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to pay, and has been billed as a modern-day Said Mazumdar-Shaw, “I feel extremely
Robin Hood. In a 2021 interview with HT, privileged and humbled to be recognised
Hamied said, “I would love to partner with for my lifetime efforts in building Biocon
companies to produce drugs that we have to be a responsible and empathetic biotech
no know-how of — maybe we could partner company that is driven by the purpose of
with a large vaccine manufacturer. I would delivering affordable access to essential
certainly look at it, very, very seriously.” In medicines. As a scientist, I was inspired by
2020, Cipla launched a range of drugs to the vision of creating an organisation that
treat Covid-19, including a generic version leverages science & technology to widen
of Remdesivir manufactured under license access to lifesaving drugs for patients on
from Gilead Sciences. the lowest rung of the economic ladder. It
On Cipla’s mission statement, Hamied is through our philosophy of affordable
says: “Success does not make a company innovation that we have been able to make
great; what really matters is its a difference to global health equity by
contribution to society and its contribution ensuring that no patient anywhere in the
to making life better for everyone. I think world is denied essential and lifesaving
that sums up Cipla’s attitude.” His words biologic drugs on account of affordability.”
have proof in the pudding. Cipla Palliative
Care & Training Center just completed 39. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, 64, Lawyer
their silver jubilee last year, marking 25 Abhishek Singhvi
years of dedicated and remarkable work of is an eminent
palliative care in India. jurist, writer and
parliamentarian,
38. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, 69, known for his plain-
Entrepreneur speaking facts.
A self-made woman The youngest
and India’s richest, designated Senior
Kiran Mazumdar- Advocate – at the age of 34; the youngest
Shaw, Executive Additional Solicitor General of India – at
Chairperson of thirty-seven; and, the youngest elected
Biocon Ltd. and vice president of the Supreme Court
Biocon Biologics Ltd Bar Association – at thirty-nine are
experienced 2022 as year of great personal meritorious of this self –made man.
loss. She lost her mum and husband within From 1997 to 98, he was Additional
four months of each other. Solicitor General of India. He was
But brave souls here on earth, continue chairman of the Parliamentary Committee
their journey with courage. Shaw was on Law and the AICC Law and Human
recipient of the H.K. Firodia Lifetime Rights Department. He was a member of
Achievement Award 2022 for Excellence the Committee of Privileges from 2006 to
in Science & Technology for her 2010. From August 2009 to July 2011, he
“monumental contributions as a global served as the Member of the Committee on
leader in biotechnology innovation and Personnel in Public Grievances, Law and
entrepreneurship.” Justice Department.
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #44 | FEBRUARY 2023 19
