Mrs. Dr. Vijay Lakshmi Lahiri (often referred to as Dr. V.L. Lahiri or “Lahiri Madam”) was a pioneering pathologist and trailblazing medical educator who left an indelible mark on Sarojini Naidu Medical College (SNMC) in Agra.

Born into an era when women in medicine were still breaking barriers in India, she pursued her passion for pathology with determination and precision. She rose through the ranks at SNMC, becoming Head of the Department of Pathology from 1980 to 1995. During those 15 years, she shaped generations of doctors, emphasizing meticulous diagnosis, ethical laboratory practices, and the critical role of pathology in patient care.

One colleague fondly recalled her no-nonsense style in the lab:

“Ma’am would walk into the histopathology room, peer through the microscope, and say firmly yet kindly, ‘This slide isn’t just cells on glass—it’s someone’s story. Read it carefully, or you’re letting them down.’ We juniors trembled, but we learned to see beyond the stains.”

Her leadership extended far beyond the microscope. In 1995, she was appointed Principal and Dean of SNMC Agra, serving until 1997. In a male-dominated administrative landscape, she navigated challenges with quiet authority, improving infrastructure, mentoring faculty, and advocating for better resources in a government institution often stretched thin.

A young resident once nervously approached her during her deanship:

“Ma’am, the department needs more reagents, but budget is tight…”

She looked up from her papers, smiled slightly, and replied, “Tight budgets are excuses for lazy minds. Write the proposal, justify every rupee, and I’ll fight for it in the meeting. But remember—results matter more than requests.”

True to her word, she pushed for upgrades that benefited the entire college.

After retirement, Dr. Lahiri co-founded and managed Dr. Lahiri Pathology Centre (also known as Lahiri Pathology) near Delhi Gate in Agra, alongside her husband Dr. B. Lahiri. The lab became a trusted name in the city for accurate, timely diagnostics, continuing her commitment to accessible quality pathology services.

Even in private practice, her reputation as an educator lingered. Patients and younger pathologists sought her advice, and she remained active in professional circles, contributing to cytology and histopathology discussions.

Dr. V.L. Lahiri passed away in October 2023 after a sudden brain hemorrhage, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, mentorship, and quiet strength. To many at SNMC and in Agra’s medical community, she wasn’t just “Mrs. Dr. Lahiri”—she was the guiding hand who taught them that behind every report is a life depending on accuracy and compassion. Her story reminds us how one dedicated woman can illuminate an entire department—and an institution—for decades.