Street:Cipla Ltd. Mumbai Central Mumbai 400 008 India
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About us
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Khwaja Abdul Hamied, the founder of Cipla, was born on October 31, 1898. The fire of nationalism was kindled in him when he was 15 as he witnessed a wanton act of colonial highhandedness. The fire was to blaze within him right through his life.
In college, he found Chemistry fascinating. He set sail for Europe in 1924 and got admission in Berlin University as a research student of "The Technology of Barium Compounds". He earned his doctorate three years later.
In October 1927, during the long voyage from Europe to India, he drew up great plans for the future. He wrote: "No modern industry could have been possible without the help of such centres of research work where men are engaged in compelling nature to yield her secrets to the ruthless search of an investigating chemist." His plan found many supporters but no financiers. However, Dr Hamied was determined to being "a small wheel, no matter how small, than be a cog in a big wheel."
Cipla is born
In 1935, he set up The Chemical, Industrial & Pharmaceutical Laboratories, which came to be popularly known as Cipla. He gave the company all his patent and proprietary formulas for several drugs and medicines, without charging any royalty. On August 17, 1935, Cipla was registered as a public limited company with an authorised capital of Rs 6 lakhs.
The search for suitable premises ended at 289, Bellasis Road (the present corporate office) where a small bungalow with a few rooms was taken on lease for 20 years for Rs 350 a month.
Cipla was officially opened on September 22, 1937 when the first products were ready for the market. The Sunday Standard wrote: "The birth of Cipla which was launched into the world by Dr K A Hamied will be a red letter day in the annals of Bombay Industries. The first city in India can now boast of a concern, which will supersede all existing firms in the magnitude of its operations. India has lagged behind in the march of science but she is now awakening from her lethargy. The new company has mapped out an ambitious programme and with intelligent direction and skillful production bids fair to establish a great reputation in the East. "
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