Dr. Tapan Kumar Lahiri (often called Prof. T.K. Lahiri or simply Dr. Lahiri by those he has touched) is the kind of doctor who makes you believe in quiet heroes. Born on January 3, 1941, in Kolkata (though some accounts tie his roots closely to Varanasi’s spirit), he grew up with a deep sense of duty that would define his entire life. He trained rigorously—earning his FRCS in Cardiac Surgery from England in 1969, followed by an M.Ch in Thoracic Surgery in 1972—and could have chased fame and fortune anywhere in the world. Big hospitals in the USA dangled high-paying offers, but he turned them all down. Why? Because his heart belonged to the poor of Varanasi.

In 1974, he stepped into Banaras Hindu University (BHU) as a humble lecturer, earning just ₹250 a month. He climbed the ladder—reader, assistant professor, professor, and eventually head of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery—without ever losing sight of why he became a doctor. He performed complex open-heart and thoracic surgeries in a department that started with limited resources: one operation theatre, a handful of ICU beds, yet he made miracles happen daily.

What truly sets him apart is his radical selflessness. Around 1994–1997, when his salary (with allowances) crossed ₹1 lakh, he stopped taking it. He donated every rupee to help poor patients afford medicines, surgeries, and care at BHU. After retiring in 2003, he became Professor Emeritus—but retirement? That word doesn’t exist for him. He kept showing up at 6 a.m., walking to the hospital with just a simple bag and umbrella, no car, no fanfare. He lives in basic campus housing, eats simple meals (often just enough from his minimal pension for two thalis a day), and donates the rest. Unmarried by choice, he poured his life into his patients, treating the underprivileged completely free, often covering costs from his own pocket.

Locals in Varanasi don’t call him “doctor”—they call him “Bhagwan” (God). Stories abound of him refusing to bend his routine for anyone. When former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar wanted a home visit, Dr. Lahiri politely declined. When Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath invited him for a personal meeting around 2018 (during a high-profile outreach in Varanasi), the response was classic Lahiri:

A coordinator approached him: “Sir, the Chief Minister wants to meet you at his residence. It’s a special invitation.”

Dr. Lahiri, calm as ever, replied: “If the Chief Minister truly wishes to meet me, please tell him to come to my OPD. My patients are waiting. I cannot leave them.”

The meeting never happened outside the hospital—because for Dr. Lahiri, the OPD is sacred ground. Patient care comes first, always. No VIP exceptions, no disruptions.

In 2016, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri, one of the nation’s highest civilian awards. When asked about it, he said humbly: “With the grace of Lord Vishwanath and Maa Annapurna, I will keep serving patients till my last breath. I am thankful to the government for this recognition.”

Even in his 80s (he’s 85 now, as of 2026), reports say he still walks those familiar paths to BHU, still sees patients, still lives simply. He once shared his guiding belief: service isn’t about fame or money—it’s about karma, about being the hands that heal when no one else will.

In a world obsessed with success measured in cars, houses, and bank balances, Dr. Lahiri walks a different path—one of quiet devotion that has saved countless lives and inspired thousands. He’s proof that true greatness often arrives on foot, with an old bag and an unbreakable commitment to the needy. If you ever visit Varanasi’s ghats or BHU’s corridors, ask around—his name still brings tears of gratitude to many eyes.

Dr. Tapan Kumar Lahiri (also known as Prof. T. K. Lahiri or Dr. T.K. Lahiri) is a renowned Indian cardiothoracic surgeon, medical academic, and a symbol of selfless service in medicine. He is widely regarded in Varanasi as a “god-like” figure for his dedication to treating poor patients free of charge.

Early Life and Education

• Born in Kolkata (some sources mention associations with Varanasi early on).
• He pursued advanced medical training abroad/in India, including:
• FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons) in Cardiac Surgery in 1969 (from England/UK institutions).
• M.Ch in Thoracic Surgery in 1972 (from an Indian institution, possibly AIIMS Delhi in related accounts).
• He also has qualifications like MBBS, MS (in General Surgery), and M.Ch (in Cardiothoracic Surgery).

Career

• Joined the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi in the early 1970s (around 1974 as a lecturer on a modest salary of ₹250 per month).
• Rose through the ranks: Reader, Assistant Professor, Professor, and Head of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
• Specialized in open-heart surgeries, thoracic procedures, and treating complex heart and lung conditions.
• Retired officially in 2003 but continued as Professor Emeritus at BHU.
• Even post-retirement (and into his 80s as of recent accounts), he maintained a rigorous routine: walking to the hospital daily (often at 6 AM), treating patients in OPD and performing surgeries, carrying just a bag and umbrella, and eating simple meals (e.g., inexpensive thalis in local spots).
• He never owned a car, lived simply in BHU campus accommodation, and remained unmarried to fully dedicate himself to serving the needy.

Philanthropy and Selfless Service

• From around 1994 (or 1997 in some reports), he stopped drawing his full salary (which exceeded ₹1 lakh including allowances at the time) and donated it entirely to help poor patients at BHU.
• Post-retirement, he accepted only a minimal portion of his pension (enough for basic meals) and donated the rest to BHU for patient care.
• He provides free treatment to underprivileged patients, often covering costs or donating to funds for surgeries and medicines.
• Turned down lucrative job offers from major hospitals in the USA and elsewhere to stay and serve in Varanasi.
• His life aligns with the philanthropic vision of BHU’s founder, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.

Awards and Recognition

• Awarded the Padma Shri (India’s fourth-highest civilian honor) in 2016 by the Government of India for his contributions to medicine and selfless service.
• Fellow of the Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons of India.
• Widely celebrated in media and social circles as an “angel” or “god” for the poor in Varanasi; locals revere him deeply.

Notable Incident

He is famously known for politely declining a personal meeting request from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (around 2018), insisting any meeting should happen at his OPD to avoid disrupting patient care—highlighting his unwavering commitment to his routine and patients.

Dr. Lahiri’s life exemplifies humility, dedication, and service above self in the medical field, inspiring generations despite operating in resource-limited settings for much of his career. As of recent reports (up to 2025–2026), he continued his service well into his 80s, vowing to treat patients “till his last breath.”