Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a renowned liver specialist and clinician-scientist, also known as ‘The Liver Doctor‘ on social media, has publicly criticized Zoho co-founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu for backing IIT Madras Director Prof. V Kamakoti. Prof. Kamakoti had recently sparked controversy by advocating for the medicinal benefits of cow urine, also known as gomutra.
The Liver Doctor voiced his strong disapproval of the ongoing debate on social media platform X. In a biting critique, he penned, “Hey science illiterate boomer uncle, your so-called Indian traditional medicine, Siddha also encourages fecal transplants. How long will you keep putting your foot in your mouth and speak through your rear, misinform your followers, and make a fool of yourself?”
The Liver Doctor emphasized the responsibility that comes with being a public figure, urging influential individuals to utilize their platform wisely. Specifically addressing Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu, he stated, “As a man of influence, spread valuable information on how as a community we can progress through science and the scientific method, instead of promoting ancient nonsense and primal therapies and amplifying fools who misinform, like the IIT Madras professor.”
Sridhar Vembu came to the defense of Prof. Kamakoti, arguing that critics of cow urine therapy are unaware of the shifting landscape of scientific research. He pointed out the increasing interest in unconventional treatments, such as fecal transplants and fecal pills, which involve harnessing the beneficial bacteria from healthy individuals, particularly those from pre-industrial societies, to restore gut health.
The Liver Doctor responded to Vembu’s defense of cow urine therapy by highlighting the scientific basis of fecal transplants and sharing links to relevant articles on the subject. He noted that his team has made significant strides in using this method to treat patients suffering from severe alcohol-associated hepatitis. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Prof. Kamakoti’s remarks on cow urine continued to simmer. At an event on January 15, Kamakoti stated, “If you would really like to know how fecal transplants have science behind its use, you can read about our work here. We have pioneered this method in salvaging patients dying of severe alcohol-associated hepatitis,” was not said by Kamakoti but “anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and digestive properties and can be an effective treatment for conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).” His comments were met with criticism, with many labeling them as pseudoscientific and questioning the logic behind such claims.
The Liver Doctor countered with a clear and direct statement, “Urine therapy has no such known benefits and there is no science behind promoting its use. Educate yourself. And stop with the Strawman fallacies,” emphasizing the lack of scientific evidence supporting the benefits of urine therapy and urging those promoting it to educate themselves on the matter.
Sridhar Vembu steps down as the CEO of Zoho
Last month, Sridhar Vembu handed over the reins as CEO. Going forward, he’ll concentrate on driving innovation as the company’s ‘Chief Scientist’, focusing on research and development, as announced on X.
He wrote on X, “A new chapter begins today. In view of the various challenges and opportunities facing us, including recent major developments in AI, it has been decided that it is best that I should focus full time on R&D initiatives, along with pursuing my personal rural development mission.”
Sridhar Vembu, a strong advocate for sustainable development and rural economy, is set to take on a new role as Chief Scientist, where he will drive deep R&D initiatives. As part of this transition, Shailesh Kumar Davey, a co-founder of the group, will assume the position of CEO.
“I will step down as CEO of Zoho Corp and take a new role as Chief Scientist, responsible for deep R&D initiatives. Our co-founder Shailesh Kumar Davey will serve as our new group CEO. Our co-founder Tony Thomas will lead Zoho US. Rajesh Ganesan will lead our ManageEngine division and Mani Vembu will lead the Zoho.com division. The future of our company entirely depends on how well we navigate the R&D challenge and I am looking forward to my new assignment with energy and vigor. I am also very happy to get back to hands-on technical work.” Vembu’s new role is seen as a strategic move to propel the company’s growth through innovation.
In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Sridhar Vembu is also committed to philanthropy, particularly in the realm of education. He financially supports a school in rural Tamil Nadu, aiming to provide opportunities for underprivileged children. With a staggering net worth of $5.8 billion, as reported by Forbes, Vembu’s success is a testament to his innovative spirit and business acumen.
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