FOR DR. SUNNY BAKSHI THE ANSWER LIES IN HOMEOPATHY

See the many awards given to Dr. Bakshi

Homeopathy runs in Sunny Bakshi's blood. His father, after all, was the honorary physician to the former President of India, Zail Singh. But in his scheme of things, that is merely incidental - something to be proud of, no doubt, but that is as far as it goes.

"I'm a self made man," he says, brushing aside any assumptions to the contrary. And one believes him. For, how else would one explain the by-now-famous Bakson product, Sunny Arnica shampoo, manufactured by Sunny Bakshi, after "intensive in-house research for years." The shampoo was triggered off by complaints from patients against dandruff, falling hair, and other hair related problems. "I prescribed the shampoos that were available in the market, but they didn't seem to work. So, I decided to manufacture the first homeopathy-based shampoo - there were many hair oils in the market, but no shampoos." Launched in 1983, it generated "very good" response. So good, in fact, that three years later Bakshi decided to venture into the production of homeopathic medicines. And there has been no looking back since. "We're growing every year by 100 percent," claims Bakshi. Specializing in allergies, the medicines treat infections caused by allergies. "The first major breakthrough I got was when I realized that allergy produces practically all skin problems. With research we found that it was the cause of acne. The basic cause of tonsillitis is also allergy." The market will soon be flooded by a number of Bakson products like Throat-Aid for tonsils, Derm-Aid for eczema, Cough-Aid for dry cough, Gastro-Aid, and many more.

Bakson stands for Bakshi Son, a tribute to the father who made the man. As a child, Sunny Bakshi used to "see miracles everyday." This generated an interest in homeopathy. "People rejected by allopaths were being cured by my father,"remembers Bakshi. It was with a firm faith in the curative powers of homeopathy that Bakshi joined the Nehru Medical College - "the oldest college in Delhi" - to study homeopathy. At 40, he became the youngest sitting chairman of the Central Council of Homeopathy, a body formed under the Parliament Act, 1973, and equivalent to the Medical Council of India. All the homeopathic colleges of the country are affiliated to the council. And as its president, Bakshi keeps a close watch over "the norms of education in college - number of students, teachers, the syllabus." It is in this capacity that he assures one of a bright future for homeopathy in the country. "On an average there about 50 students passing out of one college every year so, at least 1,000 doctors are joining the mainstream every year." In fact, he goes on to predict that, in 10 years the status of homeopathy will be "100 times higher."

The success of Sunny Arnica shampoo has been so encouraging that Bakshi has now decided to launch a whole range of cosmetics. Bakshi feels that his range of cosmetics will form it's own niche owing to their excellent quality and low price. "We want to reach the common man which is why our cosmetics are priced at one-third the price of other cosmetics in the business. Also, the quality claims on their labels are incorrect." All cosmetics, according to Bakshi, are toxic to some degree due to the use of chemicals. Bakson products, comparatively, are less toxic. "Homeopathy has no side effect because of a herbal base. We take one part of the medicine and dissolve it in 99 parts of rectified spirit. After six dilutions, you will not find any trace of the medicine. There is, thus, no toxic effect." Already in the market are the Sunny cold cream and hair conditioner. And, by the looks of it, doing well, too. Says Bakshi, "We haven't advertised, but we are already running short on stock. All because of the efficiency of the product." Expansion plans also include exports in the near future. "We've received enquiries for exports from Malaysia, Bangladesh, Singapore, Russia, Sri Lanka. We have orders from Pakistan." Another offer, also from Bangladesh, is for the export of technical know-how. The future looks bright. But then, so is the present. "We are today the number one homeopathic company in the country," declares Bakshi. Working long hours, it is an achievement that Bakshi is proud of.

- Konal Soni
Reprinted from The Asian Age, 11/2/94