As gulf news celebrates its 30th anniversary, we find out what the prominent people in the UAE think about the progress the nation and the newspaper has made
Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty, popularly known as Dr B.R. Shetty, first set foot in the UAE in 1973. A trained pharmacist from India, he was quick to spot the opportunity in the field of medicine and established the NMC Hospital in Abu Dhabi, the first of its kind in the country, with branches in Dubai and Sharjah following.
Today, these hospitals along with others run by the NMC Group in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain treat more than one million patients a year. Shetty runs the operations of the group as managing director and chief executive officer.
Hitting the jackpot
Shetty is a prime example of a person striking the jackpot when preparation meets opportunity. But he says his success in the UAE wouldn't have been possible if the country's leadership hadn't supported his endeavours.
"In 1975, I started New Medical Centre with a one-room clinic," Shetty said. "To my fortune, I was in the right place, at the right time, with the right opportunity! Thirty years ago, under the benevolence of the Rulers, while the government was providing free medical service for all, we started a private clinic. Charging for the facilities then was indeed a challenge. From a clinic, NMC expanded into a hospital, which further led to the expansion and development of speciality hospitals."
Thereafter the organisation diversified into hospitality business, establishing 4-star luxury hotels and apartments in Dubai. "To further the growth in healthcare, we started operations in pharmacy, which opened our doors to distribution, bringing in renowned and trusted brands to the UAE as agencies. After years of studying distribution, as part of a backward integration strategy, we decided to venture into manufacturing of quality and economical pharmaceutical and FMCG products," Shetty added.
Today the NMC is also a supplier of scientific/medical equipment and foodstuffs and has a strong presence in financial services, pharmaceutical manufacturing, advertising and public relations, gold and diamond jewellery business, real estate, information technology and engineering projects and services.
Shetty has been a witness to the changing landscape in the UAE. "The country, once a sprawling desert land, has been miraculously transformed into a green parkland. Today, over 120 million trees have been planted in the emirate of Abu Dhabi alone," said Shetty.
Preferred daily
Asked whether Gulf News has had any impact on his life, Shetty said that it has been and still is "my paper of preference". "I read Gulf News for news and the stories behind the news. It helps me to stay updated with the industry happenings. Gulf News has been a strong support in my life, and I truly appreciate their commitment to being unbiased critics."
Shetty said Gulf News has helped him stay well informed about day-to-day developments and economic and commercial trends. "I have business interests across the world. It is important for me to know the news across continents," he says. "We use Gulf News as a medium for advertising campaigns for the various business sectors of NMC. When information is available to anyone at the push of a button, a turn of the dial, and now, the click of a mouse, Gulf News has managed to continue to uphold its mass appeal for the people of the UAE, including myself."
