In the serene Doon Valley of the 1950s, where Dehradun was still a sleepy retreat nestled in the Himalayas, a tall, robust man with an angular face and signature brown slate spectacles emerged as a beacon of medical innovation. Dr. G.R. Kalra, an MBBS graduate with a commanding voice and an even warmer smile, didn’t just practice medicine—he revolutionized it. Born into a simpler era, his curiosity about the human body sparked young: “I always wondered how we could see what’s happening inside without cutting someone open,” he’d muse over tea with colleagues, his eyes twinkling behind those distinctive glasses. 23

Dr. Kalra’s career took off in the early 1960s when he pioneered Shanti X-Ray on Chakrata Road, opposite Chukuwala near Hanuman Mandir—believed to be Dehradun’s very first X-ray clinic. In a time when diagnostics relied on guesswork or long trips to bigger cities, he imported the machinery himself, battling power outages and skepticism. “This machine is like giving doctors a window into the soul of the body,” he’d explain with a grin, adjusting his spectacles as he demonstrated it to wide-eyed patients. But it wasn’t easy; he’d spend late nights troubleshooting, joking, “This machine is as stubborn as me!” while wiping sweat from his brow. 23 Shanti, meaning “peace,” embodied his philosophy: accurate diagnosis brought peace of mind. The clinic quickly became a hub, detecting fractures, lung issues, and more, transforming healthcare for locals, retirees, and Mussoorie visitors alike.

As Dehradun grew, so did his practice. Shanti X-Ray evolved into Dr. Kalra’s Medical Centre, a diagnostic and treatment sanctuary where he emphasized compassion alongside science. “Medicine isn’t just about curing,” he’d say firmly yet kindly, his deep voice echoing through the halls. “It’s about giving people a reason to keep going.” 23 Patients recall his reassuring tone: “Beti, don’t worry, we’ll figure this out together,” he’d comfort a nervous young woman, steadying her fears with his presence. He educated the community too, holding informal talks to dispel myths about radiation. “It’s just a picture, like a photograph, but of your bones,” he’d chuckle, winning over skeptics one by one.

Dr. Kalra’s achievements were profound. He bridged a critical gap in diagnostics during an era without CT scans or MRIs, making advanced care accessible in a conservative town. 20 23 As a mentor, he was a father figure to younger doctors, sharing wisdom that influenced the next generation. Dr. Rawal, a colleague, once reflected: “Your father, Dr. G.R. Kalra, was a father figure and mentor to us. He shared so many things with us.” 23 His clinic’s longevity—spanning over six decades—cemented his legacy, fostering collaboration in Dehradun’s tight-knit medical community, including ties to the ONGC Clinic on Lyton Road. 20

Family was woven into his professional life. He passed his passion to sons Kiran and Mahender. When Kiran briefly ventured to the UK after his pediatrics training, Dr. Kalra called him back: “You’re needed here, Kiran. This city is your home, and these people are your family.” 23 Kiran teased, “You went abroad yourself, Papa, and yet you gave me such a hard time!” But Kiran returned, expanding the clinic into pediatric care at Kalra Medicare on 43 Chakrata Road. Mahender pursued medicine abroad, to which Dr. Kalra said with misty eyes, “Go make a difference, but don’t forget where you came from.” 23 Today, his grandsons carry the torch, practicing in Race Course, Dehradun—one of them, Dr. Avinal Kalra, at Dr. Kalra’s Medical Centre on 22 Race Course Road. 22 23 “It’s in our blood,” a grandson once said, smiling as he adjusted his stethoscope. “Grandfather set the standard, and we’re just trying to live up to it.” 23

Though Dr. Kalra is no longer with us, his spirit lingers in Dehradun’s medical corridors. From a curious boy to a pioneering healer, he turned challenges into hope, proving that true medicine starts with empathy. As he often reminded, “Papa taught me that a child’s smile is half the cure”—a lesson that echoes through his enduring family legacy. 23