T. K. Lahiri

Dr. Prof. T. K. Lahiri
Born	3 January 1941 (1941-01-03) (age 83) Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Nationality	Indian
Education	M.B.B.S, F.R.C.S, MCh.
Occupation(s)	Cardiothoracic surgeon Medical academic
Years active	Since 1972
Employer	Banaras Hindu University
Organization	IMS-BHU
Known for	Cardiothoracic surgery
Spouse	Unmarried
Awards	Padma Shri

Tapan Kumar Lahiri is an Indian cardiothoracic surgeon, medical academic and writer from the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.^[1] He is a former professor at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University.^[2] The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2016, for his contributions to medicine.^[3]

Biography

Born in Kolkata, he has done FRCS in Cardiac surgery in 1969 in England and an M.Ch in thoracic surgery in 1972 from the same institution before starting his career as a member of faculty at the Institute of Medical Sciences of BHU where he held the posts of a reader, assistant professor, professor and head of the department of cardiothoracic surgery.^[4] Post-retirement in 2003,^[5] Dr. Lahiri assumed the position of professor emeritus at BHU, opting not to receive a salary and continuing to provide free medical services.^[6] Prior to retirement, his basic salary, including allowances, exceeded Rs 1,00,000, of which he began donating the entire amount to the poor from 1994. Despite now receiving a pension, he humbly accepts only the funds necessary for two meals a day, generously donating the surplus to BHU to aid impoverished patients.^[7] The Government of India recognized his altruism with the Padma Shri in 2016.^[8]^[9] Dr. Lahiri’s commitment extends beyond his professional life, aligning with the philanthropic ideals of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya’s vision for Banaras Hindu University.^[10]

Dr. Lahiri's unwavering commitment to prioritizing the needs of his patients and maintaining the sanctity of his professional space is truly commendable. In a display of exceptional integrity, he declined to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his residence, insisting that if the Chief Minister wished to meet him, he should visit his OPD. This principled stance, reminiscent of a similar decision in the past regarding a meeting with the Prime Minister, underscores Dr. Lahiri's dedication to his medical practice and the well-being of those under his care.^[11]

References

^ "Dr V Shanta gets Padma Vibhushan; Padma Bhushan for Dr D Nageshwar Reddy". India Medical Times. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
^ "Felicitation of Retired Teachers - Prof.T.K.Lahiri". Banaras Hindu University. 2016. Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
^ "Minutes of the last meeting of the Ethics Committee" (PDF). Medical Council of India. 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
^ "Singer, archer, surgeon and more". Hindustan Times. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
^ "Faculty". Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University. 2016. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
^ "Dr. Tapan Kumar Lahiri – A Doctor or An Angel? | Bigumbrella". 4 June 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
^ "IMA Congratulates all Padma Awardee Doctors of the year 2016". Web report. Indian Medical Association. 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
^ "Padma Awards | Interactive Dashboard". www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
^ "लोग इस शख्स को कहते हैं महापुरुष और भगवान, दिल जीतने वाला है इनका काम". Dainik Bhaskar.
^ Umbrella, Big (4 June 2022). "Dr. Tapan Kumar Lahiri — A Doctor or An Angel?". Medium. Retrieved 14 January 2024.