An eminent pharmacist, lawyer,
Sri Ashokswamy Heroor
It gives me a great pleasure to express a few words about an eminent pharmacist, lawyer, Sri Ashokswamy Heroor.My acquaintance with him started in 1999, when I was transferred from Bangalore to Gulbarga, as the Deputy Drugs Controller of Gulbarga Intelligence branch. During the six years thereafter, I had an opportunity to associate myself with him and learn about him, his foresightedness, positive thinking, eagerness to serve the public in general and the Pharmacists in particular, his leadership qualities etc.
In my service, I have seen late Sri K.N.Shanbhogue’s sincere efforts for the upliftment of Pharmacy profession. He was rightly called as the FATHER of Pharmacy, in Karnataka. After late K.N.Shanbhogue, Sri Ashokswamy Heroor is another Pharmacist, who is sincerely striving for the betterment of the Pharmacy profession. Here, i must admit that Sri Ashokswamy Heroor is one step ahead. He is working for the upliftment of both the profession and the professionalists i.e. Pharmacists, even without holding any powerful Govt. offices.
He is fighting for the unity among fellow Pharmacists, to bring awareness towards the Drugs Rules, continuing education among community Pharmacists, Registration in the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council and its renewal, RTI Act, Minimum Wages Act, increase in the pay structure, eradication of spurious drugs, stopping of quackery, discouraging the renting of certificates by Registered Pharmacists etc., these are only some of the examples of his unlimited areas of activity. In addition to this, he is very active in Kannada Literacy, Religious Organizations, Chamber of Commerce, Railway board etc.
From the enforcement agency view, i should say that he has been making vital and sensible suggestions to the Drugs Control Department, Health and Family Welfare, Ayush, Labour, Employees State Insurance Corporation, Excise, Police, Commercial Tax and other departments. At the same time, he is not a “YES MASTER”. He thinks over thoroughly on all aspects, before initiating any action. He sticks to the Rule of Law throughout his fight. This noble quality, though desirable in a leader, has often earned the wrath of his followers. But he would not care till he reaches the goal.
“Aushadhiya Varthe” the monthly news magazine, edited and published by him, is the only one such Kannada news paper in the field of Pharmacy. With the available meager human and fiscal resources, and without depending on commercial advertisements it is really an achievement, to publish it from a small town like Gangavathi. He has unified the Pharmacists of Gangavati and built a “Pharma Plaza”, a complex with necessary infrastructure and “Pharma Palace” for activities of Chemists and Druggist Association a decade ago. I don’t think any other district chemists have carried out such a novel project in their districts. He has organized many profes- sional associations like The Indian Pharmaceutical Association branch, in Gangavati, which hitherto existed in big cities only. The Registered Pharmacists’ Association, established by him is the first of its kind in the entire country. Apart from this, he is either an office bearer or an active member, in many more associations, both professional and social. I simply plead my inability to enlist them here.
He is a dual professionalist; firstly, a pharmacist, then a lawyer. For the first time, he has published the gist Of Drug Laws, in Kannada, for the benefit of community Pharmacists. Suggestions made by him, to restructure the D.Pharmacy course curriculum has initiated the authorities to ponder over it. The NPPA is studying his ideas on the enforcement of the DPCO in the country. Similarly other departments have benefited by his various proposals. If he is elevated to a powerful position, I am sure, he will effectively work for the fulfillment of deficiencies of the general public, the lawyers and the Pharmacists. I feel success lies in his basic character to acquire knowledge in all fields. Despite these thankless jobs, he has earned degree, Masters Degree, Post graduate degree in Law, Diploma in Pharmacy and Diploma in Drugs Law. He is on the verge of acquiring more educational qualifications. He has also mastered modern communication skills like the facebook, website, e-mail, internet techniques etc..
I sincerely wish, one day or other, he will decorate the position of a Minister and redresses all of the difficulties faced by us. Since he has enough experience in political field as he has once contested MLA & MLC elections, this may be a reality, soon. I wish him all the best and quick success in his endeavours. Let us whole heartedly support a fellow Pharmacist, who is struggling for our welfare.
-Dr.B.Sripathi Rao
M.Pharm., Ph.D., L.L.B.
Retd. State Drugs Controller
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