“Analyze carefully the people around you in work or life journey. There will be two kinds –
Think and talk. You can imagine and you enjoy.
Just talk. You wish when it would end.”
— Dr. A. Velumani
Born in 1959, Dr. A. Velumani, Founder, Thyrocare, in the small village of Appanaickenpatti Pudur near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Arokiaswamy Velumani came from abject poverty. His father was a landless farmer and his mother sold buffalo milk to support the family, earning just ₹50 a week. Shoes were a luxury. But some people are born with a different kind of strength — a rare caliber. They don’t see their poverty as a weakness. Instead, they treat it as an opportunity to rise.
That’s exactly the kind of story Dr. A. Velumani carries with him — not just one of success, but of seeing light even in the darkest corners of life. Even a second pair of clothes was rare. Education seemed like a faraway dream. But young Velumani had a fire in his heart and faith in books. He became the first graduate from his village, completing a B.Sc. in Chemistry in 1978.
Struggles That Could’ve Broken Him, But Didn’t
Life is always a mix of ups and downs — filled with challenges at every turn. Becoming a millionaire after struggling just to afford an education is no small feat. But a powerful quote says, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” And Dr. A. Velumani proved this with every step he took.
After graduation, Velumani joined a small pharma company called Gemini Capsules in Coimbatore for ₹150 per month. Of that, ₹100 was sent back home and ₹50 was his own survival fund. After four years, the company shut down, leaving him unemployed. He had no contacts, no savings — but a heart full of grit. He moved to Mumbai in 1982 with ₹500 in hand and joined Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) as a laboratory assistant. While working full-time, he completed his M.Sc. in 1985 and earned a PhD in Thyroid Biochemistry by 1995. His experience at BARC would shape his future: he realized how few affordable diagnostic options existed in India. And that’s where the seed of Thyrocare was planted.
Equality & Support
True success isn't just about reaching your goals — it's about taking everyone along with you.
In 1986, Dr. Velumani married Sumathi, a bank employee with SBI. She was not just his life partner — she became his co-founder in the truest sense. Dr. Velumani didn’t build an empire alone; he walked hand-in-hand with his wife, supported fresh talent and created opportunities where none existed. His story proves that when success is rooted in equality, it becomes meaningful, impactful and truly unforgettable.
When someone truly believes in your dreams, your confidence deepens — and suddenly, your vision feels closer, clearer, and stronger.
That’s exactly what happened between Dr. Velumani and his wife. Her support wasn’t just love — it was equal partnership in purpose, risk, and belief. Their journey beautifully reflects that equality isn’t just about sharing responsibilities — it’s about sharing dreams too.
Equality into an Empire
When he decided to leave his secure government job in 1995 to start a diagnostics business, Sumathi too resigned from her stable job. Mrs. Sumathi Velumani — Born in Cochin in 1960, rooted in Kumbakonam and raised in Mumbai, she was a chemistry graduate who worked at BARC and SBI. Though their match seemed unlikely — a village boy and a city girl — her relentless parents made it happen, and that four-year-delayed “yes” became the turning point of his life.
With shared values of frugality, focus, and family, she became the heart of both home and business. When he took the leap into entrepreneurship, she gave up her own dreams to fuel his. Though she couldn’t be there at the ringing of the IPO bell, she was the reason he ever reached it. In 2016, cancer took her away — but their 30-year journey remains one of unmatched intensity, love, and partnership. Together, they built not just a business — but a model of marital and professional equality.
BIGSTORY stands for equality not just in gender, but in effort, partnership, and mutual respect — and Dr. Velumani story reflects this deeply.
Building Thyrocare: India’s Most Efficient Diagnostic Chain
In 1996, the couple started Thyrocare from a 200 sq. ft rented room in Mumbai. Dr. Velumani focused exclusively on thyroid testing with centralized testing and local sample collection centers where, “Humility is at Its Core.”
He believed:
“Being simple and saving wisely often leads to the best ideas.”
Even when the company’s valuation crossed ₹3,000 crore, he maintained his humble roots—earning him deep admiration from all corners.
Through THE BIGSTORY’S LENS: Equality & Empowerment
Dr. Velumani’s story isn’t just inspiring — it’s deeply aligned with the values of BIGSTORY:
Equality in Partnership:
Sumathi Velumani wasn’t behind the scenes — she was beside him in every moment. A real symbol of equality in marriage and entrepreneurship. Thyrocare became one of India’s most trusted test providers, processing 40,000 tests per day.
At BIGSTORY, we don’t just share stories of success — we celebrate the journeys that inspire, empower, and redefine what’s possible.
Dr. A. Velumani’s life does all three, and more:
- From barefoot to billionaire, he never let go of his humble beginnings.
- From partnership to prosperity, he walked shoulder-to-shoulder with his wife, valuing equality every step of the way.
- From poverty to possibility, he created a platform where thousands could build their own futures.
Because at BIGSTORY, we don’t just spotlight the achievers — we honour those who rise with the power of togetherness.
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