Dr. Viswanathan Shanta (11 March 1927 – 19 January 2021) was an Indian oncologist who spent nearly seven decades making cancer care accessible, affordable, and compassionate. She helped transform a 12-bed cottage hospital into the world-class Adyar Cancer Institute (WIA) in Chennai and became known as a “Mother of Oncology in India.” Born in Mylapore, […]
Dr. Santosh Kumar Kacker is a distinguished Indian otorhinolaryngologist (ENT specialist) and former Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. He is known for his long service in clinical practice, teaching, research, and contributions to care for the communication-handicapped. He graduated with an MBBS from King George’s Medical College (now […]
Dr. Farokh Erach Udwadia (born 7 April 1931) is one of India’s most respected physicians, a pioneer of critical care and intensive respiratory medicine, and a legendary diagnostician often called the “Sherlock Holmes of Indian medicine.” A Padma Bhushan awardee, he has spent more than six decades practising the art of medicine with exceptional skill, […]
Dr. Daljit Singh (11 October 1934 – 27 December 2017) was a pioneering Indian ophthalmologist who restored sight to thousands and transformed cataract surgery in the country. Known as the father of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in India, he combined surgical innovation with deep compassion and a lifelong commitment to serving the poor. Born in […]
Dr. Harbans Singh Wasir (13 August 1937 – 23 August 2004) was a pioneering Indian cardiologist, teacher, researcher and writer who helped shape modern cardiology in the country. As Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, he was especially known for his work […]
Dr. Prabhu Dayal Nigam (c. 1933 – 2021) was a pioneering Indian interventional cardiologist and medical academic who founded the Department of Cardiology at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (formerly Willingdon Hospital) in New Delhi. He played a key role in developing modern cardiac care and interventional techniques in India. He earned his MBBS from […]
Dr. Prem K. Kakar is an Indian ENT (otorhinolaryngology) specialist based in New Delhi, known for his long clinical practice in ear, nose and throat surgery. He obtained his MS in ENT from Patna Medical College in 1959 and later earned the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) from London in 1984. With […]
Dr. Saroj Gupta (5 December 1929 – 21 May 2010) was a pioneering Indian radiation oncologist who founded one of eastern India’s most important centres for affordable cancer care. He is remembered for turning a small welfare home into a full-fledged modern cancer hospital that prioritised treatment for the underprivileged. Born in a middle-class Bengali […]
Dr. Pratury Tirumala Rao (also spelled Pratury Trirumala Rao; died 1997) was an eminent Indian pediatrician, medical educator and writer. He is remembered for his contributions to child health, especially in the context of developing countries, and for his scholarly and literary work. Born in Andhra Pradesh, he rose to become Professor of Pediatrics at […]
Dr. Vitthalbhai Chotabhai Patel (1932 – January 2014), commonly known as Dr. Vitthalbhai Patel, was a distinguished Indian surgeon, medical educationist and public figure from Gujarat. He received the Padma Shri in 1989 and the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award for his contributions to socio-medical relief and medical education. Born in 1932 into a business […]
Dr. Banoo Jehangir Coyaji (7 September 1917 – 15 July 2004) was a pioneering Indian physician, obstetrician-gynaecologist and public-health activist. She transformed a small maternity hospital in Pune into a major teaching and research institution and pioneered community-based family planning and rural health programmes that later influenced models across the developing world. Born Banoo Pestonji […]
Prof. Prakash Narain Tandon (born 13 August 1928) is one of India’s most distinguished neurosurgeons and neuroscientists. He founded the Department of Neurosurgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, trained generations of neurosurgeons, and played a pivotal role in establishing dedicated brain research in the country. Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, […]
Dr. Bal Krishna Goyal (also known as B.K. Goyal or Bal Krishan Goyal; 19 November 1935 – 20 February 2018) was one of India’s most distinguished cardiologists and medical educationists. He was the only cardiologist outside the United States to serve as Honorary Consultant Cardiologist to the world-famous Texas Heart Institute in Houston, and he […]
Dr. R. Marthanda Varma (Ravivarma Marthanda Varma; died 10 March 2015) was a pioneering Indian neurosurgeon, one of the first five neurosurgeons in the country, and the founder-director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru. He developed a surgical procedure for Parkinson’s disease that came to be known as “Varma’s […]
Dr. M. Khalilullah (Mohammad / Mohd. Khalilullah) is a pioneering Indian cardiologist who developed the country’s first indigenous pacemaker and played a foundational role in establishing modern cardiology, electrophysiology and interventional techniques in India. He is a former Honorary Physician to the President of India and a recipient of the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and […]
Dr. Ashok C. Shroff (often referred to as A.K. Shroff or Dr. Ashok Shroff) is a distinguished Indian ophthalmologist and a leading figure in modern eye care in the country. He received the Padma Shri in 1990 for his contributions to ophthalmology. He completed his MS in Ophthalmology and further qualifications including D.O.M.S. and D.O. […]
Dr. Madhav Gajanan Deo (born 6 April 1932), popularly known as M.G. Deo, is an eminent Indian oncologist, pathologist and medical educationist. He is recognised for his pioneering work in molecular medicine, cancer research and the promotion of scientific collaboration in India. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1990. Born in […]
Dr. Shrinivas S. Vaishya (born 7 January 1947) is an Indian physician known for his long service in public health administration, particularly in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2012. Born in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, he graduated in medicine (MBBS) from Goa Medical College […]
Dr. Noshir Hormasji Antia (8 February 1922 – 26 June 2007), often known as N.H. Antia or Noshir H. Antia, was a pioneering Indian plastic surgeon and social worker. He is remembered for founding one of India’s earliest dedicated plastic surgery units, for his groundbreaking work in reconstructive surgery for leprosy patients, and for his […]
Dr. Pylore Krishnaier Rajagopalan (also known as P.K. Rajagopalan; 27 October 1930 – 29 April 2024) was a pioneering Indian vector-control scientist, biologist and acarologist. He made major contributions to the control of vector-borne diseases in India and served as the founding director of the Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) in Pondicherry (now Puducherry). The […]
Prof. Shanmugam Kameswaran (1923 – 26 June 2021) was a pioneering Indian otorhinolaryngologist (ENT surgeon), teacher and institution-builder. He served as the longest-serving Director of the Institute of Otorhinolaryngology at Madras Medical College and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1990 as well as the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award. Born in 1923, he completed […]
Dr. M. Krishna Bhargava (Mallappa Krishna Bhargava; 17 July 1927 – 20 June 2009) was a distinguished Indian pathologist, cancer administrator and institution-builder. He is best remembered for transforming the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bangalore from a small 50-bed hospital into a major regional cancer centre. The Government of India awarded him the […]
Dr. Muthu Krishna Mani (commonly known as M.K. Mani) is a pioneering Indian nephrologist widely regarded as one of the founders of modern nephrology in the country. He served for many years as Chief of the Department of Nephrology at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, and is best known for his expertise in the management of renal […]
Dr. Prathap Chandra Reddy (born 5 February 1933), popularly known as Prathap C. Reddy, is an Indian cardiologist and entrepreneur who founded Apollo Hospitals, India’s first major corporate hospital chain. He is widely credited with transforming private healthcare in the country and making advanced medical care more accessible. The Government of India awarded him the […]
The Man Who Looked into the Eyes of Presidents Vipin Buckshey was only twenty-two when he walked out of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1977 with an optometry degree in his hand and a quiet fire in his heart. Born in Gwalior on 3 June 1955, he had studied at Frank Anthony […]
Dr. Shiela Mehra (also spelled Sheila Mehra) is a distinguished Indian gynaecologist and obstetrician, known for her long service in women’s healthcare and her leadership at Moolchand Hospital in New Delhi. The Government of India awarded her the Padma Shri in 1991. She graduated from Lady Hardinge Medical College in 1959. She then went to […]
Dr. Govind Narain Malviya (G.N. Malviya) is an Indian physician and leprologist known for his pioneering work in the treatment, reconstructive surgery, and rehabilitation of people affected by leprosy. He served as Deputy Director and later as Head and Scientist G in the Department of Reconstructive Surgery at the Central JALMA Institute for Leprosy (now […]
Dr. Jagdish Prasad is a renowned Indian cardiologist and cardiac surgeon, former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Government of India, and a Padma Shri awardee (1991). He is widely known for his clinical work in heart disease and for providing free treatment to many patients over a long career. Hailing from Nalanda […]
Dr. Jai Pal Singh (13 May 1930 – 24 September 1997) was a distinguished Indian surgeon, medical educator and administrator. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991 for his contributions to surgery and medical education. Born on 13 May 1930 in the cantonment town of Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, to Dr. Yogendra Singh (a medical […]
Dr. Kotturathu Mammen Cherian (K.M. Cherian; 8 March 1942 – 25 January 2025) was a pioneering Indian cardiac surgeon, widely regarded as one of the fathers of modern heart surgery and paediatric cardiac surgery in the country. He performed India’s first successful coronary artery bypass surgery and the country’s first heart-lung transplant. The Government of […]
Dr. Jitendra Nath Pande (J.N. Pande; 14 June 1941 – 23 May 2020) was a pioneering Indian pulmonologist, clinician and medical educator. He served as Professor and Head of the Department of Medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and is remembered as one of the founders of modern respiratory […]
Dr. Narendra Kumar Pandey (N.K. Pandey) is a distinguished Indian surgeon specialising in general, laparoscopic and thoracic surgery. He is the founder, Chairman and Managing Director of the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Faridabad and a recipient of the Padma Shri (2014) and the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award. Born on 1 January […]
Dr. Naresh Trehan (born 12 August 1946) is one of India’s most celebrated cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeons. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta – The Medicity in Gurugram and has performed more than 48,000 successful open-heart surgeries. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1991 and the Padma Bhushan […]
Dr. Ravinder Kumar Bali (R.K. Bali) is a prominent Indian dental surgeon and public health dentistry specialist. He is best known as the Founder President of the Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry (IAPHD), established in 1993, and has played a key role in promoting preventive and community oral health across India. He holds a […]
Dr. Mohinder Nath Passey (M.N. Passey; 1934 – 30 May 2002) was an Indian physician and rheumatologist who served as an honorary physician to the President of India. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1991. Born in 1934 (in Lahore, then part of undivided India; the family later settled in Gwalior […]
Dr. Rustom Phiroze Soonawala (also known as Rustom P. Soonawala or R.P. Soonawala; 4 December 1928 – January 2025) was a pioneering Indian obstetrician and gynaecologist. He received the Padma Shri in 1991 for his contributions to family planning and women’s health. Born into a medical family in Mumbai, young Rustom often accompanied his father […]
Dr. Susil Chandra Munshi (also spelled Sushil Chandra Munshi or S.C. Munshi) is a distinguished Indian interventional cardiologist. He serves as Director of the Department of Cardiac Research and Education and Honorary Consultant in Cardiology at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1991. A Fellow of the American […]
Dr. Sneh Bhargava (born 23 June 1930) is a pioneering Indian radiologist and the first — and so far only — woman to serve as Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. She received the Padma Shri in 1991 for her contributions to medicine. Born in 1930 in Ferozepur (then […]
Dr. Man Mohan Singh Ahuja (M.M.S. Ahuja; 16 August 1929 – 12 July 1998) was a pioneering Indian physician and endocrinologist. He played a foundational role in establishing modern endocrinology and diabetes care in India and received the Padma Shri in 1991. Born in 1929 in Multan (then in British India, now Pakistan), he began […]
Dr. Sivaramakrishna Iyer Padmavati (S.I. Padmavati or S. Padmavati; 20 June 1917 – 29 August 2020) was India’s first woman cardiologist and one of the true pioneers of modern cardiology in the country. She received the Padma Bhushan in 1967 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1992. Born on 20 June 1917 in Magwe, Burma (now […]
Dr. Ramachandra Dattatraya Lele (R.D. Lele; 16 January 1928 – 24 June 2022) was a pioneering Indian physician widely regarded as the Father of Nuclear Medicine in India. He received the Padma Bhushan in 1992. Born on 16 January 1928, he trained in medicine and later developed a deep interest in the medical applications of […]
Dr. Thayil John Cherian (popularly known as T.J. Cherian or TJC; 29 August 1920 – 6 March 2006) was a pioneering Indian cardiothoracic surgeon from Kerala, known for his skill, social commitment and compassionate approach to patients. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. Born […]
Hakim Abdul Hameed (14 September 1908 – 22 July 1999) was a distinguished Indian Unani physician, educationist and philanthropist. He was the founder-chancellor of Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University) and a former chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1965 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. Born on […]
Dr. Gursaran Prasad Talwar (G.P. Talwar, also known as Pran Talwar; born 2 October 1926) is a pioneering Indian biochemist and immunologist. He is widely regarded as the father of immunology in India and is best known for developing the world’s first leprosy vaccine and advancing research in immunocontraception. He received the Padma Bhushan in […]
Vaidya Brihaspati Dev Triguna (21 June 1920 – 1 January 2013) was a renowned Indian Ayurvedic physician and one of the foremost experts in pulse diagnosis (Nadi Vaidyam). He received the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2003. Born on 21 June 1920 in Bara Pind, Jalandhar district, Punjab, he trained in […]
Dr. Amrit Kaur Tewari (also known as Amrit Tewari; 5 September 1938 – 13 January 2018) was a pioneering Indian paediatric dentist and dental academic. She served as Dean of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, and as Head of its Oral Health Sciences Centre. The Government of India awarded […]
The Light Behind the EyesA story of Janardan Shankar Mahashabde In the bustling lanes of Indore in the middle of the last century, where the air carried the scent of spices and the distant clang of temple bells, a young man named Janardan Shankar Mahashabde walked with a quiet intensity. The city was changing—India newly […]
Dr. Sohrabji Pestonji Shroff (S. P. Shroff / Sorabji P. Shroff)The ophthalmologist who turned a single room into a century of sight In the early years of the twentieth century, when blindness was too often accepted as fate in India, a young Parsi ophthalmologist returned home with a different conviction. Sohrabji Pestonji Shroff began practising […]
Lt. Col. George William Gregory BirdThe British haematologist who gave India its first organised blood bank George William Gregory Bird was born on 7 November 1916. He qualified in medicine in 1941 and almost immediately joined the British Army Medical Corps. During the Second World War he served with Base Transfusion Units in the Middle […]
Dr. Chintaman Govind PanditThe virologist who built the scientific backbone of medical research in free India Chintaman Govind Pandit was born on 25 July 1895. A brilliant student, he graduated in medicine from Grant Medical College, Bombay, and soon left for London on a scholarship. In 1922 he became the first person to receive a […]
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