“A Century of Care: How Bombay’s Elite Built an Institution That Broke the Raj’s Glass Ceiling” is a recent Hindustan Times article (published around May 3, 2026) by Meenal Baghel. It explores the history of Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas (GS) Medical College on its centennial, amid controversy over a proposed renaming.1020

Background and Context

The piece discusses Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha’s suggestion to rename KEM Hospital (possibly to something like Kaushalyashresth Eklavya Memorial Hospital). This has sparked backlash from the medical community and alumni, including diaspora doctors trained there. The article frames renaming as part of broader decolonization efforts but argues it feels misplaced given the institution’s Indian-led origins and current challenges in public healthcare.26

Founding Story

In pre-Independence India, British-controlled Indian Medical Service (IMS) dominated medical education and practice. Indians, even highly qualified ones like Dr. KN Bahadurji (one of the first Indians with an MD from London), were barred from teaching roles at places like Grant Medical College.26

Key events leading to KEM/GS:

• 1902: Death of young Bhatia community leader Gordhandas Sunderdas Mulji; a trust was formed (involving figures like Chimanlal Setalvad and Sir Pherozeshah Mehta).
• 1907: Transfer of some healthcare responsibilities to Bombay Municipal Corporation, empowering Indian leaders.
• 1910: Death of King Edward VII, prompting memorial hospitals across the British Empire. Bombay’s elite formed the Bombay Presidency King Edward Memorial Association.

Prominent philanthropists from diverse communities contributed, including:

• Sir David Sassoon
• Sir Dinshaw Petit
• Sir Dorabji Tata
• MA Jinnah
• Others like Sir Currimbhoy Ebrahim

The Mulji family’s major donation (₹14,50,000) funded the medical college with a key condition: professors and teachers must be qualified independent Indian gentlemen, not in government service. This broke the IMS monopoly.26

The hospital (designed by British architect GW Wittet, inspired by Florence Nightingale) opened on February 15, 1926, in Parel. It was the first in India staffed and controlled by non-official Indian medical professionals — a “microcosm of the whole future of India,” per a contemporary editorial. It became a pioneer in decolonizing medical institutions.26

Broader Significance

The article highlights cross-community philanthropy creating an egalitarian public institution. It contrasts this with today’s Mumbai (with many billionaires) and declining reliance on public hospitals — only about 20% of patients in Maharashtra use them, per recent NSO data, amid rising private costs.26

Alumni emphasize systemic issues (infrastructure, trust) over renaming. Dr. Sanjay Nagral and Dr. Ravi Godse argue for building new centers of excellence rather than symbolic changes.26

A scholarly book, Annals of Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and KEM Hospital: Nationalism, Foundation and Growth, marks the centenary and details this history.26

The full article is available on the Hindustan Times website (may require subscription or app for complete access). It celebrates Indian initiative and public health legacy while critiquing modern priorities.