One idea, one plan and a successful journey

An idea can not only change one's life but others' lives too, this proved true in the case of Dr Srinubabu Gedela, CEO of Pulsus & Omics International Private Limited. The idea of opening free access journals made him a successful entrepreneur and helped many new scholars to secure their PhDs without any difficulties. 

Srinubabu first posed the question about open access scientific literature to the world delegates while he was receiving the young scientific award in Seoul, South Korea in 2007. 

The question made scientists think and they immediately knew that the issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible. He debated that scholars from developing countries were not able to access scientific literature and shared his experiences during his PhD days. His own bitter experiences in getting research literature prompted him to start the initiative to get free access to the scientific literature. 

He relates, “The struggle phase of my life made me strong enough to face the problem head-on and find remedies to the solution. I used to spend the maximum time to get an idea on thesis to start my project and I faced a lot of difficulties to get journals for reference as a student from a rural background.”

“The struggle and want for knowledge were main causes for the emergence of the idea,” he added. To cater information in the field of biology studies, science and technology, Srinubabu launched Omics International Private Limited (OIPL) in 2007 with a sole aim of providing a platform for scholars to have open access to research. He posted his first article in April 2008 for the journal on proteomics and bioinformatics.

Dr Srinubabu was born and brought up in Allena village of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh. He started his education in his hometown. He was one of the brightest students at school and that helped him fetch a seat in the Andhra University for B Pharmacy in 2000. Later, he did his M Tech with specialisation in Biotechnology in 2006 and was awarded PhD for his work on early-stage identification of diabetes in 2008.

Dr Gedela said that students should learn management skills along with academics. Education is the only way for one to make a correct choice regarding their future, but the skills inculcated during those said academic years are important for one to succeed in life. “After my intermediate, I joined B pharmacy which was totally different from my education. I studied in Telugu medium till 12th class but when I started my graduation I learned English, in Bioscience terminology. 

I used to spend 10 to 15 hours in the library to understand the terminology. I think that made me strong in academics which paved way for me from Andhra University to Stanford University where I completed my post-doctorate. As far as I am concerned idea, planning and management skills are the keys to success. Strive and struggles of a student are the starting steps for a bright future,” he said.

Dr Srinbabu is not only a successful businessman but also a philanthropist. In an effort to give back to the society that shaped his life and career, Dr Gedela adopted seven villages in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh and is providing the necessary infrastructure to develop the villages. He asserts that education is the foundation for the development of a society and is the torch-bearer for any progress. Dr Sribabu Educational Society provides education from primary education to higher education. There are about 5,000 students studying in Dr Srinubabu Educational Society. 

To encourage poor merit students, Gedela awarded many students and is also extending financial support to talented students to access higher education in AP and Telangana. There are many attempts to bring equality between men and women in terms of wage and opportunity to women. 

Under his leadership, there are many programmes organised to empower women. Recently the organisation conducted Ellethon-2018 for women empowerment. Dr Gedela said, “Women workforce in India is in a state of transformation. For many decades, women participation was limited to the agriculture workforce or semi-skilled industrial workforce where women have been perceived to be less productive and therefore less paid. They were also restricted to a number of job roles. This has obviously led to pay disparity based on gender which is a structural issue.”

Dr Srinubabu’s main aim in life is to provide free access to education and scientific literature to unprivileged. His future plans are to help people at all levels, which include some non-English speaking countries to have free access to scientific knowledge in their regional languages. Srinubabu said that they translated the journals into Japanese, Chinese and French languages. In near future, they are going to reach rural India with scientific literature and technology in local languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada.

By: Sheker Shivarathri