Bhubaneswar, Dec 5 (LatestNewsX) – President Droupadi Murmu praised 100‑year‑old Berhampur‑native Dr. K. Lakshmi Bai on Friday for her extraordinary gift: a Rs 3.4 crore donation of her lifelong savings to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, earmarked for research into gynaecological cancers.
In her message, the President said, “This is a very significant step towards women’s empowerment, and I deeply appreciate your thoughtful gesture. Governments are working to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to all. I am confident that the participation of generous citizens like you will inspire others to come forward and support the government’s initiatives.”
“I understand that you have always worked for the empowerment of girls and women during about four decades long career. Your life is a shining example of how education can benefit an individual, and who in turn can bring positive changes in society,” Murmu further added.
Dr. Lakshmi Bai, the oldest practising woman doctor from Brahmapur, stirred discussion across Odisha when she announced that her centenary celebration would be marked by this self‑funded contribution.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar confirmed the generosity in an official statement: “AIIMS Bhubaneswar has been honoured with an extraordinary gesture of trust and benevolence as celebrated Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Prof. K. Laxmi Bai, on the occasion of her centenary birthday, donated Rs 3.4 crore of her self‑earned savings to the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of the national institute.”
Dr. Bai’s career began with the inaugural cohort of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, in 1945; she received her MBBS in 1950 and started as a government physician in Sundargarh. She later held professorships in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Burla, Cuttack, and Brahmapur medical colleges before retiring. She was the first woman doctor in Odisha to master laparoscopic surgery and also completed advanced training in women’s health in the United States.
Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas praised the donation: “Prof. K. Laxmi Bai’s extraordinary gesture is not only a blessing but a powerful acknowledgement of AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s continual efforts in high‑quality patient care, medical education, and advanced research.”
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