Interaction with Dr. Kiran Majumdar Shaw the Bioentrepreneur

Recently I had opportunity to have interaction with Dr. Kiran Majumdar Shaw the biotech entrepreneur and Managing Director of Biocon Limited. I am so much delighted to write about it and share with all of you the moments I saw.

She presented a slideshow which described the growth & developments of Biocon. After that we had an interaction session. The complete program lasted for about one hour.

Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw's story says one thing loud & clear, nothing succeeds like success. It also precisely tells us why modest aspirations and goals don't fit into her scheme of things. She started Biocon India in 1978 with a capital of Rs 10,000, when biotechnology was merely a word in the country. “And today, it's the 20th leading biotechnology company in the world. I was the first to begin it all and of course, that's a great feeling,” said Dr. Shaw & admitted that “the journey has been challenging and that's why, exciting too.”

She was here today at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, considering a possible collaboration with NIPER, looking towards an industry-academia partnership and considering extensive research programs too. “The visit was long overdue. They have excellent facilities and infrastructure and together we can create a centre of excellence.”

Talking about her experience being a woman & businesswoman she said “The glass ceiling and gender biases had to be dealt with. But I looked at them as perception hurdles. You have to overcome it all by showing how to lead, take hard decisions, be a great people's manager, handle responsibility, interact at any plane and here I am.”  Her strengths have been, focus until completion, ability to solve problems and develop people-centric goals.

She inspired us to come up as entrepreneurs and not merely job seekers. I quote her words “Own up and accept challenges because it is only through ownership that India could be made a strong nation”. She gave emphasis on how one can go ahead and establish an empire. Giving strength to the industry institute tie ups she said that “Biocon is looking forward to forging a working relationship with the NIPER which would certainly help in the growth of the country,” she also gave details of collaboration of Biocon with other universities & companies policies in this regard.

I liked the most that she was well aware about what she was talking, to whom she was talking & her each word was mastered by perfection. Her gestures, her positivity, her command during the whole program was just superb. Her answers to questions were simple & gave strong messages to students.

She was given memento by Dr. Rao Director,NIPER SAS Nagar and the program concluded. We came out with a message to become entrepreneurs & build strong nation.