Years ago, when two men met on a flight, little did they know that a lovely, long-lasting friendship between them was written in their stars, even after one of them left the world. It has been three years since the death of Dr Anji Reddy, founder of Dr Reddy’s and the pioneer of drug research, but his ideology and passion for research is still being remembered by his best buddy Dr Mohan, founder of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre.
Recalling his first meeting with Dr Anji two decades ago, Dr Mohan says, “I first met him on a flight to Bengaluru, but I was not formally introduced to him. On my return to Chennai the next day, we were again on the same flight and were seated next to each other. We spoke a lot. A PhD and a technocrat, he spoke at length about his passion for research and I shared with him my dream to build a research centre. He immediately promised all his support.”
Passionate people have a certainty about them which draws like-minded people closer and that is what happened to the two.
“After I delivered my talk in Chennai, he called me the next morning and asked if I could join his work. I was surprised and sought some time to think. Later, when I discussed about this with my friends, they said he wanted my technical advice for developing some kind of molecules. Dr Anji later told me that he was disappointed when I said I would get back to him. He had expected me to say yes instantly,” recalls Dr Mohan.
Their camaraderie grew stronger over the years. Remembering those days, Dr Anji’s son Satish Reddy, MD and CEO of Dr Reddy’s Labs, says, “My father and Dr Mohan were close friends and I believe it was their common passion for research that drew them together.
Dr Mohan is one of those rare individuals who qualified as a doctor twice — first as an MBBS graduate and then by completing his PhD and D.Sc in diabetes research. My father’s fascination with research focussed on finding cures for diseases.
I vividly recall how they would spend long hours in animated discussion and bounce ideas off each other. They had mutual respect and admiration and enjoyed a rewarding personal and professional relationship that grew in strength over the years.”
Another passion that deepened their mutual regard was philanthropy. “Dr Mohan’s mobile diabetes vans, telemedicine initiatives and clinics provide free screening and treatment for hundreds of diabetes patients. This was analogous to my dad’s philanthropic mindset and efforts to provide the poor access to good healthcare facilities,” Satish says.
Dr Mohan remembers his friend as a compassionate, true practitioner of giving. “He was highly ethical. In the 20 years I knew him, never once did he hint that this molecule is not doing well and needs a little bit of help. That’s what I expect from any chairman of the company. The other thing I liked about him was that he helped everyone, not just me. He helped L.V. Prasad and many other institutions, expecting nothing in return. He donated to Pune-based National Chemical Laboratory, because he felt that the institute made him what he was. He sold his shares for donations and never donated from his company,” he says.
During his last days, Dr Anji would often turn to Dr Mohan for comfort and solace, adds Satish.
Dr Mohan adds, “His dream was that India should have a molecule he discovered. He was very close to it, but somehow, he couldn’t achieve it. He was disappointed of not being able to bring an Indian-made drug into the market.”
