Exnora kannanthe
Name: Exnora kannanthe
Born: 3 January 1976
Birth Place: Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality: Indian
Profession: Environmentalist, Social Activist, Philanthropist
Known For: Plastic-Free Nilgiris Movement
Positions Held: President of Nilgiris Exnora, Tamil Nadu Rights Organisation, Anti-Corruption Team India
Founder: wikigenuine.org
Awards: Environmentalist Award (TN Govt), Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Award, Pride of India Award, City Excellence Award, etc.
M. Kannan (born 3 January 1976), popularly known as Exnora Kannan, is an Indian environmentalist, social activist, and philanthropist from the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. He is recognized for his contributions to environmental preservation, social welfare, and human rights advocacy.
Early life
M. Kannan was born on 3 January 1976 in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India. He began his career in business before actively engaging in environmental and social activism.
Environmental activism
Kannan served as the President of Nilgiris Exnora, an environmental NGO focused on conservation and waste management. He led campaigns and demonstrations against single-use plastics in the Nilgiris, advocating for a district-wide ban. He also petitioned the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. J. Jayalalithaa, to implement laws to curb plastic usage.
For his efforts, Kannan received the Environmentalist Award from the Tamil Nadu State Government in 2012.
Social service
Kannan served as a member of the Child Welfare Committee under the Department of Social Defence, Government of Tamil Nadu, for a period of three years, an appointment made with the consultation and approval of the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Positions held
- President — Nilgiris Exnora
- State President — Tamil Nadu Rights Organisation
- Tamil Nadu State Coordinator — Anti-Corruption Team India
- State President (Membership) — SC/ST Federation of India
- State President — Dalit Rights Protection Forum
- Propaganda Secretary (Tamil Nadu) — BHP
- South India In-charge (Media) — Bharatiya Namo Sangh
- International Board Member — IJERAE World Research Council
- State Chief Publicity Head — RTI Human Rights and Activists Association
- State Secretary — National People’s Rights Protection Forum
- Sub-Editor — NPRF News Broadcasting Channel (P) Ltd
- Member — Council for National and International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Centre
- Member — World Federation Against Drugs
Awards and recognition
- Environmentalist Award — Tamil Nadu State Government (2012)
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Award for Social Service
- Pride of India Award — Socially Point Foundation
- City Excellence Award — India News Index
- Cosmos Golden Ratan Award
- Best Social Worker Award — Tamil Nadu Achievers Conference
- Best Leadership Award (2020)
- Best Social Work Award (2017) — International Global Peace University
- Memorial Award — People Forum of India
- Entrepreneur of the Year (2023) — We Care Foundation
- Bharatiya Bhushan Award — Socially Point Foundation