Dr. K.M. Cherian, a towering figure in Indian medical history and a renowned cardiac surgeon, passed away on Saturday night in Bengaluru at the age of 82. His sudden death cast a pall over the nation, leaving a void in the field of cardiology and beyond. He had travelled to Bengaluru to attend a wedding when he unexpectedly collapsed.

His daughter, Sandhya Cherian, confirmed the tragic news, stating that he was rushed to Manipal Hospitals, where he was pronounced dead at 11:55 pm. The medical community mourns the loss of a true giant, a pioneer whose contributions reshaped the landscape of cardiac surgery in India.

Dr. Cherian’s legacy extends far beyond his impressive list of accomplishments. His pioneering spirit led him to achieve what was once considered impossible in India. In 1975, he etched his name into the annals of medical history by becoming the first surgeon in the country to successfully perform a coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

This groundbreaking achievement marked a turning point, paving the way for countless life-saving procedures and advancements in the field. His expertise and dedication earned him international acclaim, transcending geographical boundaries and establishing him as a leading authority in cardiac surgery.

His profound impact on the medical landscape is further exemplified by his instrumental role in the establishment and growth of the Madras Medical Mission (MMM) in Chennai. As Founder, Vice President, and Director of this leading healthcare institution, Dr. Cherian spearheaded its development into a centre of excellence for cardiac care. His vision and leadership nurtured a culture of innovation and excellence, shaping generations of medical professionals and leaving an indelible mark on the institution.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Cherian was recognised for his exceptional qualities and numerous accolades. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine in London, an Honorary Member of the Malaysian Association for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award from the Government of India in 1991. These honours reflected not only his exceptional surgical skills but also his unwavering commitment to medical excellence and ethical practice.

Even in his final days, Dr. Cherian’s dedication to his profession and his unwavering belief in the importance of compassionate patient care shone through. Just a day before his passing, he participated in the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode, where he shared his insights and experiences, emphasizing the crucial role of empathy in the doctor-patient relationship.

His words resonated deeply with the audience, underscoring his dedication to ethical medical practice and leaving a lasting impression. The nation mourns the loss of a remarkable individual, a medical visionary whose contributions continue to shape the future of cardiac care in India. His memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

The central government announced the recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards on Saturday. These awards, conferred annually on the eve of Republic Day, represent India’s highest civilian honours. They are presented in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (for distinguished service of a higher order), and Padma Shri (for distinguished service).

The awards recognize outstanding achievements across all fields, with a focus on public service. The recipients are selected by a committee appointed by the Prime Minister.

This year, a total of 199 awards were presented: 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri. The President of India bestows these awards at a formal ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan, typically held in March or April.

List of Padma Award Winners 2024:

Padma Vibhushan:

• Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy
• Justice (Retd.) Jagdish Singh Khehar
• Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia
• Lakshminarayana Subramaniam
• MT Vasudevan Nair (Posthumous)
• Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous)
• Sharda Sinha (Posthumous)

Padma Bhushan:

• A Surya Prakash
• Anant Nag
• Bibek Debroy (Posthumous)
• Jatin Goswami
• Jose Chacko Periappuram
• Kailash Nath Dikshit
• Manohar Joshi (Posthumous)
• Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti
• Nandamuri Balakrishna
• PR Sreejesh
• Pankaj Patel
• Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous)
• Rambahadur Rai
• Sadhvi Ritambhara
• S Ajith Kumar
• Shekhar Kapur
• Shobana Chandrakumar
• Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous)
• Vinod Dham

Padma Shri:

• Advaita Charan Gadanayak
• Achyut Ramchandra Palav
• Ajay V Bhatt
• Anil Kumar Boro
• Arijit Singh
• Arundhati Bhattacharya
• Arunoday Saha
• Arvind Sharma
• Ashok Kumar Mahapatra
• Ashok Laxman Saraf
• Ashutosh Sharma
• Ashwini Bhide Deshpande
• Baijnath Maharaj
• Barry Godfray John
• Begam Batool
• Bharat Gupt
• Bheru Singh Chouhan
• Bhim Singh Bhavesh
• Bhimawa Doddabalappa Shiilekyathara
• Budhendra Kumar Jain
• C S Vaidyanathan
• Chaitram Deochand Pawar
• Chandrakant Sheth (Posthumous)
• Chandrakant Sompura
• Chetan E Chitnis
• David R Syiemlieh
• Durga Charan Ranbir
• Farooq Ahmad Mir
• Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid
• Gita Upadhyay
• Gokul Chandra Das
• Guruvayur Dorai
• Harchandan Singh Bhatty
• Hariman Sharma
• Harjinder Singh Srinagar Wale
• Harvinder Singh
• Hassan Raghu
• Hemant Kumar
• Hriday Narayan Dixit
• Hugh and Colleen Gantzer (Posthumous)
• Inivalappil Mani Vijayan
• Jagadish Joshila
• Jaspinder Narula
• Jonas Masetti
• Joynacharan Bathari
• Jumde Yomgam Gamlin
• K. Damodaran
• K L Krishna
• K Omanakutty Amma
• Kishore Kunal (Posthumous)
• L Hangthing
• Lakshmipathy Ramasubbaiyer
• Lalit Kumar Mangotra
• Lama Lobzang (Posthumous)
• Libia Lobo Sardesai
• M D Srinivas
• Madugula Nagaphani Sarma
• Mahabir Nayak
• Mamata Shankar
• Manda Krishna Madiga
• Maruti Bhujangrao Chitampalli
• Miriyala Apparao (Posthumous)
• Nagendra Nath Roy
• Narayan (Bhulai Bhai) (Posthumous)
• Naren Gurung
• Neerja Bhatla
• Nirmala Devi
• Nitin Nohria
• Onkar Singh Pahwa
• P Datchanamoorthy
• Pandi Ram Mandavi
• Parmar Lavjibhai Nagjibhai
• Pawan Goenka
• Prashanth Prakash
• Pratibha Satpathy
• Purisai Kannappa Sambandan
• R Ashwin
• R G Chandramogan
• Radha Bahin Bhatt
• Radhakrishnan Devasenapathy
• Ramdarash Mishra
• Ranendra Bhanu Majumdar
• Ratan Kumar Parimoo
• Reba Kanta Mahanta
• Renthlei Lalrawna
• Ricky Gyan Kej
• Sajjan Bhajanka
• Sally Holkar
• Sant Ram Deswal
• Satyapal Singh
• Seeni Viswanathan
• Sethuraman Panchanathan
• Sheikha Shaikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
• Sheen Kaaf Nizam (Shiv Kishan Bissa)
• Shyam Bihari Agrawal
• Soniya Nityanand
• Stephen Knapp
• Subhash Khetulal Sharma
• Suresh Harilal Soni
• Surinder Kumar Vasal
• Swami Pradiptananda (Kartik Maharaj)
• Syed Ainu Hasan
• Tejendra Narayan Majumdar
• Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi
• Tushar Durgeshbhai Shukla
• Vadiraj Raghavendracharya Panchamukhi
• Vasudeo Kamath
• Velu Assaan
• Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar
• Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji Maharaj
• Vijayalakshmi Deshamane
• Vilas Dangre
• Vinayak Lohani

Note that “(Posthumous)” indicates the award was given posthumously.

At the 76th Republic Day celebration in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday asserted the importance of unity and understanding in a diverse society. His speech, delivered after unfurling the national flag at a local college, extended beyond the celebratory aspects of the day, focusing on the responsibilities inherent in Indian citizenship.

Bhagwat’s central theme revolved around the need for societal cohesion, a concept he presented as crucial for harmonious coexistence. He acknowledged the presence of diversity within India, contrasting the nation’s approach with global conflicts often fueled by similar differences.

He argued that while individual distinctions and specializations should be respected, they should not overshadow the paramount importance of mutual respect and collaborative living. His analogy extended to the familial and community levels; just as a family requires harmony for its well-being, so too does a town and, ultimately, the nation. Internal conflicts, he implied, undermine the collective good.

He further emphasised the critical role of knowledge and dedication in achieving individual and societal success. Bhagwat used the simple act of cooking rice as a powerful metaphor. He explained that simply possessing the ingredients – rice, water, and heat – is insufficient; the knowledge of how to combine them properly is essential for a successful outcome.

Attempting a task without understanding, he warned, is akin to acting like a “lunatic,” leading to wasted effort and potential problems. This concept extended beyond culinary skills to encompass all aspects of life, highlighting the need for informed action and diligent work ethics.

His message extended into the realm of interpersonal relationships, highlighting the importance of faith and dedication. He contrasted the impersonal service received at a hotel with the welcoming hospitality often found in a home.

At a hotel, a simple request for water might be met with indifference or even hostility. However, at home, a similar request is usually met with generosity and warmth. This difference, he explained, lies in the presence of faith and dedication; actions rooted in trust and commitment invariably yield more positive results. Bhagwat concluded by emphasising that such faith and dedication are vital not only for personal fulfilment but also for building strong, harmonious communities and a thriving nation.