Kallam Anji Reddy, Founder and Chairman of Hyderabad-based pharma major Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), and a man with a net worth of $1.39 billion, passed away on Friday afternoon.
The 72-year-old was an acknowledged pioneer in reverse engineering and held in esteem among the scientific community dealing with pharmaceuticals.
He was known for his significant contribution in making pharma products globally competitive and ensuring that medicines were affordable to the common man. He was especially recognised for his passion in leveraging genuine technological interventions and making active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and formulations effective by getting out medicines into the market in the shortest possible time.
Apart from his pre-eminent position in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Reddy was active in “giving back to society” and established the Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, Naandi Foundation and NICE (Neo-Natal Intensive Care and Emergencies), the only new born institute in Asia that also runs a large-scale community outreach programme that saves young lives every day.
Born in 1940 in Tadepalli in Guntur district, he studied at the Zilla Parishad High School till Class X, got his first Bachelor’s Degree in Science from A.C. College, Guntur, in 1958, and a B.Sc. in Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals from Bombay University. He got a Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, in 1969.
Before setting up DRL in 1984, with an initial capital of Rs.25 lakh, he worked in the State-owned IDPL between 1969 and 1975. He then left to start Uniloids in 1976 for which he was MD till 1980 after which he established Standard Organics Limited. Since 1984, DRL grew to transform the Indian bulk drug industry from being import-dependent to export-oriented.
Dr. Reddy, who was conferred Padma Bhushan in 2011, was a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade and Industry, a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering and Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation.
He was also President, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, apart from serving on the board of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Switzerland, and Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance), New York.
a True Bharat Ratna!
Its a very sad news. We lost a very good helpfull man. We will be miss him.
I am all ready worked with his organisation Dr. Reddy's lab.
Huge loss to Dr Reddy's also to the pharmaceutical industry. His work,his philosophy & his vision of giving back to society will be never forgeted. Salute to Dr K. Anji Reddy.
Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts
he is a great personality, my inspiration
All good things must come to an end.With the passing away of
Dr.Reddygaaru we have lost a scientist of high calibre. He was a
philanthropist too.He graced our scientific community. And for those of
us who knew and loved respected him – he graced our lives.
Dr. Reddy,A Great Human Being wanted to work with Government in close partnership and envisioned creation of an India, free from poverty. With this in mind, he set up in 1998 the “Naandi Foundation” as a Public Charitable Trust. As the founding Chairman, his vision and leadership meant Naandi was designed to be a unique entity. Accordingly, this multi-state, multi-sectoral social enterprise is probably India's largest rural safe drinking water provider, gives mid day meals to 1.3 million government school going children and farmers. Dr. Reddy has taken up the cause of safe motherhood, new born care and thereby reduce maternal and neo-natal care, Dr. Reddy spearheaded and founded the Neo natal Intensive Care and Emergencies called “NICE Foundation”, the only new born institute in Asia that also does large scale community outreach program, saving a number of lives on a daily basis.May his SOUL rest in peace.
Great loss to Indian and Global Pharmaceutical Industry. May his soul rest in peace.
I was taken aback and saddened by the news of Dr Anji’s death. Dr Anji Reddy was more than just a colleague; He was an amazing person. He spent his life in persuit of medical innovation to help those in need. He was always so kind and considerate to us all that I always welcomed seeing him at every opportunity. His passing will not only leave a void in all our lives, but in the hearts of everyone who knew him
I always look at wise men to provide comfort:
“When one finds a faithful friend,
His value is far beyond gold.
He is clothed with strength and dignity,
and he laughs at the days to come.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
He who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price,
No sum can balance his worth.
Let your acquaintances be many,
But one in a thousand your faithful friend.
For he who loves his friends behaves accordingly,
and his friends will be like himself”
My sincere thoughts and prayers are with Dr Anji’s loved ones.
With deepest sympathy
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