Biggest Achievement yet to come Dr Batra

Biggest Achievement yet to come Dr Batra

1. Happy birthday. What do you consider to be your biggest achievement in your 65 years? What was the biggest year for you till date and why?

• Although I am now 65 years old, I still think my biggest achievement is yet to come and this is what keeps me going. I always strive to achieve better than what I did yesterday. Becoming a doctor is only one of my biggest achievements as it is one of the most noble professions that helps you help those in need. Treating my patients and seeing them make a full recovery is an unmatchable feeling. Over time, people only remember the way you made them feel rather than the words you spoke, so I feel blessed to have chosen this noble profession more than 43 years ago.
• I have had 2 very significant years that have shaped my professional life, 1982 and 2011. 1982 because that is when I got my first breakthrough and decided to open a clinics on my own, if not for that leap of faith, I would not be here today. That year made me realize that no business can be successful without risks, I took mine and lead me to a successful business. And 2011, because that is when my son, Dr Akshay Batra, gifted me study material to enroll for a management course in best practices in healthcare at Harvard University. At first I was obviously taken aback! How can anyone study at 60! But then I actually completed the course and too my surprise I loved it, brought back some very good memories from college and I passed out as the oldest student that year. This year I realized that it is never too late to start something new and I have always made sure that I pass this message to everyone I meet. Sometimes, life springs surprises at you and embracing it is the best thing you can do.

2. You are credited to be the pioneer in modern homeopathy in India. How hard was it to change people's mindsets about homeopathy and what were the challenges you faced to bring it on par with conventional medicine?

• Choosing Homeopathy as a medical practice in the year 1973 was one of tough career decision. There were very few people who actually believed in homeopathy. Therefore, the most difficult challenge was to change the way homeopathy was perceived.
• The answer was rather simple, it lacked an organized process driven approach, the solution on the other hand was the toughest part. Those days technology did not come easy. We were the first player to set standardization protocols for medicines, treatments and even clinics interiors, in otherwise unorganized medical sector.
• After a lot of efforts of break stereotypes to building a category for Homeopathy, today, homeopathy is viewed as a modern, progressive, efficient and effective medical option.

3. Tell us about your Dr Batra's® Positive Health Foundation (CSR). Who all do you reach out to and what prompted you to start this in 2001?

• Dr Batra's® Positive Health Foundation was founded on my 50^th birthday. As I started I found the idea of charging a fee to treat other people's illnesses, health concerns and problems appalling. The Foundation has been set up with the idea of ‘joy of giving' and provides free homeopathic treatment to over 20,000 patients, through over 100 free clinics. Through the foundation, we have extended homeopathic care to animal welfare shelters, orphanages and old age homes. 
• We have also introduced a set of annual awards, Dr Batra's® Positive Health Awards, that recognise and celebrate those that have overcome disease and disability to lead useful lives. My personals interests that include photography and singing have been turned into exhibitions and concerts that raise funds for charitable causes. 

4. Internationally, how has the brand created waves? Do you have any further expansion plans? Where do you see the company 10 years from now?

• After a successful venture of over 221 clinics in India, we embarked on a journey to increase out footprint internationally. Currently we have over 8 clinics spread across UK, UAE and Bangladesh which have won several international recognitions.
• Just last month, we were awarded ‘Best Enterprise Award' and ‘Rose of Paracelsus', which the highest medical recognition for a medical practioner in Europe at an award ceremony by Europe Business Assembly in Germany. My company also won ‘Best Practices in Healthcare' award by European Society for Quality Research (ESQR) in Brussels. Owing to my contribution in the field of health, I was recognized as the ‘Person of the Year' in healthcare at the World Today Business Conclave 2016 in Abu Dhabi.
• This is a matter of pride and prestige not only for our organisation but also for homeopathy as a medical practice, that a Homeopathic medical institution was recognised for its medical and patient protocols internationally.
• Owing to this recognition, I believe there is a huge untapped market internationally. Through I have come a long way; I still have a long way to go. Homeopathy is legalized in 80 countries and we are present in only 4 of them. That is the scale I now aspire to reach.