Padm Bhushan Dr. Dukhan Ram(1899-1990)
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Dr.Dukhan Ram was born in a poor Vaisy family at Sasaram in Bihar on July 15, 1899.
He lost his father when he was only four years old. Being very poor, he could not
afford even the village Pathshala. But while looking after the village cattle he
used to watch and listen to the village teacher teaching the students. He could
recite extempore whatever the teacher taught the previous day. This caught the attention
of the teacher who was prompted to let him sit in one corner while he was teaching,
on compassionate grounds. While still very young, he used to watch with admiration
the village doctor, Dr. Jaffer Hasan, going in and out in a palanquin with village
folks bowing their heads with folded hands. He started nursing the hope to emulate
the revered doctor. It will be obvious that he surpassed his ambition in more ways
than one.
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Dr. Ram had brilliant career. He stood first in Lower Primary scholarship examination
in Sahabad district in 1908 & got Rs. 3/- per month scholarship. In 1911, he
again got the first rank in Upper Primary scholarship examination & got Rs.
4/- per month as scholarship. This enabled him to pursue his further higher education.
In addition, he supplemented his income by giving private tuition to rich students
and selling readymade garments brought from Calcutta to Sasaram during the holidays.
In 1917, he stood first in Bihar & Orisa state in Biharotkal-Sanskrit Samiti
Vyakaran examination. In next year 1918, he again stood first in Shahabad district
in matriculation exam & got admited in I.Sc. in Patna Science College.
He had early marriage in 1915 as was the custom then, with Smt. Rampyari Devi. He
joined Medical College-Calcutta, in 1920 and passed out in 1926. In the midst of
his medical education, he joined the evening B.Sc class and passed out with distinction
in 1925. He joined Patna Medical College as a House Surgeon in 1927, was selected
by the State of Bihar for post graduation in 1933. He passed both D.L.O. and DOMS
of Royal College of Surgeons, London in 1934 and returned to join as lecturer in
Eye and ENT Dept., Patna Medical College. In 1944, he was elevated to the post of
Prof. of Eye and ENT Dept. which was a combined department at Patna. During this
professorship, D.O. and D.L.O courses were started in addition to M.S. (Eye) and
M.S. (E.N.T.). He visited a number of universities in India as external examiners
and also as inspector on behalf of Indian Medical Council. He was nominated as the
member of the Governing body of A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi, by the then Health Minister
Raj Kumar Amrit Kaur and served in that capacity till the Institute was fully established.
He was conferred the title of
"Rai Saheb" in 1945. In addition
to his medical teaching and extensive practice, he was associated with a number
of social organisations in various capacities. He got elected as third President
(1935-1938) of
Akhil Bharatiya Kesarwani
Vaishy Mahasabha at Jabalpur. He served Arya Samaj as Pradhan, Bihar State
Arya Pratinidhi Sabha (1951-1986). Vice-President, All India Pratinidhi Sabha (1956),
Vice President of ninth International Arya Leauge in Jaipur and President of tenth
International Arya League at Mauritius (1975). He became the principal of Patna
Medical College in 1959 and continued in that capacity till he was elevated as the
Vice-Chancellor of Bihar University (
There was only two university then in Bihar
i.e. Patna University & Bihar University) which comprised all graduate
and post-graduate institutions in the state of Bihar, except those located at Patna.
Rajendra Medical College, Ranchi, came into being during his tenure and the seeds
of Medical College at Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur were also planted. He established
arround 50 DAV schools in Mauritius between 1976-78. Established many school in
1982-84 in backward areas of Bihar, while he was the president of Bihar Arya Samaaj.
As a Vice Chancellor, his services towards development of Science, Engineering,
Health, Animal Husbandry and Agriculture are memorable. In forties-fifties, there
was much development in Bihar in the field of Science , Medical & Agriculture.
The credit of this goes to Dr. Dukhan Ram.
In 1957, he was selected by the then President of India, Late Dr. Rajendra Prasad
to operate on his both eyes for cataract. He continued to be 'Honorary Opthalmic
Surgeon' to successive Presidents of India till late Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad.
In recognition of his services to the specialty, he was awarded "Padma Bhushan" in
the field of Medicine in 1967. He was also elected to the state assembling from
Sasaram the same year.
He was appointed as founder director of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Netra Chikitsa &
Anusandhan Kendra & served for 10 years.
He wasappointed Director of Bank of Bihar Ltd. in 1968. In the same year he was
got publicaly honoured & Abhinandan Granth was dedicated by Governor of Bihar.
In 1979 he was the Chief Guest & Oldest Boy in Centurion celebration of Patna
Medical College. He honored as
"Bihar Ratn" by Bihar Government
in 1988.
He was equally involved in the activities of the associations of Eye and ENT Surgeons
both at the State and All India level. The state unit of A.O.I. was formed under
his Presidentship in 1952. He was the Chairman, organising committee of the annual
conferences of A.O.I. held at Patna in 1952 and at Jamshedpur in 1956. He presided
over the all India annual conferences of ENT and also Eye held at Hyderabad in the
year 1953 and 1961 respectively.
In 1933 he went to abroad for study. Later in 1949 he again went to abroad thro'
Traveling Fellowship scheme of Indian Government of India. In 1958, he went to represent
Commonwelth University conferences at Totanto Montreal, California, as Vice Chancellor
of Bihar University.
He was actively associated with furthering of the cause of the two specialties at
national and international levels. Himself a meticulous and natural surgeon, he
trained a number of competent and expert surgeons. This was an effortless surgery
and it was a privilege and pleasure to watch him operate. His tissue respect was
legendary quoted by contemporary surgeons to emulate. He was so devoted to his profession
that in spite of ill health he examined his patients till two days before he passed
away at Patna on April 16, 1990. In addition he was a very good orator. His speeches
were laced with quotations in Sanskrit and sprinkled with humor.
He left behind six children, two sons and a daughter being doctors. His wife predeceased
him by two years. He has left behind a number of students, admirers and well-wishers
who celebrate his birth day as a solemn occasion. Not only the people of Bihar,
but the whole of India feels the loss of the great soul. He loved the people and
in return people also loved him in ample measure.
Let his soul rest in peace.
Source:http://www.biharonline.com/aoicon/dkram.php
..... Last updated on 10/10/2008
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