Indian Arrival in Jamaica

THE GLEANER, FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | A5 INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY FEATURE I NDIA AND Jamaica share more than just fraternal bonds of friendship and mutual respect. They share history and deep cultural bonds. The first Indians arrived in Jamaica in search of a better life for themselves and in response to a call to join in the building of a new society that was at that time in the throes of the most far-reaching social, cultural and economic transformation in some 400 years. The despicable, evil institution of the enslavement of Africans on New World plantations, and the failed experiment of apprenticeship, had just ended. The first Indian indentured workers arrived, therefore, as labourers on plantations that were the economic engine propelling the modernisation and advancement of European nations. Jamaica and India share the experience of British political hegemony that has bequeathed a shared system of government, a language and other social customs and norms. They share anti- colonial movements spawned by a deep hunger for freedom, a burning passion for independence. We celebrate in a special way the achievement of our anti-colonial ambitions 75 years ago for India and 59 years ago for Jamaica. In the freedom and promise of their post- colonial societies, the people of the two countries came to share an interdependent search for peace, economic prosperity, health and sustainable development that has provided the bedrock and anchor for trade, functional cooperation, educational and professional exchanges in the present times. In is against this historical backdrop, and in this context of educational and professional cooperation, that I travelled to Jamaica in 1992 to pursue a medical internship and share my expertise, having been trained at the S.V. University School of Medicine in the city of Tirupati in India’s southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh. That internship was to blossom into a lifelong commitment to play a more integral role in the cultural fabric, and economic development of both countries through medical service in Jamaica’s public sector and in private practice for nearly 20 years, and later, through business and entrepreneurship. The business involving the Bioprist Pharmaceuticals and Indies Pharma Jamaica Limited was initially built in 2005 to develop a drug for the prevention of heart attack and stroke and make it available in Jamaica at a reasonable price. Today, we have manufacturing alliances with more than 20 drug makers out of India and approvals for more than 400 drug formulations in Jamaica. Indies Pharma Jamaica Limited is also listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and is currently capitalised at more than J$5 billion. Not only us, but many other Indian pharmaceutical companies also have their offices in Jamaica and make available the best and the most advanced medicines and medical equipment to the Jamaicans at the most competitive prices. Many Indian community doctors have also made Jamaica their home and are offering their services across the island. Recently, these Indian community doctors and the Indian pharmaceutical companies, Glenmark, INDUS, MSN, HealthCorp, Dr Reddy’s and us, partnered with the Indian High Commission to offer free medical consultation and medicines at 13 simultaneous medical camps in nine parishes of Jamaica to mark India’s Republic Day. To ensure that all Jamaicans have access to COVID-19 vaccine shots, the Bioprist Group has utilised its personal and social bonds with ‘Bharat Biotech India Limited’, one of the largest makers of vaccines in the world, to ensure a reliable supply of the India-made COVID-19 vaccine, COVAXIN. In an effort to revive the Jamaican economy, we are also attracting Indian investments to the tune of JM$40 billion for establishing Medical Tourism & Healthcare Institutions in Jamaica. Indian tech companies and the BPOs, Bioprist Knowledge Parks and Hinduja group, to name a few, have also been pioneers in building platforms for business process outsourcing industry, further connecting Jamaica with the global IT sector, and creating thousands of jobs in the process. They continue to innovate with new projects in the making, that will further leverage Jamaica’s unique culture, hospitable climate, ideal geographical location and talented people with the technological skills of India in the area of medical science research and medical tourism. The journey for the Indian enterprises in the medical sector has not been an easy one. Few accomplishments of this magnitude are ever easy. We have fought major battles along the way for the interest of the Jamaican people and the preservation of our valued relationship. We are proud to be beacons of hope, shining brightly the light of success built on 175 years of shared heritage, friendship and love between Jamaica and India. May the light of courage, determination and our fraternal bonds continue to keep our countries and our peoples together as one family “Out of many, one people”, striving for the best and to be examples of all that is good and true in the world. Dr Guna S. Muppuri is the owner of Bioprist and Indies Pharma. He is an entrepreneur and a recipient of the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award. Dr Guna S. Muppuri Indian presence in the Jamaican health sector Proud beacons for 175 years