Dr Mukesh Batra, Founder of Dr. Batra’s Group of Companies, while congratulating the awardees summarises his entrepreneurship journey in four letters
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been wondering why I have been asked to address an elite audience of Goa’s business movers and shakers. Maybe because I haven’t done too badly in dispensing small, white pills. I have been asked to share my experience and entrepreneurship journey by Harshvardhan in twelve minutes. Let me try to summarise my business lessons in just four letters. 2Ps and 2Ds. The first is ‘Passion’. Everything begins with a desire to do something big and different. This means that you have to have an inherent risk-taking ability to put your money where your mouth is and have the courage to follow your dreams. ‘Jigar waalon ko darr se vasta nahin hota, hum kadam wahan rakhte hain jahan raasta nahin hota.’ In management people speak of the first mover advantage but I call it the first mover disadvantage. The first mover creates with his sweat and money while the others easily follow, copy or adapt. Sweat needs ‘jigar’ or courage to be a first-generation entrepreneur.
The first D stands for ‘Discipline’. Without discipline you can’t get too far, whether it’s your health, your business or your life. It is said that the best exercise to lose weight is to nod your head from side to side; so, say no when you see food before you and also go on a see food diet where you see food but do not eat it. Discipline takes you where you want to be. It is said and I quote here “Motivation keeps you going but discipline keeps you growing.” So, to grow a business, discipline is very important; whether it is a physical discipline or discipline of values on which your company is based. It is the discipline of strong business values that will take you through the uncertain vagaries of business and the ups and downs that life presents.
‘Determination’ is the next D. I have seen many entrepreneurs give up too soon, too early. Setting a goal is important but seeing your goal go through is more important. It needs hard work, focus, determination, and perseverance.
‘Perseverance’ it is said, is the key to success. Once you get after something make sure you go there till you get it. Stay determined and come out tops against all odds. Look at every obstacle as a challenge and I am sure there will be many in your journey as an entrepreneur, that need to be overcome. ‘Kadam choom leti hai manzil hi aakar, agar rahi khud apni himmat na hare.’
Finally, I come to the last P and that is ‘Purpose’. We all talk about high goals in corporate life. But let me share this quote with you. ‘Rehne de aasman zameen ki talash kar, sab kuch yahin hai, na kahin aur talash kar. Har aarzoo poori ho, to jeene ka kya mazzaa, Jeene ke liye bus ek wajah ki talash kar.’ When you mix purpose with passion, you then set out on a fabulous entrepreneurial journey.
In my company, I believe that when you have a purpose, that is the reason for your being. It helps to extend yourself to the fullest in whatever you are doing. In my company, our purpose is to create wealth and to share wealth. Part of our profits go to helping the disadvantaged. Over 175 free clinics and scholarships in leading universities for education, so the more we earn, the more we can share. I have even linked my hobbies to charities like photography to help the visually challenged, and singing for an old widow’s home. It helps me to continue improving my skills as I have a charitable purpose behind them. I end with this little poem that my mother used to recite to me and I would like to share it with you. Life is an echo, it all comes back, the good, the false, the true. So, give the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.
I urge you ladies and gentlemen of business, do some form of social entrepreneurship or genuine CSR in whatever you do. The blessings that you will collect along the way will heal you and grow you.
Heartiest congratulations to all the winners and my deepest and grateful thanks to Harshvardhan and the team of Business Goa for having given me this opportunity.
Dev Borem Korun.
