Dr. Varghese Sebastian, known widely as Varghese Moolan, was born on February 18, 1953, in Angamaly, Kerala. A trailblazer in entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and cultural diplomacy, his life journey embodies perseverance, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to societal progress. With an ethos centered on people-first leadership, Dr. Moolan has carved a remarkable legacy that transcends the typical measures of success. Dr. Moolan’s entrepreneurial journey began in Saudi Arabia, where he transitioned from an employee to a business owner. In 1985, he founded Vijay Supermarket in Al-Khobar, which would serve as the launchpad for the global Moolans Group. Over the years, the group expanded into diverse sectors, including retail, organic farming, food processing, and international trade. Today, Moolans Group exports premium Indian food products under brands such as Vijay, Jay, Roma, Elite, and Butterfly to over 25 countries. A pivotal moment in Dr. Moolan’s business trajectory was the establishment of House of Spices Factory Ltd. in Dammam, making him the first Indian to receive a Saudi Investor License. This achievement cemented his influence in the region and granted him a prestigious seat at the Saudi Chamber of Commerce. His innovations in business have significantly bolstered the global reputation of Indian food products, marking Moolans Group as a key player in the international market. In 2014, Dr. Moolan launched the Touch-A-Heart initiative, a charitable project dedicated to providing free heart surgeries for children under 18. The program has been a monumental success. By 2023, it had facilitated 263 surgeries with zero casualties—a remarkable achievement in child healthcare. The initiative expanded further in 2024, with plans to fund 40 more surgeries, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Moolans Group, and renowned singer Sonu Nigam serving as its ambassador. In addition to Touch-A-Heart, Dr. Moolan’s philanthropic endeavors include: Kindle-A-Candle (2012), which supports marriages for underprivileged women, provides medical aid, and offers financial assistance to struggling families by donating rickshaws and taxis; Fly-The-Firefly (2014), focused on education, providing scholarships, financial aid, and educational resources to underprivileged students; and Home-Sweet-Home (2011), which has helped build over two dozen homes for the homeless, providing shelter and dignity. Dr. Moolan has been a consistent responder to humanitarian crises, demonstrating a deep empathy for those affected by natural disasters. His relief efforts include the Kerala Flood Relief (2018), during which he distributed 4,500 survival kits, and COVID-19 Relief (2019–2021), where he supplied 20,000 food kits, feeding nearly 100,000 people across various communities. A pioneer in medical tourism, Dr. Moolan has facilitated the treatment of numerous Middle Eastern patients in India. Through Moolans Medicare, he bridges the gap between quality healthcare and affordability by organizing free medical camps and providing specialized healthcare to economically disadvantaged populations. Dr. Moolan has also ventured into the film industry, producing socially relevant and critically acclaimed movies. Notable among them is Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022), a National Award-winning biopic on ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan, which received accolades at Cannes and coincided with the launch of Phase-4 of the Touch-A-Heart initiative. His film Odu Raja Odu (2018) won the Asia Vision Award in Dubai, and an upcoming project, GDN, promises to captivate global audiences. In 1999, Dr. Moolan founded the Global Malayalee Council (GMC) with the vision to unite Malayalees worldwide. The GMC operates across 24 countries, hosting business summits, educational seminars, and cultural festivals, thus fostering collaboration and uplifting the community on a global scale. Dr. Moolan’s influence extends beyond business and philanthropy. In 2024, he was appointed India-Commonwealth Trade Commissioner, representing 58 Commonwealth nations. His other leadership roles include National Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Foundation of India (2025), Consultative Board Member of the Food Corporation of India (2017), and National Vice Chairman of the Spices Board, Government of India (2020). Dr. Moolan’s exemplary contributions have garnered numerous prestigious awards, including the Golden Book Award (2025), the National Award for Best Film for Rocketry (2023), the Excellence Award from the British Parliament in London, the Order of Golden Peace Maker (2017) from the Russian Parliament, the Saudi Business Excellence Award (2014), the International Business Excellence Award (2010), and the Pravasi Bharati Award (2009) from the Government of Kerala. Dr. Varghese Moolan’s life and work are a testament to the power of visionary leadership. He continues to influence business, philanthropy, healthcare, and global unity, shaping a future that prioritizes ethical progress, compassion, and community welfare
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