Prathap Reddy's biography in Tamil

Chennai: The narration of the substantial achievements of a remarkable personality who fought many odds to prove his mettle often attracts many listeners.  Cardiologist-entrepreneur Prathap C. Reddy is not an exception. So there was rapt attention of the audience at a function held in the city on Sunday to launch   Dheergadharisi, Tamil translation of his biography.

The celebrated cardiologist turned medical entrepreneur had founded Apollo Hospital in Chennai way back in 1979, and it grew in a short span of time to a chain of corporate hospitals, 38 owned and 13 managed, treating patients from 120 countries. The book was in fact an introduction to the miraculous way Apollo had created opportunities, especially for doctors settled abroad, who in turn settled back in India by investing in technology. It also throws light on Dr Reddy introducing a culture of competence in the healthcare sector by ensuring a soothing environment  and influencing Tamil Nadu to develop the most advanced ‘cadaver policy’ in India.

Noted Tamil writer Sivasankari, who translated Dheergadharisi was present at the event and she attempted to vividly portray Dr Reddy’s metamorphosis from an ordinary doctor to one of India’s most enviable medical entrepreneurs, who revolutionised the healthcare sector. About the translation she said, “It was like catching an elephant and stuffing it in a pot”. She also confessed she failed to find an apt word for the word healer in the original title, Healer: Dr Prathap Chandra Reddy and The Transformation of India. Hence, she has chosen the title Dheergadharisi which is more apt. The book was launched by spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of Isha Foundation..

Apart from delightful anecdotes and dramatic twists and turns in his inspirational life and extraordinary career, 840 page Dheergadharisi traces the long and successful journey of Appollo hospital from a 150-bed hospital in Chennai to the Apollo Hospitals of today, which has grown to a 9,215-bed hospital chain with 2,200 pharmacies across the country, under the powerful and innovative leadership of Dr Reddy.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, said, “Almost 30 years ago, I lost a 38-year-old patient to a heart disease as he was not able to travel abroad for better treatment. This particular incident triggered the doctor in me to conceptualise and establish a world class healthcare organisation designed to suit the needs of our people right here in our country. Apollo Hospital was born with a mission to bring healthcare of international medical standards to patients in India”.

Originally published in English by Penguin, the biography “Healer: Dr Prathap C Reddy and the Transformation of India” is authored by Pranay Gupte. Priced at Rs 899/, Dheergadharisi is available at all leading bookstores, shopping portals and online bookstores.