DR.V.SHANTA (1927 -2021)-THE DOCTOR PAR EXCELLENCE
(THE FINAL JOURNEY-Photo Credits TOI)
It is really sad that the the doyen of CANCER and chairperson of the prestigious ADYAR CANCER INSTITUTE, Chennai is no more.
At the time when Cancer was considered nothing short of a deadly killer Dr.V.Shanta took the reins and did all out efforts to prove that not only it is curable but preventable too. This doctor who cared and cured took birth on March 11,1927.She belonged to a family of achievers and awardees (her family had two Nobel Laureates ,viz.C.V.RAMAN and SUBRAHMANYAN CHANDRASEKHAR).
She did her PG in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the reputed Madras Medical college in 1955.Just after completing her specialisation she joined as resident medical officer in only a one year old cancer institute, the ADYAR CANCER INSTITUTE,CHENNAI.
From joining till death the hospital was her abode. Truly speaking she constantly lived in a room of the institute from the first day till 19th Jan,2021(Tuesday) when she expired. Calling the institute to be her baby will be no exaggeration. She pushed this 12 bedded hospital to a huge 420 bedded ONCOLOGY Centre, a centre for poor, downtrodden and needy.
This Cancer care and research institute caters to the thousands of underprivileged patients suffering from benign and malignant diseases annually and it is a no lie that at least one third of the sufferers get free treatment and stay.
Dr. Shanta worked from dawn till dusk untiringly throughout her life for each and every patient admitted to the hospital. Factually speaking she was available round the clock for them. She believed in service above self and self-reliance and was not an ordinary medico,but a doctor par excellence, researcher and an able administrator. She believed in discipline and expected the same from her juniors. This pioneer in cancer worked with devotion and dedication till her last breath. Being not a myopic visionary she could recognise very well the challenge of Oncology today……..’Early detection and Prevention’.
During her life she got decorated with several awards, to name a few….
PADAM SHREE( 1986), RAMON MAGSAYSAY (2005) PADAM BHUSHAN (2006),and PADAM VIBHUSHAN IN 2016. For a pretty long time she was on WHO ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CARCINOMAS.
TO DEMYSTIFY CANCER AND IMBIBE HOPE IN PATIENTS WAS HER MOTTO. HER DEATH IS INDEED AN IRREPARABLE LOSS TO THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY IN GENERAL AND ALL ONCOLOGISTS IN PARTICULAR.ALL DOCTORS SHOULD IDOLISE HER.
DR.SUNIL CHOPRA,LUDHIANA INDIA 9815574644
10 comments
Well written sir
Once I got a chance to meet Dr.Shanta,she was indeed a divine power for her patients.Her legacy will never fade.
Thank you Dr.Malhotra for your words of appreciation.
Dr.Chopra has penned a befitting tribute to a great person. Such people are a great source of inspiration for all of us. Their tireless and selfless service to the society is an example that everyone needs to follow. May the Almighty bestow peace on her soul.
Hat’s off to such a dedicated and untiring personality, who has given all her life to save the lives of so many people . She will be remembered by everyone for her work in the field, which she took as her first love. May God rest this pious Soul in peace.
Mr.Mohinder Desor, You have very aptly commented on my blog.The words you have selected for the departed soul are indeed befitting.
Advocate Sawhney has used the choicest words while paying a rich tribute Dr.V.Shanta.
Thanks Dr. For covering the article of such a great personality
It’s very appropriate to remember andpay respect to such a noble doctor. She was the pioneer in her field and has been honored by govt of India. Her life is worth emulating. Thanks to Dr Chopra for this well written article
Rare personality now a days very few doctors are dedicated
Thanx dr sunil for article