Thursday, July 18, 2013

Reminiscence- Aravind Eye care systems

In late December-2011, when the train reached Madurai; a gentle breeze greeted 450+ battalion. Its the place of Goddess Meenakshi and to reach there, we almost did an adventure of speeding in more pace than a oncoming storm.Now,for me and many in the battalion, Madurai is no more an important religious place.

When I used to think about Social-entrepreneurship, it was simply a high-level NGO which speaks of malice in the society and cries for the money and just put a face that they are good things so they are not growing.

There came an attitudinal change. Aravind  Eye care systems were introduced. Believe me, now whenever I think of a perfect business or a business which is actually stick to its vision,Aravind Eye care systems cross my mind. Thanks to Dr.S.Aravind, who didn't give a Gyan speech but made us think beyond the walls of physical miracle before our eyes.He touched my imagination and one way he advised not to force self to do things because in long run force remains and beauty vanishes.

The words of Dr.V started resounding in his speech,"There must be something beautiful in doing things." Its difficult.I can't imagine a billionaire coming up saying 'I built this beauty.' He simply says,'I built an empire' and the underlying indication is he is an emperor. I may sound illogical but I used to feel business and beauty are contradictory and they cant coexist.

Now, let me stop the talking and let me show you a video.One of my favorite video and forget not to praise the charm of lady and glow in her eyes and behind it all, there is a man who built a system which is extra-efficient and he is "Dr.V"

Here is the video and do share your thoughts






Monday, July 8, 2013

Its always not about which side we take...!

Till a few months back, I was hearing the concerns and complaints of fellow veterinarians (especially in Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh) about the effects of BT cotton on the over all health of dairy animals and small ruminants(Sheep and Goat). Even I prescribed the detoxicants assuming the effect of cotton fields as they grazed in BT cotton fields. Among veterinarians, a few argued, its the rampant use of fertilizers in Bt cotton fields and a few argued about the toxins in the form of proteins being developed in BT cotton. Though I don't know about the right argument; I am a direct witness of the BT cotton on animal health.


There were times when the cotton farmers suicides were a daily news item. At certain places of Andhra pradesh,there were panic situations and as usual the political mantra was ex gratia and at that time, as I learned(open to interpretations), every one was numb about the advent of  BT cotton. The hands were shook with that big boss to bring in the technology and the story followed. But can we deny the fact that cotton farmers suicides came down? The cotton farming is a relatively stable business now. 


There is political angle to every problem in India. Last year, AP Government couldn't supply the cotton seeds and there were several gimmicks associated with it and not going into details of it; I infer that farmers are willing to grow cotton. Now what do we call it? Lack of public participation-its not really right to conclude. I'm not saying that whatever Government proposes is right but do we expect utopia in every situation.Its a democracy but even in democracies, its always sense of possibilities which should prevail. 
Now, yes its about the BRAI bill which caught my attention and these are my instant flow of thoughts............
(To be continued...)