Padma Shri 2026 Honours Two Veteran Doctors from Lucknow

Lucknow has emerged as a focal point of national pride as two eminent medical professionals from the city have been conferred the Padma Shri in 2026. The awards recognise decades of dedicated service to medicine, spanning modern pulmonary care and traditional Ayurvedic surgery, and underline the contribution of individual excellence to India’s public health landscape.

Dr Rajendra Prasad’s Legacy in Pulmonary Medicine

Renowned pulmonologist and tuberculosis specialist Dr Rajendra Prasad has been honoured for his lifelong contribution to respiratory medicine. He is widely regarded as the founder of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at King George’s Medical University. Beginning his journey at the institution as a student, he later rose to become Head of the Department, shaping generations of specialists. With nearly five decades of clinical practice, Dr Prasad has emphasised patient-centric care, stressing that empathy and respectful behaviour play a vital role in recovery.

Personal Journey and Professional Values

Dr Prasad has often credited his family for supporting his long medical career. Coming from a modest background, he built a reputation for warmth towards patients and commitment to teaching. His advice to young doctors focuses on ethical conduct, compassion, and continuity of care, especially in chronic diseases such as tuberculosis that demand long-term engagement with patients.

K.K. Thakral and Excellence in Ayurvedic Surgery

Distinguished Shalya Tantra practitioner K.K. Thakral has also received the Padma Shri for his contribution to Ayurvedic surgery. After migrating to India during the Partition of 1947, he pursued rigorous training in Ayurveda, completing his education in Lucknow and Banaras. He later served as a lecturer and professor, while dedicating most of his practice to patients from economically weaker sections. Thakral has consistently highlighted Ayurveda as an affordable and indigenous system of medicine.

Important Facts for Exams

• Padma Shri is India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
• Shalya Tantra refers to surgical practices in Ayurveda.
• KGMU is one of India’s oldest medical universities.
• AYUSH promotes traditional systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, and Unani.

Recognition of Traditional and Modern Healthcare

Thakral has praised the government’s push to promote traditional medicine under the AYUSH framework, supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Together, the honours to Dr Prasad and Thakral reflect a balanced recognition of modern medical science and traditional healthcare systems, reinforcing Lucknow’s enduring contribution to India’s medical heritage.