Dr. Tapan Kumar Lahiri — A Doctor or An Angel?
Many people in the world have left an impact on us and inspired other people also through their works and principles. “Padma Shri” awardee Dr. Tapan Kumar Lahiri of India has surprised people with his perseverance and dedication that we could not help saluting him.
The man was born in Kolkata. He studied medicine in the United States of America through the 1970s and was posted as a lecturer at Banaras Hindu University in India for Rs 250 per month. He did not get married to give service to needy patients.
Tapan Kumar Lahiri is a cardiothoracic surgeon, medical academic, and author from the state of Uttar Pradesh. He was the former Professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honor of “Padma Shri” in 2016 for his contribution to medicine. He was awarded “Padma Shri” on the occasion of Republic Day by the former President of India Shree Pranab Mukherjee.
Dr. Lakotia of BHU said, “Such a person is always ideal for all of us. Experience like him comes handy for everyone. He donates food every moment of his life for the patients. He believes that Karma made him a doctor so that he could help every needy patient.”
Though the eminent cardiologist started his career at BHU, Varanasi at Uttar Pradesh, he is today next to the God in that city. He earned his fame and respect due to his lifelong medical service to society.
Dr. Lahiri commented after receiving the “Padma Shri” award, “With the grace of Lord Vishwanath and Maa Annapurna, I will keep serving patients till my last breath. I am thankful to the government for giving me the Padma Shri award.”
Dr. Lahiri refused to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his residence. He was one of the prominent people of Varanasi whom Yogi Adityanath wanted to meet. Dr. Lahiri told the officers who were in charge of assisting him to meet the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, “If the Chief Minister wants to meet me, ask him to come to my OPD.”
After that, the meeting with the Chief Minister was postponed. Now it is said that the Chief Minister could have met Dr. Lahiri in his OPD if he wanted. But if VVIPs went there, patients might be inconvenienced! Earlier, it was reported that Dr. Lahiri had given such a reply not to meet the then Prime Minister of India, Chandra Shekhar Singh.
There really are people like Dr. Lahiri in the world. Before his retirement, his basic salary was Rs 84,000. Including other allowances, it was above Rs 1,00,000. He has been donating his entire salary to the poor since 1994. Now, after retirement, he gets enough from his pension, but takes money as much as he can eat twice a day. The rest of his pension is donated to the BHU so that the poor patients can be benefited from it.
He is still running free medical services at BHU. Dr. Lahiri is still seen walking towards home or towards the BHU hospital with a bag in one hand and a black umbrella in the other. But he is a doctor in a country like India who treats patients free of cost. People of Varanasi know him as the God. He is still following the dream of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya to establish Banaras Hindu University, the largest residential university in Asia and one of the largest in the world.
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