- Department of Surgery Alumni of Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangaluru organizes Birth Centennial Commemorative CME of ‘Surgical Legend-Prof M Panduranga Pai’, along with Dept of Surgery Alumni Meet at Mangalore Club on Wednesday, 10 April 2019.
Mangaluru: 10 April 2019 would be a memorable day for many surgeons, especially for the alumni of Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangaluru, when they organized the Birth Centennial Commemorative CME and Department of Surgery Alumni Meet at Mangalore Club conference hall, where everyone had a good time sharing their views and thoughts, when they had close encounters with Prof. M P Pai, who had started the first-ever PG medical department in the erstwhile Mysore state.
Last year when the birth centennial special cover proponent was released, Dr G G Laxman Prabhu, professor and head of Urology Department at KMC had said that Prof M P Pai, a surgeon, scholar, philosopher, nationalist and a legendary teacher, was God’s gift to Mangaluru. Without his efforts, the Kasturba Medical College, the institution he served longest, could not have prided itself of the first-ever PG course in the state, in General Surgery. Over 500 surgeons have successfully completed the course started in 1963. Well said by Dr GG Prabhu, and once again on Prof M P Pai, it was indeed a kind gesture of Dr Ashfaque Mohammed and Dr Shrirama Bhat M, both surgeons at KMC to remember their mentor Dr M P Pai and organize this Birth Centennial Commemorative CME of ‘Surgical Legend-Prof M Panduranga Pai’ , along with Dept of Surgery Alumni Meet.
The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by Dr Aishwaraya of KMC, followed by welcome address by Dr Shriram Bhat M, the HOD of Dept of Surgery, Mangaluru. The programme was inaugurated by lighting of the traditional lamp by chief guest- Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, along with guest of honour- Dr V Surendra Shetty – Pro Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dr C R Ballal, renowned surgeon of Mangaluru, and Dr Alfred Augustine,the Additional Dean of KMC Mangaluru, and joined by the conveners of the event Dr Shrirama Bhat and Dr Ashfaque Mohammed.
Following the introduction of Dr C R Ballal by Dr Anand Kini, who brought back the memories of Prof M P Pai, by remembering the legend as a beloved teacher and journey in Surgery, in his long and elaborate presentation through audio/video, was highly applauded by audience. The chief guest Dr H S Ballal in his address to the audience said, ” Is it with no doubt we can name Prof M P Pai as a Surgical Legend, for all his service and commitment rendered throughout his life in that field. Apart from that He was a great teacher/lecturer who gave his best efforts and training”.
Dr Surendra Shetty and Dr Alfred Augustine also shared their thoughts about the life and journey of Prof M P Pai, who had made a big difference in the surgery section at KMC, and even today, the present doctors/surgeons express their gratitude to this great Surgical Legend of KMC. Following this the delegates were recognized for their participation by presenting them with a rose, and in reply they all expressed their thoughts on Prof M P Pai, and their great institution, KMC, Mangaluru.
After presenting mementos to the dignitaries on the dais, and as they say that being thankful and expressing your gratitude is an important part of being happy in life, and it was the turn of the “handsome looking Surgeon” clad in gorgeous suit Dr Ashfaque Mohammed to propose the vote of thanks- and he did it expressing his thoughtfulness right from his heart, not forgetting to mention Yours Truly of Mangalorean.com, which meant a lot , because not many people do that. Having sung the National Anthem, it was all revelry time. Prior to the formal programme, there was scientific session on “Hydronephrosis: A Newer Approach”by Dr GG Laxman Prabhu (HOD, Urology, KMC-Mangaluru), and “Current Concepts in Microvascular Surgery”by Dr Niranjan (Medical Director, SDM College, Dharwad)
“Who said that Surgeons can’t dance? If you did so, you are totally wrong. The body and hip shaking by the senior and young surgeons, to the pulsating hits of Bollywood and techno music belted out by Dj Collin proved that even Surgeons can have a good a good time and rock, when they are not in their white coats and stethoscopes around their necks. It was one heckuva party, a perfect way to celebrate all the good things done by Prof M P Pai, to this great institution, where the top surgeons serving the nation and the world exited out of KMC. Kudos to the conveners- Dr Ashfaque Mohammed and Dr Shrirama Bhat M for a well organized CME and Alumni Meet, which will surely remembered by all those who joined in the celebration.
Flash on Prof M Panduranga Pai:
Born on April 10, 1919, Professor M P Pai had his early education at the Canara High School and the Government College (now University College), Mangaluru. He received his medical education in Madras at Stanley Medical College and Madras Medical College. He went to England in 1952 for FRCS. On return, he set himself up in private practice at Coimbatore, which he gave up for love of teaching. This took him to Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, and then to Victoria College in Bengaluru for a while.
In 1959, he arrived in Mangaluru to join the Kasturba Medical College, which was six years old and the first private medical college in the country. He worked for 18 years in the institution and established the first-ever PG medical department in the erstwhile Mysore state and retired in 1977 as its principal. He was the prime mover in the construction and commissioning of the iconic Light House Hill KMC building, until which, the college functioned from rental premises. Those who have followed the evolution of this college opine that, but for this building, KMC, Mangaluru, would not have become independent from its earlier status of “Mangalore Section”.
About his Research-he established a research laboratory on the top floor of the college for animal experiments. Dr S R Ullal, one of the professors hand-picked by him to work here, went on to deliver the Hunterian Oration in Royal College of Surgeons, UK, on cardiac lymphatics. Professor Pai also worked at Manipal, driving till there week after week, sometimes with his patients to train students at Manipal. He was also instrumental in starting the first Burn’s Care unit in the region at Manipal.
After retirement, he moved to the Sultanate of Oman to serve as consultant surgeon and MOIC of Qaboos Hospital Salalah. He spent his sunset years in Mangaluru, when he gave the last opinion on surgical problems. According to his famous disciple Dr C R Ballal, Professor Pai was probably the last of the true breed of general surgeons. He was equally at ease performing operations on all parts of the body.
Among the many awards that came Prof Pai’s way, the Dr B C Roy Award merits mention because it was conferred for his services in teaching, which was his love. Prof Pai was also responsible for starting of Mangaluru Kendras of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Aurobindo Society, Maharshi Institute of Creative Intelligence. He recited every day the line of Taitriya Upanishad, Shikshavalli, Anuwak IV- “Pramayanthu Bhramacharina Swaha” – “May students come to me from all sides,” which summarizes the mind and heart of a great teacher. Professor Pai left for his heavenly abode on August 27, 1992.
