P.G. and Research Department of Botany launched a herbal handmade soap- Kethaki. The UG students of the Department were given training to make this organic, floral extract based soaps with natural ingredients of medicinal value. The product is named Kethaki-  meaning elegant and beautiful as a flower. The flowers used are Clitoria ternatea (ശംഖുപുഷ്പം), Tagetes erecta (ജണ്ടുമല്ലി), Ixora coccinea (തെച്ചിപ്പൂ) and Saraca asoca (അശോകത്തെറ്റി). The fragrance used are of Michelia champaka (ചെമ്പകം ) and Mimusops elengi (ഇലഞ്ഞി). The soaps are antimicrobial,antiallergic and antiaging. This marks the begining of  establishing a herbal based cosmetic manufacturing unit at the department. The department has initiated the quality certification procedures