By Dr. Asha Shekar, Professor, Department of Physiology, MMC&RI

As the nation commemorated the ‘Pran Pratishta’ ceremony of Ram Lalla (Balak Ram) idol in Ayodhya, sculpted by Arun Yogiraj of Mysuru, it is worth reflecting on his noteworthy connection with Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI).

Notably, Yogiraj has gifted yet another remarkable creation to MMC&RI, the statue of Maharshi Sushruta, now displayed in the newly constructed Library and Lecture Hall Block.

Reflecting on 2021, amidst the global halt caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. C.G. Narasimhan (Dr. CGN), a renowned senior surgeon from Mysuru, under whom I once served as an assistant at Kamakshi Hospital, was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon a significant sighting online.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Melbourne, Australia, proudly showcased a statue of Maharshi Sushruta, often hailed as the Father of Indian Surgery, within its campus. This statue was graciously donated by Cardiovascular Surgeon Dr. K.M. Cherian.

Dr. CGN swiftly resolved to procure a statue of Sushruta, marking the third of its kind in medical colleges across India, for his alma mater, MMC&RI — one statue is at AIMS New Delhi and another at Trivandrum.

The idea took root when he reached out to Arun Yogiraj, whose father and grandfather had been his patients in years past. Arun Yogiraj, amidst his busy schedule sculpting figures like Subhas Chandra Bose, visited Dr. CGN’s residence, where they meticulously analysed the web image of Sushruta statue at The Royal College of Surgeons.

Beyond the monetary value, it was Dr. CGN’s gesture towards his alma mater that held significance. Despite Yogiraj’s ongoing projects, including the monumental Ram Lalla idol, it took nearly two years to meticulously craft Sushruta statue, evident in its intricate details captured in close-up images.

Gratitude extends to Dr. C.P. Nanjaraj, the former Dean and Director, and our current Dean & Director Dr. K.R. Dakshayini, along with Cheluvaraj (uncle of Arun Yogiraj), for their support in placing the majestic four-foot Maharshi Sushruta statue, carved from Krishna Shile, atop a two-foot pedestal in the foyer of the lecture hall and library block at MMC&RI.

We take immense pride as we walk past the serene idol of the Father of Surgery, serving as an inspiration to budding medical students. Last year, the statue was unveiled by Dr. G.N. Narayana Reddy, MMC&RI’s oldest alumnus at 92 years, and former Director of NIMHANS, Bengaluru.

Our hearts swell with pride, knowing that the sculptor behind the emotionally stirring Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya is the same artist who crafted the statue of Maharshi  Sushruta. Dr. CGN’s gesture stands as a testament to his gratitude towards his alma mater, serving to inspire the young minds of this esteemed medical college.