Padma Shri to UP’s Dr Thakral for popularising Ayurvedic surgery

Lucknow: After receiving Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu, Ayurveda surgeon Dr Kewal Krishan Thakral said, “I dedicate this award to my teachers, students and patients as this honour is a recognition of Ayurveda and work of all those who believed in Indian surgical methods. ”

Dr Thakral was honoured for his contribution to medicine, particularly for popularising the ‘Kshar Sutra’ technique for treatment of fistula-in-ano. The technique helped bring Ayurvedic surgery into wider acceptance among patients across the country.

Born on Oct 10, 1936, Dr Thakral completed his BAMS from Lucknow University in 1964 and postgraduation in Shalya from Banaras Hindu University in 1968. During his academic career, he served as lecturer, reader, professor and principal in Ayurvedic colleges of UP.

He also served as dean of the faculty of Ayurveda at Kanpur University from 1990 to 1995 and director of Ayurvedic Services, UP, between 1995 and 1996. Dr Thakral authored 66 research papers, including 12 published in foreign journals, and wrote five books. He was associated with the National Task Force on Kshar Sutra and served as moderator and member of the Central Council of Indian Medicine, New Delhi.

Over the years, he organised 71 service camps and represented India during visits to the USA, Japan, France and Nepal. He also received fellowships including FICA (USA), FAIM (BHU) and fellowship of RAU, New Delhi.

“Recognition at this stage of my life gives me satisfaction that Ayurveda and Kshar Sutra treatment have reached people across the country and I hope more young doctors take forward this tradition with scientific research and patient care,” said Dr Thakral.