Excellence Has No Borders by B S Ajaikumar

Author:B S Ajaikumar [Ajaikumar, Dr B.S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789353057282
Publisher: Penguin Random House India Private Limited
Published: 2019-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

Obstacles on the way

In early 1987, I started thinking seriously about starting a cancer centre in India. I had two locations in mind: Bengaluru and Mysuru. I always liked Mysuru, as my father hailed from there. I thought the city deserved a not-for-profit hospital. We all have these idealistic dreams, where we aim to give back to society. This was my dream and aspiration.

However, I had overestimated the goodness in people. I thought people would come forward and support me in setting up a cancer centre in Mysuru, as it was a noble cause. My father had a government contact and when I applied for some land, the official said he would try to help. I, too, had some contacts in the government. Everyone spoke of supporting this venture, but did nothing to help.

In the US, my weekend talks with Professor A.K. Ramanujan of the University of Chicago continued and he realized I harboured a deep desire to do something in India. He told me that the Karnataka chief minister was coming to the US and urged me to meet him. I still remember that day when I took the afternoon off and drove 300 miles to reach the Indian consulate in Chicago, where I was supposed to meet the chief minister.

At the consulate, he was accompanied by a senior bureaucrat and another minister, who would later go on to become the chief minister himself. Professor Ramanujan introduced me to the delegation and told them about my desire to make a difference to the oncology situation in Karnataka. My suggestion was laughed off. I was told they already had Kidwai for that and that there was no need for anything else.

We came out of the meeting, and Professor Ramanujan was upset and furious. He apologized profusely about the fact that I’d come all the way only to get this kind of treatment. He lamented that entrepreneurs and professionals were not encouraged in India. I consoled him, saying I would do it my own way and that my goal of doing something in India remained steadfast as ever.

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