Lucknow, Jan 26 (NationPress) The state capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, takes immense pride as two distinguished physicians from the city have been awarded the esteemed Padma Shri for their exceptional contributions in the realm of healthcare. The recipients are acclaimed pulmonologist and tuberculosis expert Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who formerly chaired the Department at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), alongside the respected Ayurveda surgeon K.K. Thakral.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, honored with the Padma Shri, is recognized as the pioneer of the Pulmonary Medicine Department at KGMU. His journey commenced at KGMU as a student, and he eventually ascended to the role of department head.

In a conversation with IANS, Dr. Prasad revealed insights about his family background, noting that his late father, Gopichand, was a cloth trader, while his mother, Vijay Lakshmi, was a dedicated homemaker. His son, Dr. Nikhil Gupta, is a faculty member in the Department of Medicine at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute, and his daughter, Dr. Pallavi, is a dentist.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad expressed gratitude towards his wife, Meera Gupta, and his entire family for their support in his achievements. Reflecting on nearly five decades of medical practice, he stated: "I have always fostered a warm and respectful relationship with my patients. My advice to aspiring doctors is to treat patients with empathy, as kindness accelerates recovery."

In a parallel vein, Thakral, a distinguished practitioner of Shalya Tantra (Ayurvedic surgery), has also received the Padma Shri.

Recollecting his formative years, Thakral shared with IANS: "Our family resided in what is now Pakistan, specifically the Sargodha district. We migrated to India during the Partition in 1947, settling in Yamunanagar (now in Haryana). My father was a physician, and he placed significant emphasis on our education despite the challenging circumstances we faced."

He elaborated that after completing his intermediate studies, his father enrolled him in an Ayurvedic college in Lucknow, where he underwent rigorous training for five years. "Thanks to my father’s discipline and guidance, I excelled in all subjects. The MS (Ayurveda) degree was newly introduced, and I emerged as the topper of the inaugural batch," he recalled.

Thakral completed his education in 1964 from Lucknow and in 1968 from Banaras, adhering to the principles and values he learned throughout his training. "I have served as a lecturer and professor as well. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of my patients belong to economically disadvantaged groups, including laborers and low-income families. Timely medical intervention is crucial, as it impacts not only their health but also their livelihoods," he stressed.

Emphasizing the advantages of Ayurveda, Thakral stated it is a cost-effective healthcare system that does not depend on foreign currency. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives to promote AYUSH and traditional medicine, asserting: "The healthcare landscape has evolved, and medical costs have surged in many areas. In this light, the Prime Minister’s commitment to advancing AYUSH and traditional medicine is highly commendable, serving both public and national interests."