Media Presence
Over the years, Mr. Manikandan Chandran’s work and ventures have drawn recognition from national media and technology communities alike. His journey as a technologist and entrepreneur has been featured and appreciated for its innovative impact and inspiring story.
Interview on the Future of AI in Education – Queen Creek Tribune.
Mr. Manikandan Chandran, who earned a master’s of computer applications from Madras Christian College, has nearly two decades of experience working with cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, machine learning, and AI.
Currently, he works as a senior software engineer at Matson, Inc. in Phoenix.
He makes one point that he emphasizes above all others: “AI will never replace humans, but if you’re not learning AI, then for sure somebody with AI skills will replace you.”
In talking with students, Chandran said he learned that many were lagging behind the current AI trend.
Thus, he brainstormed the idea of a workshop to help community students.
This will be the first AI student workshop.
Depending on interest, he said he may offer additional sessions in the future. During the Jan. 3 session, Chandran will collect students’ project ideas and use them to guide the topics and instruction of future workshops.
Featured in The New Indian Express
In an interview with The New Indian Express (April 22, 2018), Mr. Manikandan shared his vision of bridging tradition with technology. He explained how BookMyIyer.com was designed to help individuals and families who had relocated to metropolitan cities and no longer had access to their family priests. The article highlighted how the platform quickly grew in popularity across Chennai and Bengaluru, offering a convenient and reliable way to find and book experienced priests for various ceremonies.
“We want to cater to the specific needs of people who won’t have access to a family priest in the city,” says C Manikandan, founder, Book My Iyer.”
— The New Indian Express (April 22, 2018)
Under his leadership, BookMyIyer.com built a network of over 1,000 priests, many of whom were part-time professionals performing rituals before or after their regular work. The portal became a cultural innovation, combining spirituality and digital accessibility, earning praise for its modern approach to preserving traditional practices.
As the platform flourished, Mr. Manikandan gradually transitioned its operations to his family, turning BookMyIyer.com into a family-managed business. Today, it continues to serve countless devotees with the same trust and quality that defined its early success.
Following this entrepreneurial milestone, Mr. Manikandan redirected his focus toward his technology career, bringing his entrepreneurial mindset into global corporations. He currently works with leading multinational companies (MNCs), contributing his decade-long experience in cutting-edge domains such as Microservices, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence.
His story reflects the perfect balance between innovation and tradition — an entrepreneur who built a meaningful digital platform and a professional who continues to lead with vision and technical depth. His journey stands as a testament to how strong ideas, when combined with purpose and persistence, can transcend industries and create long-lasting impact.
Over the years, he has also been recognized in various professional circles for his leadership approach, product innovation, and ability to transform challenges into scalable solutions. Beyond his media appearances, he remains deeply involved in mentoring young professionals and fostering innovation-driven culture wherever he works.
Today, Mr. Manikandan continues to inspire through both his entrepreneurial legacy and his corporate excellence. His work bridges the traditional and the technological, the spiritual and the scientific — embodying the spirit of modern Indian innovation.
Technology & Thought Leadership
Beyond entrepreneurship, Mr. Manikandan Chandran is often recognized for his thought leadership in technology. With over a decade of experience in Microservices, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, and AI, his professional journey exemplifies the fusion of deep technical expertise and visionary entrepreneurship.
