I joined Tata Memorial Hospital in 1982 as a young and passionate surgeon determined to find answers to Cancer. Now it is four decades o fight against Cancer. Many memorable events have happened in these years. Meeting JRD Tata and later Ratan Tata were unforgettable. What men and what legacy !!!
All know that The Tata Memorial hospital is commissioned due to the large hearted donation of Sir Dorab Tata who wanted India to have cancer treatment facility. The hospital cared for poor and needy since 1941. Tatas have handed over the hospital to the Dept of Atomic Energy in 1962.
Ratan Tata and the Tata trusts have also started the Tata Medical Centre in Kolkatta.
He was not satisfied as the burden of cancer patients grew and the hospitals were overflowing. The Tata trusts embarked on the distributed cancer care model. I had the privilege being an advisor for the program. It was large and ambitious, to create a net work of cancer centres across the country reaching out to the corners including Assam. The commitment was close to 900 crores.
We travelled together to Assam and Tirupathi to inaugurate the centres. The trip to Tirupathi was memorable as he spoke is his soft voice, the vision to bring cancer care to the remote and rural areas. There was firmness in his resolve. The blue print of plans of Tirupathi centre were shown to him. The architect in him immediately pointed out the flaws in patient flow and the design and asked them to be corrected. He then talked about taking his dog for treatment abroad and how he wanted to create a facility in India. That was the last act of Philanthropy by Ratan Tata.
Sri Late Krishnakumar and Mr Ratan Tata, two of the great corporate leaders travelled together with us. T The sight of them standing together, determined rebuild Taj mahal hotel after the terror attack is vivid in my memory. As we travelled, there was a discussion on competence of Indian doctors, which I stoutly defended and he too agreed that the doctors are excellent but facilities are not world class. The bench marks he had set were high, as India, he believed, can achieve world class standard in health care.
We had Darshan of Lord Venkateshwara, with him dressed in traditional attire, humble and courteous to all. After Lord’s Blessings, the Bhoomi Puja of the cancer centre was performed. Today, it stands an excellent facility for cancer care in Tirupathi. Even in Assam, nearly 10 centres were funded.
We went to Mayo clinic and UC San Diego to see the best institutions and bring the quality of Mayo and the skill centre of UCSD. Skill development was high on his agenda. The plans were all ready to be implemented. But circumstances changed. Many of the ideas and plans remained unfulfilled as the Tata Group would never compromise on the integrity and not succumb to any political pressure.
What is an appropriate tribute to a visionary, the most respected corporate leader, humble soul, animal lover and above all great human being ?
Follow his example of humility and love for country, its people and kindness to animals and those in distress.
We will strive to realise his vision of bringing Cancer care to remote corners using a distributed Cancer care model and technology which he passionately promoted.
