We recently lost the following highly respected and Senior Plastic Surgeons to the cruel hands of destiny. They all had been outstanding teachers and had served NABI in various capacities in some part of their respective careers. The entire Burns and Plastic Surgery fraternity shall miss them forever. With deep sorrow in our hearts, we sincerely pray to the Almighty to grant courage to the bereaved family members and give them strength to bear with this irreparable loss.

S075LF46 Prof. Cheyar Ramaswamy Sunderarajan   (1926-2008)  5, Sir P.S. Sivaswami Salai, Mylapore,    Chennai, Tamit Nadu,Pin: 600 004  Prof. C.R. Sunderarajan was a legendary figure in the field of Burns & Plastic Surgery in the country. He had retired as the Head, Department of Plastic Surgery, Madras Medical College, Chennai. He had served as the President, Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI). He was also the Past President, Association of Surgeons of India (ASI). He was the teacher of many of the present teachers. Dr. Sunderarajan breathed his last on 26 th December 2008.
S019LF122 Dr.Sukhadayal S. Sethi(1933-2009)    11-A/6, Old Rajinder Nagar ,New Delhi,  Pin: 110060    Dr. Sethi had served as the Plastic Surgeon at the Department of Burns, Plastic, Maxillofacial & Microvascular Surgery at Lok Nayak Hospital & associated Maulana Azad Medical College in late 1960's before venturing into private practice in Delhi. He was the founder President of both Indian Association of Aesthetic Laser Surgeons (IAALS) & Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (IAAPS). Dr. Sethi was an outstanding teacher, a very soft spoken individual & skilled craftsman who despite his age was always very receptive to the newer techniques & developments in Aesthetic surgery.
B023LF10 Prof. Sudhir Kumar Bhatnagar   (1942-2009)  F-2314, Rajaji Puram, Luck Uttar Pradesh, Pin: 226 017 Prof. S.K. Bhatnagar, superannuated as the Head, Department of Plastic Surgery at King George's Medical College, Lucknow. He possessed immense skills of Plastic Surgery backed up with profound theoretical knowledge. A teacher par excellence, he guided many research projects & MCh theses over the career span of more than 30 years. I am one of the few very fortunate individuals who received initial plastic surgery training under his direct supervision. Dr. Bhatnagar served various National Associations in different capacities during his illustrious career, prominent ones being the Secretary-APSI, President APSI, Secretary NABI & President NABI. He had also been the District Governer of the Lion's Club. He was the recipient of the prestigious B.C.Roy Award for an eminent teacher. He was diagnosed as suffering from gastric cancer for which he was operated upon few times in past 2 years. Till the very last, he enthusiastically discussed plastic surgery & other latest news items. He breathed his last on 27th may 2009. We all will dearly miss him for many many more years to come.
Dr. V. Sethu Dr.Setu was the Ex-Professor & Head,   Department of Plastic Surgery, Madras Medical College, Chennai. He died in a road accident on 7th January 2009. We pray to the almighty that his soul rests in peace.
Dr. Mira Sen (1934-2009)  MBBS, FRCS Former Head & Profof Plastic Surgery, National Medical College, Kolkata,West Bengal   Dr. Sen obtained MBBS from National Medical College in 1956 with honours in four subjects. She was awarded the Gold Medal for Proficiency in Medicine by National Medical College, Calcutta. She joined SSKM hospital as Lecturer in Plastic Surgery. She became the Professor and HOD of Plastic Surgery at SSKM hospital. She retired in 1994 as Prof & Head of Plastic Surgery from National Medical College, Kolkata. Dr. Sen was a teacher par excellence and was MCh examiner for many universities. Dr. Mira Sen will always be missed by one & all. All NABI members pray to the Almighty to grant courage to the bereaved family members to bear with this irreparable loss.
Dr. Deepak Ahuja A011 LF335 210, Harjinder Nagar-I, Kanpur-208007, UP We lost our dearly loved NABI member Dr.Deepak Ahuja of Kanpur to the cruel hands of destiny this year. Dr Ahuja was an Alumni of K. G's Medical College and he did his MCh from this place. He was a soft spoken, well mannered and an ever smiling person. The entire Burns & Plastic Surgery fraternity shall miss him forever. With deep sorrow in our hearts, we sincerely pray to the Almighty to grant courage to the bereaved family members & give them strength to bear with this irreparable loss.
DR.SURESH R. TAMBWEKAR, F.R.C.S.(E). T003 LF 226 14-A, Mangalwadi, Girgaum, Maharashtra. 400 004 India. We lost our much respected and dearly loved NABI member Dr.Suresh R.Tambwekar of Mumbai to the cruel hands of destiny in 2014. Trained in U.S.A. U.K. and Japan, Prof Tambwekar started Micrsurgery in India in Jan 1987. He trained and taught a large number of currently practicing plastic surgeons in our country as well as abroad. He was the President of APSI, and founded the Indian Society for Cleft Lip, Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies (ISCLP and CA). The entire Burns and plastic Surgery fraternity shall miss him forever. With deep sorrow in our hearts, we sincerely pray to the Almighty to grant courage to the bereaved family members and give them strength to bear with this irreparable loss.
Dr Anil Chaddha A very sad news that Our dear Dr Anil Chaddha passed away after fighting a serious illness on 1st July 2015. Although it was expected to happen someday , but still a disheartening  news.  Dr. Chaddha was a  thorough gentleman, an excellent  clinician, and an efficient administrator . He was a rare breed of human race, beyond comparison and who was always affectionate. He was a big fighter and fought hard to overcome such a dreadful disease  . We will always remember him as  smiling and cheerful. He was examiner for MCH exams for many young Plastic surgeons . We have lost not only a good examiner but a  good clinician , a  thorough  gentleman and an idol to be remembered  for ever. May God give rest his soul in peace . I am sure his presence in the the heavens would be enriched by his qualities and abilities . May Almighty give strength to the Family and friends to bear the loss.
Dr B M Daver Navsari Building, D Naraoji, Fort < Mumbai - 400001 It is with great sadness we announce the demise of Dr B M Daver on 25th August 2015. Our Fratinity has lost not only a great surgeon but a visionary and a great teacher. We will miss his presence in our midst. He was heading the Plastic Surgery Department in Grant Medical College and Sir J J Group of Hospitals, Mumbai. He will be missed by all his students and colleagues. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to his greived family.
Dr Suresh C Gupta Dr. Suresh C. Gupta was born on 5th October 1933 in U.P. After a distinguished academic career going through Modern School, Barakhamba Road, Delhi, he graduated from Medical College Agra with Gold Medal and Honours. He was introduced to Plastic Surgery by a person no less than Sir Harold Gillies, in 1959 at Jaipur. Thereafter, from 1960 to 1965 he worked at East Grinstead in England. He was elected a full member of British Association of Plastic Surgeons (BAPS). He joined as Hony. Civilian Consultant in Plastic Surgery to the Indian Armed Forces during the Indo Pak war in 1965. In 1965 he joined Sir Ganga Ram Hospital as an Hony. Plastic Surgeon. From 1965 to 1968 he also worked as Hony. Consultant in Plastic Surgery in Irwin Hospital (now LNJP), New Delhi. He was the first Aesthetic Surgeon of India. Dr Suresh Gupta was elected President of Association of Plastic Surgeons of India in 1977, at an early age of 44 years. He served on the executive body of the IPRAS, representing India and East. From 1987 to 1996 he served as Director of International foundation of Plastic Surgery. In 1987 he organized the World Congress of IPRAS which was a resounding success. He was awarded the lifetime achievement Award by Association of Plastic Surgeons of India in 2005. In 2011 he was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of APSI. A man of impeccable taste he thrived in dressing as elegantly as he conducted himself. A thorough professional who literally worked till the last day. Dr Gupta was an avid golfer and the weekends were reserved for this passion. He will also be remembered for the 2004 judgement where the criminal liability of a surgeon was redefined and it came as a saviour to the surgical profession in consumer liability. We pray for the departed soul. ( Dr R B Ahuja)
Dr. Jyotsana Murthy Dr. Jyotsana Murthy our NABI member passed away this year. Her passing away has left a void in many hearts. Her absence is being felt not just by us, her friends, but also by the vast number of patients and their families whose lives she touched over the 3 decades she practiced. I remember her to be someone special and to my mind the finest hand ever amongst all surgeons I have ever seen. I first saw her operating and suturing over 30years back when I was a general surgery resident and she the plastic surgery one. Her fluidity with the instruments and deft hands left me awestruck. During her last days she spent her time peacefully at the ISHA foundation.I pray her soul attains moksha On behalf of NABI, we offer our deepest condolences to her family. ( Dr Vinita Puri)
Dr.N Panchavarnam The Plastic Surgery Community lost a noble soul on 26.11.2020 when Dr.N Panchavarnam of Madurai passed away due to Covid. Infection at the age of 76 years.. Born in the town of Sivagangai in Tamil Nadu on 22nd April, 1946 he completed his MBBS at Madras Medical College and thereafter spent his entire professional lifetime in Madurai during his Post Graduation in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery from Madurai Medical College, which he completed in 1990. He retired as a Civil Surgeon from the Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai and became a full time Consultant at Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai. He started Smile Train project in 2003 at Meenakshi Mission Hospital. My memory goes to a small conversation I had with Prof. Adenwalla. During a casual conversation I was having with Prof Adenwalla, he asked me “Do you know Dr. Panchavarnam who has applied for Smile Train Project in Madurai?” I replied to him “I personally have not seen him operate Sir, but I know him as a very conscientious surgeon who talks passionately to his patients. I like him aa a good person”. Prof. Adenwalla said that quality is enough to take care of children. Prof. Adenwalla's words appear to be prophetic because Dr. Panchavarnam personally did over 13,000 Cleft Lip surgeries under the Smile Train. This number becomes even more significant when we consider that Tamil Nadu has a good healthcare system with no great backlog of unoperated clefts in the state. It shows that Dr. Panchavarnam was able to draw patients from far and wide to his centre. That is only possible when the leader is passionate, sets up systems, executes them with care and wins the trust of people. He received the Smile Train Hero award, was specially complimented by our Late President APJ Abdul Kalam. Dr. Binita Beck, Plastic Surgeon who worked along with him for most of the period at Meenakshi Mission Hospital had this to say when I asked her “What is the one thing which you remember which reflects his character the most?” Dr. Binita said “Dr. Panchavarnam was peoples' man”. As he walked along the corridor of the hospital he will be saying “Hello” and a good word to at least 30-40 persons before reaching the Plastic Surgery ward. He was genuinely concerned about patients and used to do rounds even on Sundays”. He was kind to patients and to him his life's mission was work. He was active and even post joint replacements always used the stairs. He was married to Mrs Jothimani and they were a great couple. They attended all APSICON meetings together and APSICON regulars will really miss the sight of both walking together. I spoke to him about 2 weeks before his demise and we discussed about the secondary correction of nose of cleft lip children. I always found him to be a man with simple plans. The passion and commitment with which he executed them led to excellence. This reflected not only in his clinical work but even in his presentations. We will miss you Dr Panchavarnam and on behalf of thousands of families in whole lives you made a difference I say thank you for being what you were. (Dr. S Raja Sabapathy)
Major Prof. N. Magendran Major Prof. N. Magendran who passed away in 1.11.2020, was born on 6.July.1935. in a village named Sendarapatti, Salem district in Tamilnadu. He graduated from Madurai Medical College – 1955 batch. He had his masters from Madras Medical College -1975. Served in the army in 1965 through Madras public service commission. He held major rank and employed as RMO (Regimental Medical Officer) under emergency commission, New Delhi. He served from 1965 to 1971 in the army. Joined as Lt. General and retired as Major. He worked with Prof R.Venkataswami in Stanley Medical College in 1972 and served for 3 years. He joined Mch (Plastic surgery) in Madras Medical College under Prof. C.R.Sunderarajan and passed out. He was elevated to Reader in Plastic Surgery, Coimbatore Medical College and Madurai Medical College and later joined as associate professor in Madras Medical College and retired in 1994. I had his acquittance in 1973, when I joined with Prof.Venkataswami as assistant surgeon. He was very kind, polite gentleman but his appearance is totally otherwise. Always trustable as an army doctor and friendly. He taught me the basics of hand surgery. He was a polite man but very strict in dealing with junior staff and the departmental activities. He had never any fear to express his ideas. The decision making of clinical cases was good. He also took part in administration. Though he appears tough, he was very polite and kind. I had contact with him till his last days. He got married in 1965 to Mrs.Vishalakshi alias Bhavani, who left him in 1975 with 2 kids, Kalyani and Vishwapriya. He remained Bachelor till his end and took after his two daughters. He educated them well. He breathed his last on 1.11.2020 leaving behind his brother’s family and his family and 4 grandchildren. (Prof. Balakrishnan)
Dr J.L.Shrivastav Dr J.L.Shrivastav, who left this mortal world yesterday was the first M.Ch student of Safdarjung Hospital under Dr J.L.Gupta..He joined the Department in 1966,after passing his M.S. in surgery from KGMC Lucknow..His Dexterity in surgery made him favourite student of Dr J.L.Gupta.He developed two layer pull up sutures for burried strip repair of hypospaedeous.After passing his M.Ch he became the faculty in 1971.In 1974 he organised the annual conference of APSI under the presidency of Dr J.L.Gupta.In1977 he became senior specialist and in 1983 became head of the prestigious plastic surgery department of Safdarjung Hospital.He remained in this position till his retirement in 1996 except for a small period when he was M.S. of the institution..He seved the institution well and brought many new changes. Addition of Arjo bath tub.and bathing trollies were few to remember .He was task master and always liked to perform the job well. My humble tribute may god give eternal peace to his soul. (Dr S P Bajaj)
Prof Ramesh Chandra Prof Ramesh Chandra, who was instrumental in establishing pl surgery as a speciality in UP, died of a heart attack. He was 81 and is survived by his doctor wife and two doctor sons and their families. Prof Chandra was also the principal of King George's Medical College (now KGMU) from 1998-2000 and served as the head of the plastic surgery department for 18 years (1980-1998), longest in the history of KGMU. Prof Chandra, who had many research papers to his credit, was conferred with the highest award in medical discipline— Dr BC Roy award — in 1997. The news sent shock waves in the medical and academic fraternity. Condolences poured in from across the globe. Prof Chandra's son Dr Rajiv Agarwal, who is head of plastic surgery, SGPGIMS, informed that he was a calm, disciplined, and meticulous person. We learned every nuance of the trade from him," said Prof AK Singh, vice-chancellor of AtaI Bihari Vajpayee Medical University and Prof Chandra's successor at KGMU. He was also a student of Prof Chandra. Prof Brijesh Kumar, current head of plastic surgery in KGMU, said, "Brilliant academician like Prof Chandra are a rarity nowadays."
Dr Saurabh Sharma
Dr J L Gupta
A life well lived is the most exquisite work of art. -Erwin McManus (an author, futurist, filmmaker, and fashion designer) The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. -Nelson Henderson-Scottish International Rugby Player “The rare Casuarina Bonsaree, worth approximately Rs 1.5 lakh, was stolen from the house of former Director-General of Police V. Appa Rao in the Jubilee Hills area on Monday.”-India Today Newspaper reported on January 15, 2021. The art of Bonsai has captured the imagination and interest of tree lovers for centuries and the stolen Bonsai, worth Rs 1.5 lakh, has left many wondering how these plants are valued. Dr. D.L.N Prasad (AMC’ 55), a renowned plastic surgeon from the city and the proud owner of 200 bonsais, has a very witty answer to this question. “It all depends on the willingness of the seller to sell that plant and the madness of the buyer to purchase it,” he said with a smile. He certainly toiled and grew unique trees under whose shade he never expected to sit or rest, but they gave him immense satisfaction and a purpose in life. A self-taught bonsai expert, Dr. Prasad added, “Most of the plants that I have, were grown from seeds. It’s not a quick process. It takes years to grow, nurture, and shape the plant. To grow a bonsai, one needs a lot of awareness and dedication, and that’s why it’s difficult to put a price tag on the plant. I won’t sell my plants even if someone gave me crores.” In the true sense, he is a wealthy man with hundreds of such precious gems in his possession. Dr. Prasad is the Founder of Plastic Surgery at Osmania and also in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Apart from his stature as a surgeon and Bonsai expert, he is known for his discipline and moral principles. “He is a man of ethics and norms even when dealing with pressures from the government. He always fought for the welfare of his patients. In his illustrious career as a reconstructive surgeon, he treated thousands of patients with tender love and dignity, and they consider him as a walking GOD on earth. His commitment and honesty should be emulated by every physician” comments his daughter Usha. “ He comes from an agricultural family and believes that hobbies and nature reduce stress”, she adds. No wonder he developed a hobby that involved nature and farming. He was born in 1935 in Tenali, A.P. into a family of farmers. He had his primary and secondary education in Madras and joined Andhra Medical College in 1955. He obtained an M.S. in General Surgery from AMC in 1962 and worked as an Assistant Professor at Gandhi Medical College from 1964-69. Subsequently, he started his training in Plastic Surgery at Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi in 1969 under Dr. J.L. Gupta, a renowned Plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Dr. Gupta worked closely with Dr. Chakkiri Balakrishnan, the Father of Plastic Surgery in modern India, at the Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery unit created at the Medical College of Nagpur on 16th December 1957. After completing his M.Ch in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Prasad joined the Osmania General Hospital as an O.P. Medical Officer. Inspired by Dr. C. Balakrishnan, his vision was to build a Plastic Surgery unit at Osmania General Hospital, which was to become the first such unit in Andhra Pradesh. With persistent efforts and networking with others who believed in his abilities and skills, OGH saw the First Plastic Surgery unit erected in 1972, with 34 beds for burns patients and 18 for plastic surgery. There was no separate operating theater or staff for Plastic Surgery patients. There were no separate OTs, wards, or staff for the plastic surgery. He had to share the facilities and equipment with other established specialties like Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, and General Surgery and faced intense opposition from them while performing surgeries for cleft lip, cleft palate, and burns. In 1986, 15 years after the Plastic Surgery Unit was established, postgraduate training was approved at OGH. Dr. Prasad used to collect photographs of clinical cases for effective teaching of his students. He worked closely with Dr. Raghava Reddy and performed nearly a hundred Narayan Flap reconstructions and hundreds of cleft works at OGH. The results were presented by the postgraduate students and Faculty of OGH at various national and international Plastic Surgery Conferences. Many well-recognized Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery specialists were trained at OGH under Dr. Prasad’s guidance. “He was so meticulous and graceful, no wonder he loves roses and Bonsai,” recalls one of his anesthesia colleagues. Dr. Prasad was also instrumental in establishing the Microvascular Surgery at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences. One of the remarkable accomplishments of Dr. Prasad is the Bonsai Garden concept that he envisioned and cultivated at Hyderabad. He applied his marvelous plastic surgery skills to the plant kingdom and created his magnificent Bonsai Garden with more than 200 priceless Bonsai plants. He is known to be the catalyst behind the Bonsai Garden in Ramoji Film City. He also started the Rose Society, and the Bonsai Society in Hyderabad and has been conducting annual shows for the last 50 years. The Bonsai Society of Bombay, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai invites him to give lectures and exhibit his plants. He is frequently visited by Peter Chan, a Master of Bonsai in Japan. Dr. Prasad was married to Alapati Indira, a 3 times MLA from Tenali constituency and a Z.P. Chairman of Guntur District. She was the daughter of Alapati Venkata Ramaiah, who was a freedom fighter and Endowments Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Dr. Prasad lost his beloved wife in 1987 when she was 50 years old. A man of purpose in life, he continued to give his all to patient care and his treasured Bonsai plants. Dr. Prasad has two daughters and four grandchildren. He currently lives with his second daughter, Usha in Hyderabad. Dr. Prasad has lived his life to its fullest with utmost satisfaction through his challenging career taking care of patients with deformities, while not compromising his passion and love for his special hobby. He has a special place in the history of AMC and his legacy will be cherished by the AMC community for generations to come.