THE VISIONARY SOCIAL-ENTREPRENEUR

There is no denying that education and health are two factors fundamental to development and growth of a nation. When quality education and proper healthcare services are rendered to the citizens, the state or nation goes on the path to glory. And none other than Sri D. Murali Krishna can understand this. His contribution to the field of education and health has transformed the lives of many in the state. As the Founder-Chairman of Vikash Group of Institutions, Sri D. Murali Krishna has defied all odds and challenges to focus on his sole motto in life- serving the socio-economic needs of the society. In an exclusive chat with us, Sri D. Murali Krishna shares with us about his vision for Vikash Group of Institutions, digital education, opportunity to work during the pandemic period and more. Excerpts below-

1. If there is one educational conglomerate in Odisha that has always stood by its ethics and principles, it is Vikash Group of Institutions. How does it feel to see your venture at the pinnacle of success?

The true meaning of success goes far beyond the common understanding of being wealthy, having a lot of tangibles and degrees earned. My understanding of true success in life cannot be measured with the aforesaid factors, but instead with the number of people who are able to live a better and more advanced life because of what I have done to cater to the socio-economic need of the middle-class community through two key sectors- health and education. I always feel satisfied to work in this direction to fulfill the need rather than visualizing the magnitude.

2. Please take us through the background of how Vikash Group of Institutions began. Did you always want to become an edupreneur or you had some other plans?

I always believed, the bigger the problem, the bigger the opportunity. Every social problem has an opportunity and the biggest social problem during those times was quality education and health in our region. From there, my journey began. I had never planned to become an edupreneur but the only thing in my mind was to find a solution or to do something to address the social needs of the locality. Later on, one researcher while working on my life journey used the tag ‘Social entrepreneur’.

3. What were the initial hurdles? How did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was that I didn’t have any educational, financial or familiar family background. But never did I doubt my skills. Winning trust for the venture in different quarters that I can, was the most significant challenge for me as critics used to say, “Ek Dabba Wala kya school chalayege”. But with time, I proved them wrong. Over the period of 18 years, I did encounter a lot of problems once the hospital was set up, right from getting permissions to appointing doctors and managing the human resources.

4. What is the USP of Vikash Group of Institutions that sets it apart from its competitors?

The root of Vikash culture stems from social need. So, each and every one of my team is having a clear perception that we are here to transform the dream of our students to reality. I am a firm believer of value-based approach in all issues pertaining to my institutions. This commitment to set a standard based on values for the quality service has earned the trust of people. This ensures quality education and health service at an affordable cost for the middle class section of the society.

5. Odisha is being seen as the education capital of the East today. Many national and international players have forayed into the education space in the state. Does the competition threaten you? How will it impact the overall education system in the state?

Frankly speaking, we are competing with ourselves. We have never followed others or attempted to pull them down. We are planning to test our own boundaries. The entry of big players will certainly bring out the best in the education sector and augurs well for our system. This will motivate our team to explore more innovative educational methodology in the future.

6. What was the need to open up degree colleges when you already had a bouquet of schools under the Group?

I think there was a dire need to re-design our mental approach towards degree education to create more job-givers than job-seekers. With this idea in mind, I started the UG courses, back in 2008 and was successful in doing that. Thanks to the National Education Policy (NEP), now we can synchronize our program better than earlier. We can build up a better skill-based educational eco-system in tune with self-reliant India for the youth. Now at Vikash, we are having KG to PG programs because of which, many educational internships are also possible for us.

7. The global pandemic has turned our lives upside down. Almost all the sectors, especially the education has been badly hit by the COVID-19. Tell us about the impact that the pandemic had on your Group?

Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has not spared anyone across the globe. We, too, were one of them. It is a huge challenge to deliver to safeguard the interest of each and every member of our extended Vikash family that include employees, students and all stakeholders during such testing times. I am trying my level best to bring many ground-breaking micro-mechanisms to our organization to mitigate the challenge. For instance, mobilizing the administrative human resource from education to health as we need more people to manage for the hospital admin segment.

8. The digital education and virtual classrooms have become the new normal post the pandemic period. How has Vikash Group of Institutions adapted to the new change and how has it impacted the education of your students?

The global pandemic has definitely changed the dynamics of the education sector. But we were quick to adapt to the new normal in the best possible way given the demographic diversity of our student base. Our UG students, under the guidance of faculty members developed two separate portals for online academic programmes i.e. VIDYA and V-learning, to cater the needs of around 15,000 students from KG to PG level. These platforms ensure availability of study materials, video content, etc. that keeps the academic momentum of each and every student going despite all odds.

9. As the foremost leader of the premier educational group, what has been your biggest leadership mantra? What keeps you motivated amid all highs and lows?

Staying positive and being honest by approach is the biggest leadership mantra I swear by. Besides, if you are a keen observer and quick learner who is always on the hunt for innovation and excellence, your leadership skills get wings to fly high in life. The unalloyed smiles on the faces of kids inside the campus, the trust of people on our mgmt. and the ability to handle adverse situations keeps me motivated all the time.

10. What is your long-term vision for Vikash Group of Institutions?

Opening up ‘Vikash University’ is my long-cherished dream which will not only improve the effectiveness of the quality education system in the state but also expand the avenues of opportunities for students across the globe. Besides, I also wish to open a Medical college to impart quality teaching to students aspiring to make it big in the medical field. Apart from that, I also envision providing affordable schooling education in all the districts of the State.

11. What advice would you like to give to the budding and new entrepreneurs who are willing to make a mark in education?

It is important to identify the need before starting any venture. Always be a keen observer and quick learner. And most importantly, do not get carried away with initial success.

12. After tasting success in the education sector, you ventured into the field of health. How did the transition come about?

Western Odisha is deprived of quality healthcare services. Many people used to depend on Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam for their basic healthcare needs. In 2016, we felt there was a vacuum in the health sector and it needs to be addressed soon just as we had taken a bold step to strengthen the education sector way back in 2002. Thus, we decided to give back to the society in the form of Vikash Multi Speciality Hospital, a 150-bedded hospital at Bargarh.

13. What are the healthcare services provided at the doorsteps of the people in Western Odisha?

Our state-of-the-art infrastructure and quality healthcare services are second to none. We provide advanced services like open heart by-pass surgery, cardiac interventional surgery, total Knee replacements, Neonatal care, Critical care, Onco-surgery, Urology and Advance Laparoscopic surgeries among others.

14. You and your team got an opportunity to serve the masses last year when the pandemic was at its peak in the state. Tell us more on that.

We are extremely obliged that the state government gave us an opportunity to serve the masses during such unprecedented times. It was a massive challenge to set up a 100-bedded hospital during the lockdown period of April 2020. With God’s grace, we put in all our resources and efforts and were able to set up the Covid hospital within 15 days on a war-footing basis. It gives us immense pride to say that it was one of the best managed hospitals in the State with a low mortality rate. We received a lot of appreciation from the state government for the efficient management and skillful handling of cases last year.

15. Any future plans for the hospital?

I have a vision of starting a medical college, which will not only help the medical aspirants to pursue their dreams but more importantly the general hospital will be able to cater to the needs of the poor section of the society, where they will get treatment at an affordable price.

By Subhojit Panda