From Rs 7 Train Pass to Rs 5,000 Crore Diagnostics Empire: Thyrocare Founder's Inspiring Journey
Dr A Velumani, the visionary founder of Thyrocare, attributes his remarkable success not to privilege or connections, but to the profound lessons learned during years of financial hardship and disciplined study on a railway platform. In a heartfelt reflection on his formative student years, he reveals how poverty became his greatest advantage, quietly shaping the scientist and entrepreneur who would eventually build a diagnostics company valued at Rs 5,000 crore.
The College Choice Driven by Affordability
Long before Thyrocare became a household name in medical diagnostics, Velumani was a determined student navigating the challenges of affordable education. Between 1974 and 1978, he studied at Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya in Coimbatore, a decision made entirely based on financial constraints. While most city colleges demanded hefty fees ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 along with hostel expenses of Rs 200 per month, his chosen institution offered education at Rs 300 in fees with accommodation costing just Rs 75 monthly.
Even these reduced amounts proved difficult for Velumani, whose mother was the sole earning member of the family with a daily income of only Rs 3. To manage expenses, he stayed at a free government Harijan hostel in the city, demonstrating early the frugality that would become a cornerstone of his success.
The Railway Platform That Became a Classroom
Daily transportation presented another significant hurdle. With bus rides costing 60 paise one way, amounting to nearly Rs 30 monthly, Velumani needed a more economical solution. He found it in the railways through a student quarterly train pass that cost just Rs 7 – a decision he now recognizes as life-shaping.
His days followed a strict, disciplined rhythm. He would catch the 5:50 am train, arriving in the city by 6:25 am, and return on the 6:10 pm service. With classes starting at 9 am and ending early, he found himself with several hours daily with nowhere to go. Rather than wasting this time, Velumani transformed the railway platform into his personal study hall.
"So what did I do?" Velumani recalled in his reflection. He dedicated those hours to studying Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, sitting on the platform and immersing himself in academic pursuits. He estimates spending approximately "1000 days and 6000 man hours" with foundational scientific concepts from Avogadro's law to Ohm's law and the Pythagorean theorem.
Sacrifice and Family Support
Behind this extraordinary discipline lay genuine sacrifice and family support. Determined not to add to his mother's financial burden, Velumani endured extreme hardship during his student years. At one particularly challenging point, his mother sold her four bangles to pay his college fees – a sacrifice that remains etched in his memory and continues to inspire his values.
Reflecting on his journey from railway platform to corporate boardroom, Velumani distilled his experience into four guiding principles: "Patience, Focus, Frugality and Discipline." He believes these values, forged through adversity, lead to steady and lasting success rather than quick, unsustainable gains.
A Poignant Return and Online Resonance
Years after establishing Thyrocare as a diagnostics powerhouse, Velumani returned to that same railway platform with his wife, wanting to show her "how a railway platform made a Scientist." This symbolic gesture highlighted how humble beginnings can transform into extraordinary achievements through determination and hard work.
The entrepreneur's story resonated deeply online, with readers recognizing it as more than just a narrative about poverty. One social media user commented, "This is not a story of poverty. It is a story of purpose. Very inspiring, sir." Another noted, "Intelligence and willingness for hard-work are such sterling qualities. You are a fantastic human being to thank your impossibly difficult conditions that forged you."
A third observer emphasized the broader implications, writing, "Wonderful story. We have to make sure the next generation is able to access education, transport and hostel for free at the point of use."
From Platform Study to Professional Success
The relentless focus developed during those railway platform study sessions eventually helped Velumani secure a position at the prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, providing him with scientific experience that would later inform his entrepreneurial venture. This professional opportunity, combined with the values cultivated during his student years, laid the groundwork for what would become Thyrocare – today valued at approximately Rs 5,000 crore.
Velumani's journey serves as a powerful testament to how constraints can foster creativity, how discipline can overcome disadvantage, and how humble beginnings can give rise to extraordinary achievements. His story continues to inspire students, entrepreneurs, and anyone facing challenges, proving that with the right mindset and values, even a railway platform can become the foundation for building an empire.
