Nomal Borah at a news meet on Sunday. Picture by Eastern Projections

June 3: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) has selected city-based neurologist Nomal Chandra Borah among five successful entrepreneurs of the country whose profiles have been included in its postgraduate course material to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs.

An official in the Ignou office in the city said Borah, from a poor peasant family from Sonitpur district, had faced many odds in his life to become a doctor and later, a successful entrepreneur. He said Borah’s profile has been included in the entrepreneurship and rural development course at the post-graduate level.

“Borah could be a source of inspiration for our students, who want to learn the skills involved in becoming successful entrepreneurs. The way Borah overcame all obstacles is remarkable,” the official said.

Reacting to the development, Borah said today hard work, honesty and determination contributed to his success. He said one also has to be innovative and take risks to be a successful entrepreneur.

Borah, who is currently the chairman-cum-managing director of GNRC Hospital, spent his childhood helping out his parents ploughing land in a small agricultural field. His other activities included tending cows and buffaloes and fishing in Dubia village of Sonitpur district. He went to a primary school, which had a thatched roof, but no walls nor furniture.

During his high school days, Borah worked hard in his parents’ field, growing vegetables, betelnuts and betel leaf, which he sold in the village market to earn money to buy books for himself and two of his younger brothers.

After completing his studies and specialising in neurology despite all odds, Borah wanted to help the people of the Northeast by offering neurological treatment at an affordable rate. He started out on his venture with the sum of Rs 5,000 that he had saved during the period of his residency at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Borah took a great risk by quitting an Assam government job to start a neurological hospital on his own.

“I did not have much financial backing. But I was determined and clear regarding my goal. It took many years of struggle to make GNRC one of the best hospitals in the eastern region. Patients from neighbouring states now come to my hospital for treatment,” he said.

According to Borah, a positive attitude and quality service are the key factors behind the success of a private organisation.