Travel - International Indian

Cover Story‘‘A manwho is notafraid toventureinto newideas andprojects, aman whosmilesat everyinstance,a man wholoves hisland – DrMoopenis big oncare andbelieves inenjoyingthe journeyeachday ratherthan rushingtowardsagoal.‘‘Centres under two distinctive brands - ASTERand MEDCARE - with footprints across the UAE,Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia. His vision is toexpand to a chain of 300 units in the GCC andIndia by 2015.The Government of India has honouredDr. Azad Moopen with the country’s thirdhighest civilian honour, the Padma Shri – thiswas to acknowledge his accomplishments inDr. Azad Moopen and his wife Nazeerawith their daughters and familycommunity healthcare and other humanitarianservices in India and overseas. Dr. Moopentucks away his cherished prize on a mantlebeside his desk, reluctant to flaunt his success.He works from a swanky office in a highrise overlooking Dubai’s main arterial highway,Sheikh Zayed Road, but his heart remains in themidst of his people back home in Kerala. Hisdreams are big but he marks his achievementsone day at a time. In his world there is simplicity,there is humility and there is freedom.In Dr. Moopen one sees a man who hasset his own parameters of success. He may nottop the list of rich people or industrialists, buthis efforts are impacting thousands back homeand he is content and blissful in that wealth ofcompleteness.Narrating the story of his life. He is readywith his answers knowing only too well whatquestions an interview usually entails. But webegin from beyond the beginnings and starton a very liberating note. His name is Azad,which means freedom…so what does freedommean to him?One deep breath and a momentouspause as his lips fashion a smile, he weighs histhoughts and says, “Freedom is very important.I think it is one of the most cherished andimportant aspirations of any human being. It’svery important to be free – not only physicallybut also mentally, socially, culturally.I have been quite fortunate in that I gotthis opportunity from the very beginning. Myparents were quite supportive of my decisions.In fact, the name Azad is one of the first andmost integral liberties that I took as a child. Itis a name that I had suggested as a boy of 7years; they accepted it and with it I grew.”The story of Dr. Moopen’s life is indeedinteresting. Born in 1953, he is the youngestof four brothers and two sisters. “The agegap between me and my brother who isimmediately older than me is ten years. I wasthe pet of the family and they were all veryconsiderate towards me. I was cared for andthoroughly pampered by my mother and eldersiblings – in fact, until my school admission(into grade 2), I did not even have a propername - family and friends merely called meBava! And, they still do - just as the elders inmy village do,” he smiles.COMING TO DUBAIIn the late 80s, Dr. Moopen visited Dubaiwith the intent to understand the needs ofthe Emirate. “There was a dearth of medicaldoctors in the region. My friend who waspractising in Ajman at the time suggested thatI set up a clinic in Dubai and thus the RafaPolyclinic came into being,” he recalls.“My visit was meant to be provisional. Itook a few months’ break from the college inCalicut. My wife Nazeera and daughters, Alishaand Ziham came along. It was just a temporarymove but then we blinked and it has been 25years since we have been here. God’s ways aredifferent. We have no place to argue when Hehas decided what is best for us.”In a new land, Dr. Azad set up his name.His wife, Nazeera Azad has been supportingthe organization’s growth from its inception in1987. Mrs. Nazeera Azad is the Vice Chairmanand Managing Director, with signatoryauthority in the organization, especially in thedaily operational activities of the pharmacydivision and other verticals and as a corporatejoint signatory. She is the heart of theorganization, maintaining personal and cordial14The International Indian