Among the many persons whom Bangalore can proudly call its own dear ones, biotech entrepreneur and CEO of Biocon India Group, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is definitely one. Forward looking, driven, enterprising and definitely outspoken, Kiran is everything that one would look to in a woman of her stature. She is the India's richest woman.She was educated at the Bishop Cotton Girls School and Mount Carmel College at Bangalore. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Bangalore University in 1973, she went to Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education (now University of Ballarat), Australia to study brewing and qualified as a master brewer in 1974. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw started her professional career as trainee brewer in Carlton & United Beverages in 1974. In 1978, she joined as a Trainee Manager with Biocon Biochemicals Limited in Ireland.
She started Biocon in 1978 collaborating with an Irish firm, floated 2 joint ventures, Biochemizyme and Biocon-Quest India Ltd. With her commitment to individual enterprise, she has held positions in industry councils, including Vice-President, Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka (AWAKE). Rightly, she was awarded Rotary Award for Best Model Employer, National Award for Best Small Industry, and most note worthily, the Padmashri in 1989 from the Government of India.
On her Interview with "The Hindu" she replied a answer to the following question
How tough was the business of breaking the invisible "glass ceiling"? Does it make you unhappy when people insist on calling you a "woman entrepreneur" and evaluate you with a special emphasis on gender?
I have grown beyond that sensitivity of reacting to the term "woman entrepreneur". I now think it will be a matter of pride to be called so as there are now a number of flourishing female entrepreneurs in our country and let's face it, women in business get noticed much more than men!
How tough was the business of breaking the invisible "glass ceiling"? Does it make you unhappy when people insist on calling you a "woman entrepreneur" and evaluate you with a special emphasis on gender?
I have grown beyond that sensitivity of reacting to the term "woman entrepreneur". I now think it will be a matter of pride to be called so as there are now a number of flourishing female entrepreneurs in our country and let's face it, women in business get noticed much more than men!
You have described yourself as "outspoken, impatient, and undiplomatic". But can that work, considering that running a mammoth industry means a constant interaction with politicians and bureaucracy?
I always believe that honest and vocal people do make a positive impact even on politicians and bureaucrats. They may dislike you for some of the things you say but they also respect you for your honesty.
She ranked Ranked 16th in The Billionaire Club, Mazumdar-Shaw is worth Rs 2,107 crore. Another very rich new entrant is Narendar Patni of Patni Computer, ranked 19th with a net worth of Rs 1,758 crore.
