Maverick Entrepreneur

Rs 5000 Crore Company!

Dr. Arokiaswamy Velumani's success story is truly inspiring. Born on April 12, 1959, in a small village in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Velumani grew up in poverty, often surviving on just one meal a day. His father was a landless farmer, and his mother sold milk from their buffaloes to make ends meet.

Despite the financial struggles, Velumani's father emphasized the importance of education. Velumani completed his schooling at Sri Venkateswara High School and went on to study at the University of Madras. He later earned his master's degree in 1985 and a doctoral degree in Thyroid Biochemistry from the University of Mumbai.

Velumani's first job was at a small pharmaceutical company, Gemini Capsules, where he earned a meager Rs. 150 per month, less than the salary of a watchman. He worked tirelessly for four years, sending Rs. 100 to his family every month.

In 1996, Velumani founded Thyrocare Technologies Limited, a diagnostic and preventive care laboratory, with an initial investment of just Rs. 1 lakh. He introduced a franchisee model, offering affordable thyroid testing services to millions of Indians. Today, Thyrocare is the world's largest thyroid testing company, with a network of over 1,000 outlets across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Middle East.

Velumani's success can be attributed to his focus on affordability, accessibility, and quality. He believes in "taking less to get more" and has maintained a lean business model, with minimal costs and maximum efficiency.

Throughout his journey, Velumani has received numerous awards and recognition, including The Weekend Leader – VIT Amazing Entrepreneur Award. His story is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and innovative thinking.