Once not offered any job because she was a woman, here is how Kiran Mazumdar Shaw started her Rs 50,000 crore

First Published Aug 18, 2020, 1:24 PM IST

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, the head of one of India’s leading biotech firm Biocon, has been tested for COVID-19. She tweeted and informed about the same. She said in her tweet that her coronavirus test report has come positive. She had mild symptoms of the disease, so she decided to get herself tested. The Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw’s life has been full of struggles. It will come as a shock to know that she started Biocon with an initial investment of mere Rs 1,200. Today the firm is valued more that Rs 5,000 crores. Let us know her success story 

(File Photo)
 

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Kiran Mazumdar Shaw has been on Forbes listThe Forbes magazine had included Kiran Mazumdar in its list of 100 most powerful women. But there was a time when, many firms had refused to offer a job to her. She then decided to start her business and invested Rs 1,200. Today her firm’s value is more than Rs 50,000 crores.(File Photo)
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Had studied in AustraliaBorn in a middle-class family in Bengaluru, Kiran Mazumdar studied business at Australia’s Federation University. In 1978 she completed her Masters in fermentation sciences.(File Photo)
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She wasn’t offered any job in IndiaKiran Mazumdar was only 25 when she returned to India after finishing her Masters in fermentation sciences. She applied for jobs in liquor manufacturing companies but being a woman she was not offered any job.(File Photo)
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She leaves for ScotlandAfter this, Kiran Mazumdar left for Scotland. Scotland has many world-famous liquor manufacturing companies. There she worked as a brewer. While working in Scotland something happened which made her establish Biocon.(File Photo)
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How did she start Biocon?While working in Scotland she met Irish businessman Leslie Auchincloss. Leslie was keen to set up a pharmaceutical business in India. Impressed with Kiran’s work, Leslie asked her to be his partner and lead the business in India.(File Photo)
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Kiran accepts the offerKiran Mazumdar had no experience in this field. So initially she was bit circumspect of the idea but Leslie convinced her to take care of the business in India. After that she started Biocon in 1978. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw has been offered numerous awards for her work. The Indian government has honoured her with Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Recently she was also honoured with Australia’s highest civilian award The Cross of Valour too.(File Photo)
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