Born in the bustling heart of India, where dreams of healing the sick often begin with grueling entrance exams, Divakar Dalela’s journey into medicine started like many others—with a pencil, a question paper, and a room full of aspiring doctors. It was the Combined Pre-Medical Test (CPMT) in Meerut, a pivotal gateway to medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh. Picture this: rows of tense students scribbling furiously, the clock ticking like a heartbeat. But not young Divakar. Sitting side by side with a fellow examinee—who would later recall this moment fondly—he breezed through the paper in just an hour, then leaned back, arms folded, idly watching the others sweat it out. “Done already?” his neighbor whispered, eyes wide. Divakar grinned and replied, “Yeah, it wasn’t too bad. Let’s see if we both make it through.” And make it they did, both selected, launching Divakar on a path that would make him one of India’s most distinguished urologists.

Fast-forward to 1984: Divakar graduated with his MBBS from King George’s Medical College (KGMC) in Lucknow, not just passing but topping his batch. 9 His academic prowess was evident early on, earning him a slew of distinctions. But medicine demands more than book smarts, so he pursued his MS in Surgery from the same institution between 1987 and 1988, honing his skills in the operating theater. “Surgery isn’t just about cutting—it’s about precision and empathy,” he’d later tell his students, drawing from those formative years. By 1992, he had completed his MCh in Urology from the prestigious Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), solidifying his expertise in a field that blends intricate procedures with life-changing patient care. 9

Divakar’s career took root back at his alma mater, now known as King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow, where he spent over two decades climbing the ranks to become Professor and Head of the Department of Urology. 9 Imagine the sterile hum of hospital corridors, the beeps of monitors, and Divakar in scrubs, leading teams through emergency endoscopic surgeries or elective open procedures. “Every patient is a puzzle,” he’d say during rounds, “and our job is to solve it without missing a piece.” His hands-on experience extended to consulting at Gandhi Memorial and Associated Hospitals, and a stint as a senior resident at SGPGI added depth to his repertoire. 9 But Divakar wasn’t content with just practicing; he became a mentor, training surgical faculty from various UP medical colleges, guiding MD, MCh, and PhD theses, and inspiring countless undergraduates. He even led nearly 20 honorary assignments, edited seven journals, and earned fellowships like FICS and MNAMS. 9

What sets Divakar apart is his innovative spirit. In 2008, at the Urological Society of India’s annual conference in Chennai, he unveiled his “pencil tip” one-stage metallic dilator for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)—a game-changer for treating kidney stones. “Why complicate things with multiple steps when one can do?” he quipped to the applauding audience, earning the Innovation Award and the CSM University Gold Medal for Innovations. 9 His accolades pile up like the stones he removes: over 30 medals and distinctions, including 18 gold and 15 silver, plus five book prizes and the Hargovind Singh Memorial Traveling Fellowship. 9 As an author, he’s penned more than 20 books, with 25 in total (some still in press), alongside 40 international and 35 Indian research papers. 9 His work has been cited over 1,780 times, focusing on urinary stone disease, kidney transplantation, female urology, male urethra diseases, BPH, and tropical urology. 5

Divakar’s voice echoes beyond academia. He’s delivered over 80 presentations at international and national conferences, chaired sessions, conducted workshops, and given 30 guest lectures. 9 Membership in seven international societies keeps him connected globally. In 2021, The Economic Times honored him as an “Inspiring Urologist of India,” a nod to his relentless drive. 7 Even today, as a senior urologist, he’s championing causes like prostate cancer awareness through campaigns like Movember. “Early detection isn’t just medicine—it’s saving families,” he emphasized in a recent talk. 6

But perhaps his most enduring legacy is the Dalela Academy of Urology, where he founded a treasure trove of educational videos on urological diseases and surgeries—for students, doctors, and patients alike. 10 With 62 videos racking up over 67,000 views on platforms like MEDtube, he’s democratizing knowledge. 10 From that idle hour in the Meerut exam hall to revolutionizing urology, Prof. Divakar Dalela’s story is one of brilliance, innovation, and a touch of that early confidence—proving that sometimes, finishing first is just the beginning.