Biography Addition: Dr. G.G. Dhir – The Jolly Dermatologist

In an era when dermatologists were a rare breed in India, Dr. G.G. Dhir stood out as one of the pioneering specialists in skin diseases. Born on fifteenth September 1945 in Mogha Punjab, he was a proud Punjabi through and through, he spoke English with a rich, unmistakable Punjabi accent that somehow made even the most technical medical terms sound warm and approachable.

As a young medical student, Dr. P.K. Gupta had the privilege of being Dr. Dhir’s intern and later house physician. “Those were the days when we truly learned medicine at the bedside,” Dr. Gupta recalls fondly. “Dr. Dhir took our skin lectures himself, and he had this magical way of turning a dry subject into pure entertainment.”

During one memorable lecture on pruritus, Dr. Dhir paused dramatically, leaned forward, and declared in his rolling Punjabi cadence: “Arre, the itching ones… itch is the greatest pleasure on earth, yaar!”, followed by “Khjalo khujali and enjoy “The entire lecture hall erupted in thunderous laughter, with the backbenchers laughing the loudest, as always.

He loved teasing the interns gently. Walking into the ward, he’d overhear two juniors whispering in mock seriousness: “Ho gaya ya nahi?” (“Is it done or not?”) One would give the other a conspiratorial nod, and before they could finish their little act, Dr. Dhir would catch on and grin. The backbenchers—now scattered among the ward rounds—would burst into knowing laughter again, and even the strictest ward sister couldn’t hide her smile.

Yet beneath the jovial exterior was a deeply committed physician who demanded excellence. Dr. Gupta remembers one tense moment vividly: “I had forgotten to carry out an important instruction for a seriously ill admitted patient. Dr. Dhir pulled me aside, his face stern, and said, ‘Beta, if you do this again, I will give you two tight slaps!’ I knew he was deadly serious in that moment—he cared that much about his patients. But five minutes later, he was back to his cheerful self, cracking a joke with the nurses.”

Overall, Dr. G.G. Dhir was the quintessential jolly good fellow of the department. He shared an easy camaraderie with colleagues like Dr. R.K. Jain and Dr. M.M. Singh, often seen chatting and laughing together in the doctors’ room over cups of cutting chai. His infectious laughter, sharp clinical acumen, and genuine affection for teaching left an indelible mark on an entire generation of young doctors—who still smile whenever they remember the man who taught them that medicine could be rigorous and joyful at the same time.

In the bustling lanes of Agra, near the historic Taj Mahal, there was a clinic that drew people from far and wide—not for sightseeing, but for hope. Dr. G.G. Dhir’s Skin & Laser Centre in Bagh Farzana, Civil Lines, was more than just a medical spot; it was a beacon for anyone battling stubborn skin woes.

Picture this: A young woman named Priya, plagued by chronic eczema for years, finally musters the courage to visit after hearing whispers from friends. She walks into the crowded waiting room, nervous, her skin inflamed and itchy.

“Next!” barks the compounder.

Priya enters the consultation room. Dr. Dhir, a stern-faced man in his 70s with sharp eyes and decades of experience, glances up from his desk.

“What’s the problem?” he asks bluntly, no small talk.

She explains her story—failed treatments from Mumbai specialists, expensive creams that did nothing.

He examines her skin quickly, nods, and scribbles a prescription. “Take this exactly as I say. No fancy lotions. Come back in a month.”

“But Doctor sahab, others said it might be lifelong…”

He looks her straight in the eye. “Nonsense. I’ve seen worse. Follow this, and it’ll clear up. Don’t waste money elsewhere.”

A month later, Priya returns, her skin dramatically better. “Doctor, it’s a miracle! How did you…?”

Dr. Dhir smirks faintly. “No miracle. Just proper medicine. Now go, and don’t scratch!”

Stories like Priya’s were common. Dr. G.G. Dhir, often called the “best skin doctor in Agra,” had a reputation that spread like wildfire. From 1987 to 2004, he headed the Dermatology Department at S.N. Medical College, training generations of doctors and treating countless patients. Even after retiring, he continued at his private clinic, mastering conditions like psoriasis, allergies, eczema, and introducing laser treatments to the region.

Patients traveled hundreds of kilometers for his expertise. One man recalled, “I drove 200 km just for him. His treatment was cheap, quick, and it worked—better than any big-city doctor.”

But Dr. Dhir wasn’t all warm fuzzies. Reviews painted a colorful picture: brilliant but blunt. “He’s rude sometimes,” some grumbled. “Staff is chaotic, no proper queue, and he doesn’t sugarcoat.” Yet even critics admitted, “The man knows skin like no one else. Arrogant? Maybe. But he’s one of the top dermatologists in India.”

Another patient shared: “He scolded me for not following instructions earlier, but his prescription cured my allergies in weeks after others failed.”

On January 4, 2024—exactly two years ago today—Agra lost its iconic healer. At around 78-80 years old, Dr. Dhir passed away from complications of pneumonia. The news sent shockwaves through the medical community. “A wave of mourning,” local reports said. He left behind his wife and two sons, a legacy of healed skin, and countless grateful patients.

Today, his clinic’s story echoes in memories. Though he’s gone, Dr. G.G. Dhir remains a legend—the no-nonsense doctor who fixed what others couldn’t, proving that sometimes, the gruffest healers leave the deepest impact. If you ever hear an old-timer in Agra say, “Go to Dr. Dhir,” with a knowing smile… well, you’ll understand why.