrating on Chennai, mainly because the buying capacity in this city is very good. We’re opening our second outlet in Besant Nagar on July 14.” Call 43500137 (restaurant at Shanthi Colony).
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