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Longest serving doctor honoured

MUMBAI, JULY 1. Dr. K Chandiramani, the 105-year-old Guiness record holder for being the longest serving medical practitioner, was today felicitated by the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, on the occasion of World Doctor's Day today.

Dr. Chandiramani, who sported a rich crown of silver-grey hair and clear skin, thanked the Chief Minister for bestowing this honour and prestige for his contribution to society.

The doctor began his career way back in 1923 when he cleared the medical examination of the Bombay University, according to Dr. Devi Chandiramani, his daughter-in-law. "He first served in the British Army and then worked for the Indian Government after independence. He set up his own dispensary after retirement, which he ran right up to the age of 100," she informs.

"However, he gave up practice at the persistence of his children, though he did so very reluctantly," she added.

The key to his longevity is a vegetarian diet, quipped the doctor adding, "I have never had any animal tissue in my life. I remain a vegetarian till date."

Not given to smoking or drinking, the doctor has always led a very disciplined life, informed Dr. Devi, a gynaecologist. His day begins at 6-30 a.m. with the reading of newspapers. He still reads them without glasses," she said adding, a daily round of `pranayam', meditation and light diet of `chappati' and vegetables formed his daily routine.

The doctor even registered himself for Sanskrit classes when he was 98 years old, Dr. Devi said. "His desire to learn inspired me so much that I too decided to learn computers at the age of 60," she added.

Dr. Chandiramani, who had patients flocking to his dispensary at Khar in suburban Mumbai till the last day of his practice, said his only motto in life has been "work is worship".

Having been one who practised under the British Raj and free India, he said earlier "there were epidemics and limited form of antibiotics. The treatment and investigation was different. The current form of MRIs and other medical investigation were lacking." And asked what has been the greatest satisfaction in his life, he said: "It's my ability to serve the people well and that I can still stand on my feet now.''

The other two doctors to be felicitated on the occasion were O.P. Kapoor and Ravi Bapat.

A well known physician, Kapoor has entered the Limca Book of Records for conducting the highest number of medical teaching sessions in the world.

PTI

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