Imagine a nation that boasts over 1.4 billion individuals where advanced medical scans are an unaffordable luxury. Just 0.004 MRI scanners are available per 1,000 individuals in India. Even worse, most of these machines are concentrated in urban areas, leaving the rural majority underserved. But this isn’t just India’s problem—globally, 70% of people have no access to an MRI scanner.

Now, imagine a man bold enough to change this reality.

A Vision Beyond the Ordinary

Meet Dr. Arjun Arunachalam—a former Assistant Professor at IIT Bombay, an electrical engineer, and a holder of five US patents. After establishing himself in New York, he joined GE Global Research, where he mastered the complexities of MRI technology. Yet, deep inside, he felt a greater calling beyond personal success—he saw an opportunity to revolutionize medical accessibility in India.

In 2008, Arjun took a leap of faith. Leaving behind a lucrative career at GE, he returned to India with a single goal: to develop affordable MRI scanners—for Indians, by India.

From Rejection to Resilience

History has proven that visionaries often face skepticism. When Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb, critics dismissed it as impractical. Similarly, Arjun’s bold idea was met with resistance. Investors and industry veterans deemed his mission unrealistic, even futile. Why? Because global MRI manufacturers had created an unshakable monopoly.

But fortune favours those who refuse to give up.

That’s when Manoj Kumar stepped in—a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Social Alpha, an organization committed to fostering high-impact innovations. Recognizing the potential in Arjun’s mission, Manoj became the first to believe in him. With Social Alpha’s backing, Arjun founded Voxelgrids in 2017, successfully developing indigenous MRI scanner prototypes.

Where Money Tempts, Principles Prevail

Voxelgrids’ success did not go unnoticed. Industry giants like GE and Siemens came knocking—not to collaborate, but to acquire his technology. Arjun, however, sensed their true intent: they wanted to suppress his innovation to keep MRI scanners expensive and inaccessible.

It was a defining moment. Would he accept the lucrative offers and move on, or stay true to his dream of making MRI technology affordable for the masses?

He chose the harder, nobler path.

An Unexpected Ally: Sridhar Vembu’s Game-Changing Question

As Arjun struggled to secure funding, he met Sridhar Vembu, the unconventional founder of Zoho Corporation. Unlike traditional investors who focused on profit margins and market risks, Sridhar asked just one profound question:

“Can this technology help rural India?”

Arjun’s unwavering “YES” sealed the deal.

Sridhar Vembu invested ₹35 crores in Voxelgrids, ensuring that Arjun’s vision didn’t remain just an idea but became a revolutionary force in healthcare.

Walking Away from Easy, Choosing What’s Right

In the Mahabharata, Karna faced a dilemma—loyalty to Duryodhana or the path of righteousness. He chose loyalty and met a tragic end. Arjun Arunachalam, too, stood at a crossroads—should he surrender to corporate giants or fight for affordable healthcare?

He chose Dharma. He chose to pay it forward.

What Would You Choose?

At some point, we all face a moment where we must decide between comfort and courage. Arjun could have taken the easy route—sold his innovation, made millions, and lived a comfortable life. Instead, he chose the difficult, yet meaningful path.

Today, Voxelgrids is a symbol of India’s self-reliance in healthcare. It defies the belief that cutting-edge technology must come from the West.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said:

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Arjun became that change.

Now, ask yourself: if you were in his position, what would you do?

Would you choose comfort or conviction?

Would you follow the herd or carve your own path?

Would you chase profit or pursue purpose?

Because sometimes, the right path isn’t the easiest one—but it’s always worth it.

Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh). 
MBA in Healthcare & Hospital Management (BITS, Pilani), 
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru). 

Senior Professor and former Head, 
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery. 
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India. 

My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius.  I want to be a person with a bundle of experience. 

My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!

My Values:  Creating value for others. 

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