The need for excellence, for an improved India

Dr Mahesh Reddy, executive director of Nova Medical Centres Pvt Ltd, and Sridhar G, managing director, Ace Creative Learning talks about an improved India...

Mahesh Reddy: Though I am from medicine and you are into education, we seem to have similar goals, which is to expand and maintain our standards. How did you start Ace Creative Learning?
Sridhar G: I studied in IIT Kharagpur and later, moved to the US for my PhD. I was there for 10 years and the experience I had in the country was wonderful. However, I wanted to come back to India. Though I worked in a couple of MNCs, I always wanted to start something on my own. I found out that there is always an acute shortage of tutors in India. Keeping that in mind, we started Ace Creative Learning. Tell us about your journey?

MR: Even my journey into medicine is similar to yours. I went to UK for my Masters and had a fabulous experience. Medical professionals are every where, but very few concentrate on a particular area. I decided to become a shoulder surgeon. Unlike in our country, they have universities which let you super specialise. They have a better system in the healthcare sector as well.
SG: That’s true. Though the government is trying its best to improve, there are few glitches. What do you think is lacking here?

MR: I think every locality should have its clinic. One can’t afford to travel to find a specialised doctor almost every other day. There should be a one-window system in every locality where record is maintained. This way, it helps us to have a more transparent system. I am sure you must also be facing problems in your field of work as well...
SG: Undoubtedly! Like I mentioned earlier, there is a shortage of tutors today as nobody wants to become a teacher and therefore, it’s difficult for us to expand to the rural sectors. In order to solve this problem, we are planning to appoint local co-ordinators from each area to teach the students. We are also planning to start a new project where we get housewives to support education as moderators. We will  give iPads to the moderators for them to read up on the necessary subjects. 

MR: That’s a fabulous idea! Even we are facing problems in reaching to the rural mass. For a lower-class person to travel to a large city can be very taxing. Instead, we can send one doctor to visit the villages every week. Meanwhile, the local doctors can provide the necessary support. Whether it is education or health, there is definitely a need for more such centres of excellence.