Think Positively

If there’s one thing that’s universal, it’s that every single person in the world is beset by some problem or the other. Just when you think that your issues are unbearable and you can take it no more, you hear stories from other people that are even more heartrending. The thing with problems is that they are always around; if one disappears or is resolved, another is waiting in the wings to take its place. The only way to deal with them is to think positively – there’s nothing that beats the power of positive thinking. But because we’re human and so prone to all faults that are innately human, we have trouble staying free of stress and thinking positively no matter what. It takes conscious effort, but it’s possible to stay positive if you:

1. Count your blessings at the end of every day – don’t focus on the problems you’ve faced that day; rather, think of all the good things that happened and the happiness they gave you.

2. Think of others rather than yourself – when you do things, even the smallest favors, for other people who mean something to you, you feel good about yourself.

3. Be proactive rather than reactive – instead of fretting over a problem and letting it stress you out, focus on how to resolve quickly and effectively. When your mind is busy trying to find a solution, you stop feeling sorry for yourself and start thinking positively.

4. Don’t allow your mind to remain idle – it may be clichéd, but it’s also true that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. So stay busy and keep doing something or the other to prevent negative thoughts from creeping in.

5. Get an hour of exercise every day – even a brisk walk in the morning or evening will do your mental health a world of good.

6. Allow yourself some “me” time – set aside some time every day or every few days for yourself when you get to choose what you want to do; read a book, listen to music, catch up with friends, or just laze around. When your soul is nourished, you find that positive energy flows.

7. Stop negative thoughts before they form completely – if you find yourself becoming depressed because your mind is taking a negative bent, stop those thoughts in their tracks and start consciously thinking of positive things.

8. Spend time with people who love you and make you feel good about yourself – quality relationships make life worth living.

9. Anytime you feel that the weight of your burden is hard to bear, talk to a friend or someone with a sympathetic ear – even if they cannot do anything to help you out, just the fact that you have someone on your side is uplifting enough.

10. And finally, look around you before you start to feel sorry for yourself – there are people in situations that are a hundred times worse than yours, yet they manage to get through each day.

So tell yourself that you have a good life, count your blessings, and learn to stay positive no matter what.

You Can Improve Your Life

How many times have you told yourself that you are going to improve your life, but ended doing nothing? How many times have been dissatisfied with some aspects of your life and vowed to change them, but did not follow through with your decision? What is holding you back, preventing you from improving your life? It is lack of enthusiasm, motivation, desire, determination, willpower and discipline.

Often, especially at the beginning of a new year, people make all kinds of promises to start making changes in their life. This also happens after a reading a book or an article about someone who has attained success or transformed his life. However, the desire to make improvements does not last long, and the enthusiasm quickly wanes away.

So, is it really possible to make positive changes? Yes, it is quite possible, but you have to have a plan, follow certain strategies and act in a certain way.

How can you improve your life?

1. Decide what it is you want to improve. Be specific. Sit down where you can be alone and undisturbed, and make a list of goals. Next, analyze what you have written, to find out whether you really want to achieve the items on your list. You will most probably discover that you don't really want to achieve some of these goals.

2. Write down on another piece of paper the items left in your list, which you really want to achieve. Write them down in the order of their importance for you.

3. Think about a plan, how you can make them come true. Be as practical as possible and use your common sense, intuition, imagination and creativity.

4. Come up with something, even quite minor that you can do right now, such as buying a book with information about your goal, attending a lecture, listening to motivating CDs, looking for courses or workshops that can help you improve your life, or any other step that will take you closer to achieving your goal.

5. Read inspiring books and articles about people who have attained success in the area of your choice. This will enhance your enthusiasm and motivation.

6. Visualize the improvements you want to bring about, as already real and true. Make the mental pictures vivid and alive.

7. Keep your desire, enthusiasm and motivation alive, by thinking often of how you would like your life to look like. Also, think often about the benefits and advantages you will gain by improving your life.

8. Repeat affirmations. They will constantly remind you of your goals and program your subconscious mind to assist you in achieving your aims.

9. Don't let anything deter you from improving your life. Don't give in if there are obstacles, delays or difficulties. Be determined to do what you have decided to do, no matter how much time or effort it takes. This is the way successful people act.

10. Developing strong willpower and self-discipline will endow you with the power to overcome any obstacle and difficulty and make you persistent in your efforts. These two skills can be developed through special techniques and exercises.

11. Have faith in yourself and in your ability to improve your life, you financial condition, your habits and your behavior.

12. Be willing and open to accept change. Don't just say that you want to improve your life. This is not enough. Take action, grab opportunities, and be willing to change your habits and lifestyle.

Remember, making resolutions is not enough; you need to do something about them. If you made resolutions in the past, but did not follow them through, it was because you were not serious enough and your desire was not strong enough.

You can improve your life on all levels, but you need to follow a plan, keep up your enthusiasm, desire and motivation, and don't give in when confronting difficulties and obstacles. It might take some time and effort to improve your life, but this is worthwhile and rewarding goal.

Motivation and How to Get Motivated

Motivation has become a popular word nowadays. There are motivational coaches and speakers, and motivational books and articles. What is it actually, and why do you need it?

Motivation is a driving force. In order to accomplish anything, you need a driving force, otherwise nothing will happen. A wish is not strong enough to make you take action. A wish is a weak desire. Only a strong desire can drive forward, to act and accomplish aims and goals.

In order to get motivated, you need to know exactly what it is that you want, to possess a strong desire, and to be willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish your goal.

More than often there is lack of motivation or only a short-lived one. How many times have you started enthusiastically a weight loss program, began a bodybuilding or aerobics training program or started to learn a foreign language, only to stop after a short while? Few people possess enough willpower and self-discipline to go through to the end with what they begin (this is one of the reasons I have written the book "Will Power and Self Discipline").

It easier to show motivation in connection with a subject that is dear to you. If you desire something, but you don't feel motivated enough to act, this means that the desire is not important enough. To be motivated to take action and do something in respect to your desire, you need to possess a really strong desire.

Motivation has much to do with the emotions and the imagination, which means that if you want to increase it, you have to work on your feelings and imagination.

Tips to increase your motivation:

1. Think, meditate and find out whether you really want to achieve your desire, and whether it is worth the effort and time.

2. Make your goal very clear. Writing it down will help.

3. Think often about your goal or desire.

4. Visualize your goal as already accomplished, and close your mind to contrary thoughts.

5. Read books or articles about the subject of your goal.

6. Read about people who have achieved success.

7. Think often about the benefits you will gain by achieving your goal.

8. Visualize, and think about how you would feel after achieving your goal.

9. Repeat positive affirmations such as: "I have the desire and inner strength to achieve my goal". Repeat this affirmation often, with faith and strong feelings.

10. Start with doing something small concerning your goal. Success in small matters leads to greater success.

Motivation is the powerful engine that moves you towards success and accomplishments in every area.

Spurts of Enthusiasm and Lack of Interest

Do you sometimes feel enthusiastic, motivated and energetic when starting something new, but after some time lose your enthusiasm and interest? This can happen when practicing a self-improvement program, studying a new subject, dieting, exercising or doing anything else. Though you understand the importance of what you are doing, know that it will help you, still, you let laziness set in, as well as lack of motivation, lack of enthusiasm and lack of enough willpower. This makes you feel that what you are doing is a kind of burden.

Often people start practicing concentration exercises, meditation, self-discipline exercises or any other program relating to self improvement or spiritual growth, but not seeing immediate and spectacular results, stop and give up. Everything in life requires some work, effort and time, and self-improvement or spiritual growth methods are no different.

The question is what to do when interest and enthusiasm wanes? How to persevere when there isn't enough willpower and self-discipline? The program or goal might seems worthwhile, but there isn't enough inner strength to pursue them. Self-defeating habits, negative programming, and lack of inner strength stand on one's way.

This is why people buy and read books, attend classes, courses and workshop, and yet find they are not making enough progress. This is why enthusiasm and hopes are replaced by depression, self-pity and lack of self-esteem.

Often, after reading a book or an article, after listening to a lecture or watching a movie, there is a burst of enthusiasm and a high energy level, but this often does not last long.

So what can you do to keep enthusiastic and motivated? Short spurts of enthusiasm or motivation are not enough to accomplish anything of value. You need to keep your desire and inner flame alive and focused on your goal. So what can you do about it?

# Devote 10 minutes a day to reading and thinking about the benefits of what you want to do or accomplish.

# Read every day about people who achieved success by being tenacious and persistent.

# Every day, find a quiet place, and for several minutes visualize yourself acting with enthusiasm and motivation.

# Every success requires dedication, time, perseverance and tenacity. This means that you should not give up quickly. There is a well known story about a gold prospector, who, after digging to some depth did not find anything, gave up and went away. Then someone else came, and after digging just a few inches more, struck gold. You need to be patient and persistent, even if you see no progress, because success might be just a few inches away.

# Keep repeating affirmations that empower you and inflame your enthusiasm and motivation. Appropriate affirmations can be found at this website, as well as at other websites.

# Never condider what you are doing as drudgery. With some thinking and some changes you can turn it into a pleasurable activity.

# Once you decide about anything, go on with it, even after you lose enthusiasm and desire. Don't give up, even if what you are doing seems to be like a burden and drudgery. Don't give up, even if you feel bored. Just keep telling yourself about the benefits of what you are doing, and keep thinking and visualizing how it will be like after accomplishing what you have set to do.

Remember, this is your own life, and you are responsible for it. Why succumb to laziness and negative programming? This might not be easy, and there might be obstacles on the way. Yet, keep thinking about how happy you would be after achieving success, and how your life would change, if you disregard laziness, negative thoughts, negative programming and the fear of hard and sustained work. You need to keep your mind on the goal, no matter what.

Don't rely on spurts of enthusiasm to carry you to your destination. You need to stand up, not give up, and awaken the dormant powers that are within you. Never give up, but keep going on, even if the going is tough and you feel the desire to quit. If you keep going, and use affirmations and visualizations, soon your desire and enthusiasm will grow and the progress will become easier.

What Is Motivation and How to Strengthen It

Motivation is the inner power or energy that pushes toward acting, performing actions and achieving. Motivation has much to do with desire and ambition, and if they are absent, motivation is absent too.

Often, a person has the desire and ambition to get something done or achieve a certain goal, but lacks the push, the initiative and the willingness to take action. This is due to lack of motivation and inner drive.

Motivation strengthens the ambition, increases initiative and gives direction, courage, energy and the persistence to follow one's goals. A motivated person takes action and does whatever it needs to achieve his/her goals.

Motivation becomes strong when you have a vision, a clear mental image of what you want to achieve, and also a strong desire to materialize it. In this situation motivation awakens and pushes you forward, toward taking action and making the vision a reality.

Motivation can be applied to every action and goal. There could be motivation to study a foreign language, to get good grades at school, bake a cake, write a poem, take a walk every day, make more money, get a better job, buy a new house, own a business, or become a writer, a doctor or a lawyer. Motivation is present whenever there is a clear vision, precise knowledge of what one wants to do, a strong desire and faith in one's abilities.

Motivation is one of the most important keys to success. When there is lack of motivation you either get no results, or only mediocre results, whereas when there is motivation you attain greater and better results and achievements. Compare a student who lacks motivation and who hardly studies, to a student who is highly motivated, and who devotes many hours to his studies; they will get absolutely different grades.

Lack of motivation shows lack of enthusiasm, zest and ambition, whereas the possession of motivation is a sign of strong desire, energy and enthusiasm, and the willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve what one sets out to do. A motivated person is a happier person, more energetic, and sees the positive end result in his/her mind.

What can you do to enhance your motivation and awaken the power that will push you toward accomplishing your dreams, small and big? Here are a few suggestions:

   1.Set a goal. If you have a major goal, it would be a good idea if you split it into several minor goals, each small goal leading to your major goal. In this way, you will find it easier to motivate yourself, as you will not feel overwhelmed by the size of your goal and the things you have to do, and the goal would seem more feasible and easier to accomplish.
   2.Understand that finishing what you start is important. Hammer into your mind that whatever you start you have to finish. Develop the habit of going to the finish line.
   3.Socialize with achievers and people with similar interests or goals, since motivation and positive attitude are contagious. Associate with motivated people, who share your interests.
   4.Never procrastinate anything. Procrastination leads to laziness, and laziness leads to lack of motivation.
   5.Persistence, patience and not giving up despite failure and difficulties keep up the motivation to succeed.
   6.Read about the subjects of your interest. This will keep your enthusiasm and ambition alive.
   7.Constantly affirm to yourself that you can and will succeed.
   8.Look at photos of things you want to get, achieve or do.
   9.Visualize your goals with happiness and joy.

Remember, if a certain goal is really important, you need motivation to keep you going.

Lack of Motivation and Enthusiasm

Motivation and enthusiasm manifest as desire and interest, and as a driving force that pushes to take action and pursue goals. Lack of motivation and enthusiasm denotes absence or deficiency in desire, interest and driving force.

Lack of motivation and lack of enthusiasm are two of the main reasons for failure and of living a mediocre life. People lacking in motivation and enthusiasm are usually passive, blame everything and everyone for their circumstances, and often come up with many excuses why they shouldn't or cannot do this or that. On the other hand, a motivated person is energetic and positive, takes action to improve his or her life, and does not give up when there are problems.

Lack of motivation and enthusiasm can show up everywhere, at home, at work, in relationships, in pursuing goals and in everything else. This often brings indifference, unhappiness and dissatisfaction.

What are the reasons for lack of motivation and enthusiasm?

    * Lack of faith in one's abilities.

    * Fear of failure, due to failure in the past.

    * Low self-esteem.

    * Lack of enough interest.

    * Fear of what others might say.

    * The habit of procrastination.

    * Laziness.

    * No awareness of the importance and usefulness of the subject or goal.

    * The feeling or belief that there are other more important things to do.

    * Not having the time to delve into the subject or goal.

    * Being too stressed or nervous.

    * Absence of enough stimuli or incentives.

The above mentioned reasons stifle motivation and enthusiasm, and are only excuses for not acting. However, you learn to overcome and disregard them, by becoming aware of them, acknowledging them, and understanding that you can change the programming of your mind.

Sometimes, people show short bursts of motivation or enthusiasm. They start doing something enthusiastically, but lose interest and motivation after a while, because they find it hard to sustain them.

If you wish to improve your life, you need to awaken motivation and enthusiasm. You need to realize how much you lose by their absence, and how much you gain by having them.

If you are overweight, and you don't have enough inner strength to exercise your body or follow a diet, you should consider strengthening your motivation to lose weight.

If you are a student, and are too lazy to study, you need to strengthen your desire to invest more attention, time and energy in your studies.

If you are lonely and gloomy, but wish to have love and happiness in your life, you need to kindle your desire and enthusiasm to find love. You need to awaken the desire and willingness to put time and effort into searching for someone to share your life with.

You need incentive and drive for following your big dreams, and also for the performance of minor daily tasks and chores, otherwise, laziness, absence of energy and procrastination will set in. Instead of suffering, feeling uncomfortable and passive, it would be much better to produce enough motivation to take action and do things. This will make you feel much better, happy and satisfied.

Procrastination, laziness, indifference and passivity cause unhappiness, weakness and lack of satisfaction, but being enthusiastic, motivated and active bring a sense of joy, strength and power. By getting motivated, you act, do things, take your mind off problems and difficulties and focus on finding solutions and achieving success.

So what can you do to get motivated and more enthusiastic?

Find out where you really need motivation. This means finding out what really matters to you, what actions will bring benefits and improvement into your life and the life of the people around you.

Find what are your real goals in life, but don't forget also to focus your attention on the little things of life, where a little motivation will help too. You will feel better and your life would improve, if you also overcome lack of motivation in small everyday life matters, such as washing the dishes, throwing the garbage, cooking, cleaning, working, reading, writing a letter or just being nice to your neighbors.

This article is intended to bring you general information on motivation and the lack of it. For more information and advice about developing it, I invite you to read the other articles about motivation at this website, by following the links at the top of this page.

Positive thinking

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.

Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results. Yet, it seems that many are becoming attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. This is a subject that is gaining popularity.

It is quite common to hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?

The following story illustrates how this power works:
Allan applied for a new job, but as his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself as a failure and unworthy of success, he was sure that he was not going to get the job. He had a negative attitude towards himself, and believed that the other applicants were better and more qualified than him. Allan manifested this attitude, due to his negative past experiences with job interviews.

His mind was filled with negative thoughts and fears concerning the job for the whole week before the job interview. He was sure he would be rejected. On the day of the interview he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that the shirt he had planned to wear was dirty, and the other one needed ironing. As it was already too late, he went out wearing a shirt full of wrinkles.

During the interview he was tense, displayed a negative attitude, worried about his shirt, and felt hungry because he did not have enough time to eat breakfast. All this distracted his mind and made it difficult for him to focus on the interview. His overall behavior made a bad impression, and consequently he materialized his fear and did not get the job.


Jim applied for the same job too, but approached the matter in a different way. He was sure that he was going to get the job. During the week preceding the interview he often visualized himself making a good impression and getting the job.

In the evening before the interview he prepared the clothes he was going to wear, and went to sleep a little earlier. On day of the interview he woke up earlier than usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to arrive to the interview before the scheduled time.

He got the job because he made a good impression. He had also of course, the proper qualifications for the job, but so had Allan.

What do we learn from these two stories? Is there any magic employed here? No, it is all natural. When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and the voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.

Positive and negative thinking are both contagious.
All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference, and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts, and vice versa. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive people and avoid negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive, and they dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.

Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.

Practical Instructions

In order to turn the mind toward the positive, inner work and training are required. Attitude and thoughts do not change overnight.

Read about this subject, think about its benefits and persuade yourself to try it. The power of thoughts is a mighty power that is always shaping our life. This shaping is usually done subconsciously, but it is possible to make the process a conscious one. Even if the idea seems strange give it a try, as you have nothing to lose, but only to gain. Ignore what others might say or think about you, if they discover that you are changing the way you think.

Always visualize only favorable and beneficial situations. Use positive words in your inner dialogues or when talking with others. Smile a little more, as this helps to think positively. Disregard any feelings of laziness or a desire to quit. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks.

Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. The negative thought will try again to enter your mind, and then you have to replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you choose to look at one of them and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively and ignore negative thoughts.

In case you feel any inner resistance when replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, do not give up, but keep looking only at the beneficial, good and happy thoughts in your mind.

It does not matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. It may take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they do.

Another method to employ is the repetition of affirmations. It is a method which resembles creative visualization, and which can be used in conjunction with it. It is the subject of another article on this website.

The other articles at this website, about the power of concentration, will power, self-discipline and peace of mind also contribute to the development of a positive mind, and are recommended for reading and practicing.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Chairman and Managing director, Biocon limited

As we are celebrating women’s day on 8th March 2012, we dedicate this month’s spark of the corporate section to the entire woman around the world.

Woman, who is not only a successful home maker, is also an entrepreneur and businesses women who is capable of running an enterprise.

We shall be talking about some of the successful women who have not only contributed their efforts in the corporate field, but also inspired many to step into the field.

As we are talking about women power, we shall start with the most successful business women, a born entrepreneur by thought-The best suited and apt lady to kick off this section is none other than, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman and Managing director of Biocon limited (A Biotechnology Company, Bangalore). If the Indian biotechnology industry has a cover girl, it is Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, a voluble 48-year-old who owns Biocon, the country's biggest biotechnology company.

Early Days




Kiran Mazumdar Shaw was born on March 23, 1953 in Bangalore, India.

Kiran has completed her schooling from the city’s Bishop Cotton Girl’s High School (1968). She wanted to join medical school instead took up biology and completed her BSc Zoology Honours course from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore University (1973). She later did her post-graduation in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat College, Melbourne University (1975).

She worked as a trainee brewer in Carlton and United Breweries, Melbourne and as a trainee maltster at Barrett Brothers and Burston, Australia. She also worked for some time as a technical consultant at Jupiter Breweries Limited, Calcutta and as a technical manager at Standard Maltings Corporation, Baroda between 1975 and 1977.

This biotech entrepreneur learnt the importance of self-reliance and personal re-invention at an early age.

Kiran recalls the entry into the brewery field; she recalls how her father inspired her to get into the field.

“Every time I had the feeling that I was at the bottom, I have risen to fulfil a larger design. I remember the first time I felt that way. I was a little girl in school. I knew that my father was a ‘brewer.’ I knew somewhere deep down that my father worked for the liquor industry. It brought me deep embarrassment. I felt he belonged to a tainted profession.

One day, I spoke to him about my sense of shame. He looked me in the eyes and told me that brewing was a science; it was not about getting drunk. He did not stop there. He said: ‘Do not make judgment on things, people, and issues with half information’.

He said there is truth in everything you see around. So, look for everything in its entirety. That was a game-changing moment for me. I started growing out of the low I felt. It may have been a juvenile moment but it became basic to my life’s philosophy."

In the year 1978, she joined Biocon Biochemicals Limited, of Cork, Ireland as a Trainee Manager. In the same year she started Biocon in the garage of her rented house in Bangalore with a seed capital of Rs. 10,000.

That’s how India’s first Bio technology company has started.

Initially, she faced credibility challenges because of her youth, gender and her untested business model. Not only was funding a problem as no bank wanted to lend to her, but she also found it difficult to recruit people for her start-up. With single-minded determination she overcame these challenges only to be confronted with the technological challenges associated with trying to build a biotech business in a country facing infrastructural woes. Uninterrupted power, superior quality water, sterile labs, imported research equipment, and advanced scientific skills were not easily available in India during the time.



She is responsible for steering Biocon on a trajectory of growth and innovation over the years. Within a year of its inception, Biocon became the first Indian company to manufacture and export enzymes to USA and Europe. In 1989, Biocon became the first Indian biotech company to receive US funding for proprietary technologies. In 1990, she upgraded Biocon’s in-house research program, based on a proprietary solid substrate fermentation technology.

In the same year, she incorporated Biocon Biopharmaceuticals Private Limited to manufacture and market a select range of biotherapeutics in a joint venture with the Cuban Centre of Molecular Immunology.

In 2004, she decided to access the capital markets to develop Biocon’s pipeline of research programs. Biocon’s IPO was oversubscribed 32 times and it’s first day at the bourses closed with a market value of $1.11 billion, making Biocon only the second Indian company to cross the $1-billion mark on the first day of listing She entered into more than 2,200 high-value R&D licensing and other deals within the pharmaceuticals and bio-pharmaceutical space between 2005 and 2010 and helped Biocon expand its global footprint to emerging and developed markets through acquisitions, partnerships and in-licensing. Her belief that healthcare needs can only be met with affordable innovation has been the driving philosophy that has helped Biocon manufacture and market drugs cost-effectively.

In 2007-08, a leading US trade publication, Med Ad News, ranked Biocon as the 20th leading biotechnology companies in the world and the 7th largest biotech employer in the world. Biocon also received the 2009 BioSingapore Asia Pacific Biotechnology Award for Best Listed Company.

Today, thanks to her leadership, Biocon is building cutting-edge capabilities, global credibility and global scale in its manufacturing and marketing activities. It has Asia’s largest insulin and statin facilities as also the largest perfusion-based antibody production facilities.

More about Kiran Mazumdar Shaw:

Country of Citizenship      :     India
Residence                          :     Bangalore
Alma                                   :     BSc Zoology (Honours), Bangalore University. PG in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat College, Melbourne University
Occupation                         :     Chairman and Managing director of Biocon limited
Marital status                    :     Married


AWARDS AND HONOURS

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw has received several awards on behalf of Biocon and in her personal capacity as one of India's leading business entrepreneurs.

Biocon:

•     2012:

Biocon wins Best Exhibitor Award in the category of Biocontent and Information at Bangalore India Bio
Biocon wins Golden Peacock National Quality Award

•     2011:

Biocon wins Biospectrum BioPharma Company of the year award

•     2010:

Biocon wins Bio-Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Healthcare Sector at Bangalore India Bio

•     2009:

Biocon among Top 20 Indian companies in Forbes 'Best Under A Billion' list

•     Biocon wins Bio-Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Healthcare Sector at    Bangalore Bio

•     Syngene wins Bio-Excellence Award for outstanding achievement in the Biotech Service Sector at Bangalore Bio
•     Biocon bags IDMA "Best Patent of the year" award
•     BIOMAb EGFR® was voted 'Bio-Spectrum Asia-Pacific Product of the year', 2008
•     Biocon wins prestigious BioSingapore Asia Pacific Biotechnology Award for Best Listed Company

•     2008:

Biocon is ranked among the top 20 global biotechnology companies (Source: Med Ad News, June 2008)

•     Biocon is the 7th largest biotech employer in the world (Source: Med Ad News, June 2008)

•     2007:

Syngene receives "BioServices Company of the Year", BioSpectrum Awards

•     Biocon's BIOMAb EGFR® wins "Product of the Year", BioSpectrum Awards

•     2006:

Best IT User Award in the Pharmaceutical Sector, NASSCOM

•     2004:

India's first and No. 1 biotech company with a global ranking of 16* (Source: Biospectrum July 2004)

•     Biocon in India's top 5 Life Sciences companies (at close of trade as on July 30, 2004)
•     Best Reinvention of HR Function Award, Indira Group, Mumbai
•     Best Employer Of India Award, Hewitt

•     2003:

Bio-Business Award for bio-entrepreneurship, Rabo India

•     Express Pharma Pulse Award for excellence in the pharmaceutical industry

•     2001:

Biotech Product, Process Development and Commercialisation Award, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India

•     2000:

Technology Pioneer Recognition, World Economic Forum

•     1985:

Export Performance Award, Karnataka State Financial Corporation (KSFC)

•     National Award for Best Small Industry, Government of India

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw:

•     2012:

Fierce Biotech, Biotech industry's daily monitor placed Kiran Mazumdar Shaw among 25 most influential people in Biopharma Business

•     2011:

Featured on the Financial Times 'Top 50 Women in Business' list

•     2010:

Featured on the Forbes list of 'The World's 100 Most Powerful Women'

•     Featured on the Financial Times 'Top 50 Women in Business' list
•     Named among TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world

•     2009:

Honoured with 'Nikkei Asia Prize' for Regional Growth

•     Honoured with 'Express Pharmaceutical Leadership Summit Award' for Dynamic Entrepreneur

•     2008:

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from the Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

•     Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Glasgow

•     2007:

Honoured with the, 'Veuve Clicquot Initiative For Economic Development For Asia' award

•     Honorary Doctor of Technology, University of Abertay, Dundee ( UK )

•     2005:

Padmabhushan Award , one of India's highest civilian honours, from the President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

•     Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
•     The Indian Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award
•     Honorary Doctorate from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), in recognition of outstanding achievements in biotechnology and industrial enzymes
•     Rotary Award for Corporate Citizenship
•     Business Leader of the Year Award - Biotechnology, Chemtech-Pharma Bio Awards

•     2004:

Honorary Doctorate of Science from Ballarat University, in recognition of pre-eminent contribution to the field of biotechnology

•     Business Woman Of The Year Award, The Economic Times

•     2003:

Alumni High Achiever Award, Australian Alumni Association

•    2002

Karnataka Rajyotsava Award for pioneering biotechnology in India, the Government of Karnataka

•     Best Entrepreneur: Healthcare & Life Sciences Award, Ernst & Young
•     Sir M. Visvesvaraya Memorial Award for contribution to biotechnology, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI)

•     1999:

Woman of the Year Award, International Women's Association, Chennai

•     1998:

Golden Jubilee Felicitation, Mount Carmel College, Bangalore

•     1989:

Padmashri for pioneering biotechnology in India, Government of India

•     1987:

Outstanding Young Person Award, Jaycees India

•     1983:

Best Small Scale Industry in Karnataka Award, Rotary Club, Karnataka

•     Best Model Employer Award, Rotary Club, Karnataka
•     Outstanding Contribution Award, AWAKE

•     1982:

Best Woman Entrepreneur Award, National Institute of Marketing Management, India

Quotes by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw:

•     "Today anything can be done - we have the techniques"
•     'Every time I had the feeling that I was at the bottom, I have risen to fulfill a larger design"
•     "This is a huge sense of responsibility. It is a very privileged position. But it also goes hand in hand with responsibility. I do realise that I am a role model and I do stand for many values and value system that such a position holds."
•     "When I started Biocon, no one had heard of biotechnology. Banks and financial institutions were wary of funding an inexperienced woman. But my unswerving faith in myself and perseverance made all the difference."
•     "If I can do it, anyone can."