Interview

Dr . Praveen Khu llar “Goa has emerged as a hub for pharmaceutical companies. It is the sunrise industry of the State”

President of Goa Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Association speaks about his term in office; and the impact of COVID-19 on the pharma business in the State

What is the overview of the pharma industry in Goa? Pharmaceutical industry in Goa produces 12% of the total medicines manufactured in India; and about 70% of their produce is exported to the most developed countries in the world; while 30% is consumed in the domestic market.

Pharmaceutical products worth `11,830 crore were exported from Goa (as in 2018-19) while almost worth `5,070 crore were produced for domestic consumption.

About 54 pharma manufacturing units in Goa are currently licensed, employing over 20,000 people.

The pharmaceutical segment has established its concrete presence in Goa and received approvals from regulated bodies like US FDA, UK MHRA etc.

Goa is strategically located with good infrastructure facilities with airport, a seaport, connectivity by road network and other amenities. Also, locally manufactured equipment by ancillary units are being used in these pharma industries.

Well known Indian pharmaceutical companies have invested in Goa over the last 20 years in building world-class manufacturing facilities.

With better infrastructure and logistics facilities and government support, the companies are expanding their operations.

How has the industry grown over the years? The pharmaceutical industry in Goa commenced in the late 1960s with the establishment of pharmaceutical companies such as Cosme Farma Laboratories of CMM Group

Dr Praveen Khullar

comprised of Carter Wallace, Colfax and Leukoplast. The next pharmaceutical company, DCI, was established by Ramnath G Kare, followed by Merit & Geno Pharma.

Initially, the growth of the pharmaceutical industry was very slow in Goa because of a number of reasons such as lack of appropriate infrastructure, inadequate availability of industrial land, power and water supply, shortage of skilled labour, wants of technical manpower beside lack of any tax holiday to attract major investments. .

The major growth in the pharmaceutical sector in Goa started in late 1990s. The five-year tax holiday for Goa announced in the Union Budget in 1993, which was further extended to the period up to 31-3-2004, gave further impetus to the development of the pharmaceutical sector in Goa. From 1995 onwards, an all-round development took place and today pharmaceutical industries have over 54 licensed units employing approximately 20000 people directly and indirectly.

The pharmaceutical industry in Goa has gradually emerged as a major component in the industrial development of the State.

Over time, the State has attracted a large number of pharmaceutical units to set up their manufacturing base.

Several small, medium, large and joint ventures in pharmaceuticals have come to be established in Goa, during the last 30 years or so creating the scenario, as it exists today. Goa has emerged as a hub for pharmaceutical companies. It is the sunrise industry of the State. Goa has been able to attract big Indian and multinational pharmaceutical companies between the decade of 1993-2003.

The magnitude of the industry has catalyzed a number of ancillary and service units in and around Goa. This eases the availability of most types of packaging material, consumables and allied services necessary for the smooth running of the industry.

For a small state, Goa has a considerable number of pharma units. Some really big names and global brands. What do you think has attracted them to the State? - Central location and good connection through road, rail, sea and air. - Established base for the pharmaceuticals industry. - Supportive regulatory environment (State FDA). - High rate of literacy & English speaking population. - Emerging destination for knowledge-based industries such as biotechnology and IT. - International airport and good connectivity to major cities of India. - Well-developed social, physical and industrial infrastructure. - Industry friendly policies, approachable administrative bodies and government’s focus on ‘ease of doing business’. - Availability of skilled manpower. - Pollution free environment.

What does the GPMA aim towards? GPMA aims towards: - Bringing together all Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Goa together, on one platform. - Understand the issues of all its members and present them across to the Government and other stakeholders. - working with other associations and NGOs for mitigating pharma related issues and betterment of health of local community.

- To bring to all its members, information on any new legislation through trainings/ webinars. - High quality medicine providers to world at affordable cost. - Innovation and newer technologies to cater unmet needs of patients. - Ensuring that Goa becomes a leading pharmaceutical hub for world market with best-in-the-class pharmaceutical products.

What are the main areas of concern for the industry at the moment? • Uninterrupted electricity supply to industries. • Quality water supply to industries. • Skill development & training. • Improvement in public transportations for shift works.

Is the government doing enough to help the industry vis-a-vis the revenue that pharma earns for the State? Government is providing good support to pharmaceutical industry and our expectations are that Government shall further focus on high quality uninterrupted electricity and water supply which is the lifeline to industry.

Since, pharmaceutical domain is knowledgebased, the industry needs government facilitation in terms of implementing policies to forge strong i n d u s t r y - a c a d e m i a collaboration to provide high skilled manpower.

The GPMA is constituted by varying interests. You have the MNCs and big pharma players along with small and medium manufacturers. How is it to strike a balance and push for the industry demands as varied? Irrespective of the size of their respective establishments, all members of GPMA have equal stake in collaboration and support to share their concerns and hand holding. Government is providing good support to Pharmaceutical Industry and our expectations are that Government should further focus on high quality uninterrupted electricity and water supply which is lifeline to industry

GPMA has demonstrated very high level of professional approach to continue supply of essential medicines during this difficult period and it has been only possible due to the teamwork between small and big pharmaceutical companies.

Sharing experiences and concerns openly on routine basis, support and collaboration with Government and administration is managed quite well to have minimum disruptions of operations.

What is the rough estimate of local talent employed within the industry? What are your plans to have more people from the state to look at pharma as a career option? Pharmaceutical companies have a strong work force – around 20000 people, directly and indirectly, are working in the sector. Considerable proportion of this workforce is local. There is a good scope for having a career in pharmaceutical industry as its employs all types of talents like scientists, engineers beside commercial team members.

The objective of industryacademia collaboration is to focus on skill building required for the industry and to empower local talent. With this, local talent will be equipped to plan their career in pharmaceutical industry in the State. pharma sector in Goa? Covid -19 has resulted in unprecedented slowdown across world and Indian pharmaceutical companies have faced several challenges related to supply chain and availability of skilled manpower. During the lockdown period, very close co-operation amongst GPMA with Government and entire administration was managed efficiently. Providing travel permits and other approval in short time despite several operational constraints resulted in smooth manufacturing and uninterrupted supply of essential medicine. There was a 24x7 support and availability of key stakeholders in industry and Government agencies to manage evolving risks, difficulties in resuming supply chain and inputs in initial phase of the lockdown.

However, with great deal of agility and risk management through standard processes and precautions, the pharmaceutical industry in Goa did a great job to supply medicines across the country and abroad. The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing and efforts to manage risks and not disrupt supply of medicines is key focus of all pharma manufacturers in Goa.

What is your opinion on a vaccine rolling out this year? There have been several organizations who are working on bringing a vaccine to combat COVID19, clinical trials of 2-3 companies are ongoing in the country. Internationally, several big pharmaceutical companies are working on vaccine trials. We may expect vaccine availability quite soon, once these clinical trials are completed

camp us ‘Ed-Tech Essentials for New Normal’ webinar organized by GIM

Prof Ajit Parulekar, Prof P. D. Jose, Prof Pravat Surya Kar and Prof Sebastian Morris Education as we know it, has explained witnessed a drastic change. Prof P. D. Jose of IIM-B The pandemic has accelerated opined that this new rethe journey of including imagined learning will and the use of technology in the should continue even after education system and has the pandemic ceases to exist. fast-forwarded the progress “Learning in the future will be in the education sector by five facilitated by technology that years in a very short span of will play the role of a mediator. a few months according to Learning centers of the future Ajit Parulekar, Director, Goa will not be confined to the Institute of Management. classroom and education will Parulekar was in conversation be unbundled. Students will with academicians on the be able to learn anywhere and theme ‘Ed-Tech Essentials credential driven models will for New Normal’, at a recently shift towards competency and held webinar organised by the mastery based models,” he B-school. said.

The online discussion was Prof Sebastian Morris of an attempt to enable cross IIM-A focused his thoughts border academic deliberations on the challenges and the with stakeholders on need to enhance value in the adaptation of new the online teaching mode. technologies in higher “It’s easier to communicate education. Prof Pravat Surya online when a prior rapport Kar, Associate Professor at has been established between GIM moderated the session a student and a teacher. You which also included Prof P. D. know the individual. But Jose, Chair, MOOCs Initiative when the mode of teaching & Strategy, IIM-Bangalore, is purely online, building this and Prof Sebastian Morris, rapport becomes difficult for Economics, Public Systems, both the parties. It is difficult IIM- Ahmedabad. to gauge body language and

The speakers agreed assess the non-verbal means that while the capability of of communication,” he amalgamating technology explained. He also stressed on with education had always the fact that there is a need for been there, it was never put to an unwavering commitment test until now. to attention when using this

Setting the tone for the mode. discussion, Dr Ajit Parulekar The discussion witnessed shared his experience of a spectrum of participation teaching online and the from academicians, learning that he has grasped corporates, students and from the lectures that he faculty from across the has conducted. “Advantages country. The participants of online teaching methods posed questions on digital include the use of analytics, inclusion and challenges with greater class participation, technology, impact of body response statistics and the language, lack of eye-contact ease with which pop-quizzes in online classes and stackable can be conducted,” he learning Author: Myra Silveira Luso Goan Culinary Cook Book with her father, she released the Luso-Goan Culinary Cookbook. The book is a compilation of popular Goan dishes which are prepared and served at the restaurant. She dedicated this cookbook to her parents – for their hard work, sacrifice and perseverance in running Horseshoe Bar & Restaurant for the last 40 years and a special thanks to her husband Eshan for his never ending support and encouragement. The cookbook showcases some of the well-known and Fashion enthusiast, Myra popular Goan Portuguese Silveira, has released a Luso recipes. She has tried to Goan Culinary Cook Book, in incorporate both, vegetarian collaboration with her father, as well as non-vegetarian Chef Jose Vasco Silveira, dishes. The cookbook on the 40th anniversary contains about 60- 62 recipes. of Horseshoe Bar and Most of the recipes in the Restaurant. book are served at Horseshoe

Myra is the owner and Bar & Restaurant. proprietor of SÔSAS, Goa’s Myra came upon her first designer store, which father’s diary filled with she inherited from her uncle recipes and notes and on Abelio De Sousa, when she reading it, realized what a was 18 and reading for her 2nd treasure it was. “As the 40th year B.Com. She expanded it anniversary of the restaurant to its present status of 30 plus was approaching I decided designers from all over India. to compile some of his most She loves to travel, a passion popular dishes as a tribute she shares with her husband, to him. Today, Goan food Eshan Kolmekar. is mostly forgotten and

Myra speaks about her restaurants and people are father, Chef Vasco Silveira. opting for Chinese and Indian “My father was born in cuisine,” she says. Malange- Angola, Portuguese Myra had to do a lot Africa and came to Goa of research as most of in 1977. He fulfilled his Chef Vasco’s notes were in dream of owning his own Portuguese and with his help restaurant; Horseshoe Bar & managed to get the basics. It Restaurant (O Ferradura), on took her a few months to put 16th April 1980. His passion everything together given for authentic Goan cuisine that Goan cuisine is almost teamed with his love for forgotten. Portuguese flavours fuelled Besides her father, her his journey for the past 40 mother and grandmother also years. His secret for success provided her a lot of support is: “The most important thing and information regarding I look for in this business is authentic Goan Portuguese passion.” recipes, while her husband

Myra grew up watching provided her the moral and her father cook and technical support. experiment with different Myra shares a message to spices, cuisines and styles. aspiring authors. “Enagage in On the occasion of the 40th research – it’s the backbone of anniversary of Horseshoe Bar any project or venture” & Restaurant, in collaboration www.businessgoa.in

toastmasters Public speaking with confidence

Public speaking” is a terrorizing experience for almost everyone. Toastmasters builds a conducive environment for members to overcome this fear and communicate with ease.

Founded by Ralph Smedley in 1905 and now headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, the organization’s membership exceeds 3,64,000 in more than 16,200 clubs in 145 countries. conquering the fear of public fun,” says Toastmaster Toastmasters works on 4 core speaking but also forges an P a d h m a n a b h a n values: Integrity, Respect, everlasting bond. V., academician Service and Excellence. Variety is the spice of at Goa Institute of

Any person who walks life.This proverb comes to Management. through the doors of life at the club. Even though In today’s International Centre Goa to the members belong to era, corporates attend the club’s meeting is different age groups and look for eloquent drawn immediately to the professions like academicians, communication along positive ambience that the research scientists, doctors, with niche knowledge. club members create. The corporate professionals, Establishing networks is a fellowship and learning spirit students and home makers, key ingredient for a profitable leave an ever lasting impact. the amalgamation of diverse business.Having good Launched on 22nd February, perspectives create a nexus of leadership qualities succour 2013, ICG Toastmasters club brilliant ideas. The minimum in climbing the corporate is one of the best performing age to join a Toastmasters ladder. At Toastmasters, every clubs in Goa and has about 30 club is 18. club has an Excom committee members. “I was a very shy, reserved which further inculcates

The regular club meetings person but Toastmasters has leadership qualities. follow a time bound format helped me get over my stage “My club has given me an having Prepared Speeches, fright and has enhanced my opportunity to experiment Impromptu Table Topics communication skills. I enjoy with and enhance my and Expert Evaluations to the camaraderie in our club rusted communication enrich speaking, listening and have made friends for skills, because as most of and observation skills. Every lifetime,” says Toastmaster the homemakers I always meeting has a theme and Marcia Fernandes, who is one thought I really don’t need to a set of role players for its of the most experienced and be an efficient communicator smooth functioning. Apart active club members. and least of all a leader. from the regular meetings, “I have seen 18 year Today, I can’t believe myself the club also conducts olds as well as 80 year olds and get amazed by my own special meetings on different participate in our club development from a shy, occasions such as Diwali, meetings to groom their skills. introvert homemaker to the Independence Day, Teachers’ Toastmasters curriculum president of my club. I owe Day and Landmark meetings. is well designed and tested it all to my club members The annual Christmas to bring out a confident and my mentor. This really meeting is a spectacle of joy speaker. More importantly, is a place Where Leaders Are and delight! To cement the ICG club is a positive and Made” believes the President bonding between members, engaging place with lots of of the ICG Club, Toastmaster a Picnic meeting is organised Neeru Khera. every year. The Pathways

When a new member Learning Programme joins the club, his/her of Toastmasters is both learning needs are assessed, communication oriented and he/she is assigned an and leadership oriented, experienced mentor, to help thus enabling the member them find their speaking style to use their learnings at and boost their confidence. toastmasters, to further The mentor – mentee their career. relationship not only helps in Post the pandemic,

‘virtual has become the new real’. The meetings are now conducted online.Even though there are challenges , the enthusiasm of the club has not dropped. In fact, the club now has participation from Toastmasters around the world. Online meetings have opened the opportunities for interacting and attending

meetings all over the globe.

Another aspect of the Toastmasters learning programme is the annual contests, which are International Speech, Humorous Speech, Table Topics and Evaluation contests.

The club members have also been participating in all the contests every year.

“Personally ICG Toastmasters Club has made me a better team worker, leader and organiser. It helps me to recognise my areas of improvement and gives me a chance to work with other colleagues to see them achieving heights in communication and team work skills,” are the words of Dr. Ashish Srivastava, practising psychiatrist.

As humans, we strive for personal connect. Communication is the basis for better professional growth and improved relationships. The start is what stops most people, but to build a legacy all we need to do is take the first step.Take your first step by observing a meeting at our club. For details contact: President Neeru Khera on 9326127797 or V.P. Public Relations Sertorio Noronha on 9822480899