Prof. (Dr.) Rajendra Prasad’s life is a moving story of dedication, compassion, and quiet revolution in the fight against respiratory diseases in India. Born on February 17, 1950, in the small town of Munderwa Bazaar, Basti district, Uttar Pradesh, he grew up witnessing the silent suffering caused by tuberculosis and other lung diseases in rural communities. “When I was a child, I saw an elderly neighbor coughing endlessly, gasping for breath, asking if there was any cure. That image never left me,” he often recalls with a gentle smile. Those early memories planted the seed that would grow into a lifetime of service.

He pursued his MBBS in 1974 and MD in 1979 from the prestigious King George’s Medical College (now KGMU), Lucknow. What began as a student journey soon became a lifelong bond—he rose through the ranks to become Head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, widely regarded as the founder of the department itself.

Pioneering Moments That Changed Lives
In the late 1990s, when advanced diagnostics were rare in India, Dr. Prasad introduced video bronchoscopy at KGMU in 1999. “I remember a young patient with suspected lung cancer who came to us hopeless. After the procedure, we could diagnose and start treatment early. He later told me, ‘Doctor sahab, you gave me a second chance at life.’ Moments like these keep you going,” he shares emotionally.

In 2006, he established Uttar Pradesh’s first sleep laboratory, bringing world-class care for sleep apnea and related disorders to the region. He played a key role in expanding DOTS centers under the National TB program, helping treat multidrug-resistant TB cases and saving countless lives. Over five decades, he has personally treated more than 500,000 patients, supervised around 150 research projects, authored six books, and mentored generations of doctors.

Leadership Beyond Borders
After decades at KGMU, he served as Director of the U.P. Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Saifai) from 2011–2012, then took on the prestigious role of Director at Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), Delhi (2012–2015)—India’s premier chest disease institution. There, he modernized facilities, strengthened national programs, and inspired staff with his hands-on approach.

One touching anecdote from his VPCI days: A severely ill MDR-TB patient once said in despair, “Sir, I think this is the end.” Dr. Prasad replied calmly, “No, beta—this is where we fight together. Stick to the regimen, and we’ll win.” That patient recovered fully and still visits him years later, calling him his “life-giver.”

The Padma Shri 2026 Honor
On January 25, 2026 (Republic Day eve), the Government of India announced Padma Shri for Prof. Rajendra Prasad in recognition of his five decades of outstanding service in pulmonary medicine, TB control, and medical education. Speaking to the media, he said humbly, “This is not my achievement alone. It belongs to my teachers who shaped me, my students whose questions kept me learning, my patients who trusted me with their lives, and my family—especially my wife Meera Gupta—who supported every step without complaint.”

He added with deep gratitude: “Our journey was rooted in service. This honor only increases my responsibility to serve with more compassion and dedication.”

Today, at Era’s Lucknow Medical College, he continues as Director of Medical Education and Head of Pulmonary Medicine, still seeing patients, teaching, and guiding the next generation. His family—son Dr. Nikhil Gupta (a faculty member in Medicine) and daughter Dr. Pallavi (a dentist)—carries forward his values of empathy and excellence.

Dr. Prasad often says, “The real degree is the smile on a patient’s face when they can breathe freely again.” In an era of advanced medicine, his story reminds us that true healing comes from the heart—combined with relentless hard work and unwavering kindness. A true legend of Indian pulmonology, now rightfully celebrated with one of the nation’s highest civilian honors. 🇮🇳🩺