Infinite Vision  (English, Hardcover, Shenoy Suchitra)

Published in the year 2012, Infinite Vision: How Aravind Became The World’s Greatest Business Case For Compassion is a stunning documentary that revolves around Aravind, the world’s leading eye care provider.

Summary Of The Book

Infinite Vision: How Aravind Became The World’s Greatest Business Case For Compassion is dedicated to Aravind, which is a non-profit organization in India that has a goal of bringing about a cure for blindness worldwide. Albeit a lofty goal, Dr. Venkataswamy, founded this organization after retiring in 1976, when he was 58 years old. His inspiration was Sri Aurobindo, who was among India’s legendary philosophers. Aurobindo’s reflections on mankind’s transience has had a tremendous impact on many thinkers, including Dr. V.

Dr. V set a goal to give sight to 12 million people across India, who suffer from preventable blindness. He desired to perform surgery for cataracts, which is an ailment that accounts for 48 per cent of the cases of blindness worldwide, but 60 per cent in India. When he started out, no bank was willing to lend him money, citing his age as a reason for their disapproval. Bank officials also told him that they couldn’t fund his business model, as Dr. V wanted to operate for free on those who couldn’t pay him back. This led to him to take a rather drastic step of selling his family’s jewelry, thereby, launching the first 12-bed hospital in the city of Madurai.

Dr. V gave the patients an option whether they would like to pay or not. He then decided against ever asking for a loan, planning to run as a Trust that was responsible for the operations, with surplus funds directed towards expanding these operations. Presently, there are seven major Aravind hospitals in the country, with more than 50 vision care centers. Aravind also works with eye hospitals in more than 30 countries.

Aravind’s stand against conventional business logic turned in its favor, as the organization is now the leading eye care provider worldwide. The authors move beyond the facts to the driving force behind the organization and its founder.

About The Authors

Suchitra Shenoy is a social worker and author.

Shenoy completed her degrees from the London School of Economics and Brandeis University. She entered into the social sector due to her concern towards economic inequalities. Shenoy has been involved in healthcare, education, financial services, and housing. She co-founded the Inclusive Markets group at the Monitor Group, which is an international consulting firm. Shenoy is also a part of the advisory team at the Youth 4 Jobs Foundation. She has been invited to speak at the Stanford University’s d School, the Columbia University Business School, Deloitte Research, and the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee.

Pavithra K. Mehta is an author and filmmaker.

Mehta obtained her degrees from Stella Maris College in English Literature, and finished her degree in broadcast journalism from the Asian College of Journalism. She has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations that deal with development, health care, volunteerism, and education. Presently, Mehta is a board member of CharityFocus and the Aravind Eye Foundation.