TE: Tell us something about your business:
DR. ARVIND LAL: This pathology laboratory was started by my late father, Dr. (Major) S. K. Lal in 1949. I took over the lab after he died in 1977, till then I was a Lecturer in Pathology & Microbiology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. At that time we were testing about 30 patients every day. Now the number of patients has risen to 22,000 per day! This has been made possible due to the fact that we are running about 100 laboratories and about 1,000 collection centres all over India. We have also recently operationalised Asia's biggest lab at Rohini, New Delhi. We employ about 2,500 people including 110 pathologists. This rapid advancement in our testing facilities has been made possible due to the fact that modern medicine is absolutely evidence based and that lab tests are responsible for 70% of all medical decisions.
TE: Being a successful entrepreneur, what does the term achievement mean to you?
DR. ARVIND LAL: Achievement means that hard work begets success. At the same time it means that there is a lot more to be achieved given the fact that majority of our countrymen do not have access to quality clinical testing facilities. As 'Life Style' diseases like Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Obesity, Cancer, Kidney and Liver diseases are going to be rampant and will account for majority of deaths in the future, my work has just begun. I consider it my divine duty to save as many lives as possible by carrying out preventive health testing. Any abnormality detected at our level has a very high degree of possibility of complete reversal. In other words, timely testing and altering of bad life styles will make a much healthier and of course, prosperous India.
TE: Who has been your inspiration in reaching such heights in your career? Do you have a role model?
DR. ARVIND LAL: I have greatly been influenced by my late Guru Baba Hairakhan also known as the Mahavatar Baba or the Immortal Baba. He taught me that the fastest path to godliness in Kalayuga was by practicing 'Karmayoga and Japayoga'. This means doing one's duty and constantly chanting the gods' name. My role model would be late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who reunited India after the departure of the British.
TE: What is your special message for the youth of today who wish to be successful entrepreneurs like you?
DR. ARVIND LAL: My special message to the youth would be to dream high and aim higher. Also, to have a laser focus on your goals and to use only the highest ethics and morality in achieving your goals.
TE: Your marketing strategy and intended goal?
DR. ARVIND LAL: My marketing strategy would be to give the patient best possible service in addition to giving him the most accurate report possible. He should always have a pleasant experience whenever he visits any of our labs or collection centres.
TE: They say that success is a combination of inspiration, perspiration and an element of luck. What is your take on that?
DR. ARVIND LAL: It is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration and luck. To learn from your mistakes.
TE: How do you see yourself two years down the line?
DR. ARVIND LAL: I see myself slightly older, hopefully wiser and a better human being!
ON PERSONAL FRONT:
What do you do for relaxation from your hectic schedule?
Half and hour of morning prayers followed by one hour of brisk walking in the Deer Park, Hauz Khaz with my wife, Dr. Vandana Lal.
Tell us about your hobbies/interest and how you manage your time to pursue them.
My interest is in security matters that confront our country. I am fairly knowledgeable about strategic matters and have a good knowledge of modern weapons systems. I can tell about the missiles and nuclear warheads that will be used in case of the World War III. Also, I am an ardent photographer and love to shoot people and landscapes. I can shoot pictures and read whenever I go on holiday.
Which city would you choose to visit for a leisure trip?
I am most happy when I visit Ranikhet! It is so close to snow clad mountains and is 'Dev Bhumi' a natural place to meditate.
One thing that you wish to do for the betterment of the society.
Banishing illness and making a healthier and a happier society.
Do you think that every citizen needs to show his concern for the country in whichever way he/she can? Do small contributions like this go a long way?
Yes, I do believe that a contribution, however small, can make a significant change in the outcome of events. A case in point would be the movement led by Anna Hazare. If all the people of India said NO to corruption, then India would truly get rid of corruption one day.
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