You Want to Grow Only If You’ve to Grow

At Infinite Oneders, we deeply value wisdom that comes from lived experience. Recently, our Director & CEO had the rare opportunity to be part of an interactive session with Mr. C. Balagopal — former IAS officer, founder of Peninsula Polymers (now Terumo Penpol), and a celebrated thinker in the world of entrepreneurship and public service.

Among many ideas shared, there were three powerful words that struck our Director profoundly:

Epiphany. Serendipity. Confirmation Bias.

These weren’t just vocabulary — they were the lens through which Mr. Balagopal framed his life and business journey. Here's how they came alive.

🌟 Epiphany: A Spark That Changed a Life

Mr. Balagopal shared how a conversation with Dr. M. S. Valiathan, then Director of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, became a turning point.

It was then that he experienced an epiphany — realizing that India was importing 100% of its blood bags, despite having the scientific know-how to manufacture them locally. The gap was clear. The opportunity, immense.

Though he had no background in business and no capital, he couldn’t shake off the vision. He pitched the idea to the institute — and they took a bold decision: to transfer the technology to him, a young ex-bureaucrat with a mission.

That’s how Peninsula Polymers was born — a venture that became Terumo Penpol, now exporting to 58 countries worldwide. This moment of clarity, courage, and commitment became a defining epiphany — and a blueprint for Indian innovation.

✨ Serendipity: The Fortune That Finds the Persistent

Mr. Balagopal humbly called parts of his journey “serendipitous.” But to us, it was clear: his serendipity came from being open, prepared, and daring enough to take the leap when others wouldn’t.

He reminded us that some of the most powerful breakthroughs in life are not planned — they happen when preparation meets an unexpected opportunity.

Serendipity doesn’t favor the passive. It rewards the resilient.

🧠 Confirmation Bias: The Belief That Limits Us

Perhaps the most compelling part of the discussion was when Mr. Balagopal spoke of confirmation bias — especially among youth, families, and even media in Kerala.

Despite being home to global companies like Synthite, Dentcare, SFO Technologies, and Terumo Penpol, many still believe Kerala isn’t a place to do business.

He called it out as a mental trap — a narrative built not on truth, but on repetition. And this struck a deep chord with us.

We immediately thought of our own client, RV Engineering Industries from Thrissur — a brilliant firm manufacturing conveyor belts, trolleys, tanks, and material handling systems. These kinds of companies often go unseen simply because they don’t sit along highways. But they exist, thrive, and build quietly — in line with Kerala’s own industrial geography and economics.

📈 Kerala: High Cost, High Skill, High Potential

Mr. Balagopal broke down Kerala’s business dynamics with clarity:

• Yes, labour and land costs are high

• But the talent pool is unmatched

• Kerala’s GDP has doubled in the last decade

• And by NITI Aayog standards, it’s one of the best states to do business in India

He compared Kerala to South Korea or Taiwan — regions with limited land, dense populations, and high costs, but incredible output and innovation due to quality-first mindsets.

"If you want low-skill, low-cost models, go elsewhere. But if you want to build value, Kerala gives you everything you need — intellect, resilience, and world-class skill."

💡 Final Reflection

“You want to grow only if you’ve to grow.” Growth isn’t just about ambition — it’s about necessity with clarity.

For our Director, this session wasn’t just a learning moment — it was a personal epiphany. It challenged existing confirmation biases, and reminded us that serendipity favors the brave.

We’re honored to have been part of this dialogue with Mr. C. Balagopal. At Infinite Oneders, we now carry forward this clarity as we continue helping entrepreneurs, innovators, and organizations build boldly, with belief.