New
York, March 16: Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy was born in Tadepalli in Guntur
district, AP. His father was a farmer. He studied in ZPHS School,
Nutakki until 10th grade, graduated from AC College, Guntur in 1958,
B.Sc (Tech) from Bombay University, Ph.D. in chemical engineering from
the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune in 1969.
Dr. Reddy
started his career in Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL)
(1969–1975), then he left the job to found Uniloids Ltd in 1976, founded
Standard Organics Limited (SOL) in 1980, before founding Dr Reddy's
Labs in 1984 with an initial capital of Rs 25 lakh and he is worth $1.4
Billion US Dollars. Under his leadership, DRL has been a pioneer and
trendsetter in the Indian Pharmaceutical industry.
Here are some of the highlights of his life:
Contribution to Hyderabad Growth:
In
1970s, Pharma industry was not that big in Hyderabad and there were
only handful of companies. Those companies used to produce the medicines
for people of AP and all those were basic medications. Dr. Anji Reddy
was the pioneer for Pharma Industry, who brought the Pharma Industry to
India and put the Hyderabad in world map much before the IT industry. At
some point of time, 80% of World Ibuprofen drug consumption was being
produced in Hyderabad. All the credit for this goes to Dr. Anji Reddy.
Dr. Reddy has given employment to thousands of families in Hyderabad
directly and lakhs of families benefited indirectly and touched millions
of people around the world through his medicines.
To
give you an example, when USA worried about Swine Flu, USA looked at
Andhra Pradesh to get the medication for entire USA. Within a short
period of time, AP has sent the shipments to USA. That is the power of
AP Pharma industry now. Hetero Drugs has supplied that medication. Even
when IT industry has ups and downs, Hyderabad did not face the down turn
because Pharma industry is stable. I do not have the numbers but 20% of
Hyderabad growth can be credited to Pharma Industry.
Inspirational to several:
Dr.
Anji Reddy has been inspirational to several industrialists in Andhra
Pradesh. Some of the Industrialist were fortunate to work directly with
him and some industrialists were indirectly inspired by him and started
Pharma industries with confidence. There are hundreds of Ancillary units
to Pharma industry. Whole Pharma Industry should be thankful to him.
Hundreds of industrialists in Hyderabad either worked in Dr. Reddy Labs
or supplied products to DRL. Hetero Drugs Parthasarathi Reddy, Aurabindo
Ram Prasad Reddy, Divi Labs Murali, Virco Narayana Reddy and Venkata
Reddy have worked for him and started the companies on their own. It is
very hard to find a pharmacy company owner who did not work for Dr.
Reddy.
Gave financial support to several:
Dr.
Anji Reddy has given employment to hundreds of families in 1980s, later
become thousands and lakhs in 1990s. Thousands of families directly
benefited by this and because of the employment, these families were
able to afford higher studies for their kids and relatives. This was
indirect help to thousands of families and he was The God to several
families. I personally know a lot of families, who did not have basic
education to get the job, but they got the jobs in 1980s and 1990s and
now their families are rich and living in high standards. They are very
fortunate to have an Industrialist like Dr. Anji Reddy.
Cost of the Drugs:
Most
of the drugs are invented in Developed countries like USA, Germany and
they charge very high prices. If you convert the same dollars and try to
sell for the same price, not even one percent of the people in India
can afford it. This is where Dr. Reddy made a difference, Hyderabad
became a Pharma hub and most of the medicines are being produced in AP.
Even though Dr. Reddy has been selling for higher prices to US
companies, Reddy Labs has been selling for nominal cost in India. This
is not only in India but also other developing countries in Africa and
Asia got benefited by this. Because of this philosophy, medicine costs
were down and even poor people can afford medication. This is how Dr.
Reddy touched millions of people around the world.
Charitable Contributions:
After
few years and seeing ups and downs of life, Dr. Reddy started Nandi
Foundation. To give you an example, Dr. Reddy bought Mercedes Benz S500
at his earlier years and only two other people (Dheerubai Ambani and RP
Goenka) had that car in India at that time. He bought Honda Accord in
his later days and his son Mr. Satish Reddy asked why do not you buy
latest car and he said instead of spending one crore on the good car, I
will buy Honda Accord and the balance amount could be donated to Nandi
Foundation so that poor people can be benefited. Through Nandi
foundation, he has helped various water purification plants and other
poor people. He has helped LV Prasad eye institute also.
Awards:
Dr.
Anji Reddy has received so many awards. Here are some of awards: “Padma
Bhushan” one of the highest civilian Award by Indian Government in
2011, Padma Shri in 2001, Sir PC Ray award (1984 and 1992), Businessman
of the Year in 2001; CHEMTECH Foundation 'Hall of Fame' award in 2005.
My personal experience:
As
a family friend, I had the privilege to meet him few times and closely
observe him since 1980s. I know hundreds of families who worked for him
and got benefited. We had a good conversation about the American
Universities and he shared his USA experiences with me. He has visited
USA several times and his son Sathish Reddy studied in USA. He has
inspired me and encouraged me to come to USA for higher studies. I am
always thankful to him from bottom of my heart.
I am sure
his son Satish Reddy has big shoes to fill in and he has been helping
DRL. I wish him good luck and hoping that he will carry the legacy of
his father Dr. Anji Reddy. We all miss Dr. Reddy and Andhra Pradesh
would not see a Visionary Industrialist like him. May his soul rest in
peace in heaven.
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