Infinite Vision ─ How Aravind Became the World's Greatest Business Case for Compassion

The Aravind Eye Care System, based in India, is the world's largest provider of high-quality eye care. It is also one of the world's most incredible and revolutionary organizations delivering surgical outcomes equal to or exceeding those in the developed world at less than one percent of the cost, treating more than half of its patients free of charge, and taking no grants or donations. Aravind's success is so perplexing it has been the subject of a popular Harvard Business School case study. This is the first book to explore Aravind's history and the distinctive philoso-phies, practices, and commitments that are the keys to its success

Mehta and Shenoy share incredible stories about how Aravind grew from humble beginnings founded by a retired ophthalmologist with no money or prior entrepreneurial experience to the world-class organization it is today. They explain the mysteries of a model that integrates innovation with empathy, service with business principles, and inner change with outer transformation. And they show how choices that seem foolish and unworkable can, when executed with compassion and integ-rity, yield powerful results ' results that literally light the eyes of millions.

Pavithra K. Mehta is a writer and award-winning filmmaker who has been collecting stories at Aravind ever since childhood. Suchitra Shenoy has over a decade of experience in thePavithra K. Mehta is a writer and award-winning filmmaker who has been collecting stories at Aravind ever since childhood. Suchitra Shenoy has over a decade of experience in the social sector and was a founding member of the Inclusive Markets team at the Monitor Group social sector and was a founding member of the Inclusive Markets team at the Monitor Group

More Praise for Infinite Vision

"In an increasingly complex world where making money and doing good are dichotomized, this thought-provoking story of Dr. V and the Aravind Eye Care System should be required reading for current and future business and charity leaders. Only by breaking down the false separation between business practices and community needs will our societies prosper."
-Dr. Pamela Hartigan, Director, Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, University of Oxford, and coauthor of The Power of Unreasonable People

"Most business books completely fail to communicate the human and intuitive side of organizational and business success. This book explores both very effectively while describing practical achievements as well. If you aspire to combine entrepreneurship and innovation with higher life purpose, then there can be no better guide than Infinite Vision and the life of Dr. V. But beware. Once you are ensnared it will be impossible to escape!"
-Tim Brown, CEO, IDEO, and author of Change by Design

"A deftly crafted book that relates how Aravind triumphed in business by focusing on compassion. It is rich with lessons that come to life through the vivid personalities of Aravind's torchbearers-their insights on leadership and management forge a path forward for the social as well as corporate sectors. An important and compelling read."
-V. Kasturi Rangan, Malcolm P. McNair Professor of Marketing, Harvard Business School, and cofounder of the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative

"A stirring account of how one man's faith and pragmatism healed millions. Infinite Vision is a powerful reminder that any of us can overcome the most severe of obstacles and rise to unparalleled heights of spiritual and practical achievement."
-Huston Smith, Professor of Religion and Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, Syracuse University, and author of The World's Religions

"Infinite Vision offers a lucid and moving account of the Aravind story while detailing its greatest lesson to the world: compassion, when focused with clear goals, thoughtful strategies, and sound management practices, can yield incredible results."
-Steve Hilton, President and CEO, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

"Those seeking inspiration from a spiritual journey or insight into innovative business practices-attributes not normally found in the same story-will benefit from this narration of a profoundly impactful adventure."
-Dr. Alfred Sommer, MHS, Dean Emeritus, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

"This is that rare book that informs you on how to put your compassion to work. Through the accessible genius of the Aravind model of business, you will find a gateway with a road map for you to find your own personal brand of compassion in your work and in your life."
-Dr. Mark S. Albion, cofounder, Net Impact, and author of True to Yourself and Making a Life, Making a Living

"A story about an organizational marvel, this book is somehow internally illuminated. It has plot, poetry, and emotion-things you don't expect from a business title. The writing pierces through management abstractions, and what remains is the rootedness of a family, the crazy-beautiful daring, the labor and the thrift, the sense of 'what else is there to do?'"
-Amulya Gopalakrishnan, columnist, Indian Express

"Surgery, service, soul, and sustainability weave together in this inspiring true story. The messages of this book transcend health care and business-they speak to the potential that lives within each of us."