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Tributes to a soldier and commander
Address for correspondence: Prof. BK Das, Utkal Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India. E-mail: bkishoredas@yahoo.com
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Maj. Gen. N. Lakshmipathi, VSM – A Stalwart of Nuclear Medicine dedicated to serve the nation, passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2013 in Bangalore.
Maj. Gen. Lakshmipathi was born in 1929 in Chennai. After obtaining MBBS from the Madras University, he joined the Indian Army Medical Services in 1956. Due to his deep interest in radiation sciences and particularly application of radio isotopes in diagnosis and therapy he continued further studies and training and acquired all available qualifications. He joined Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) in 1966 and continued his services till retirement as Maj. General and Director of the Institute in 1986. He along with Brig. Mazumdar was also responsible for starting a university based post-graduate training program in nuclear medicine (University of Delhi) leading to Diploma in Radiation Medicine (DRM) for the first time in the world way back in early sixties.
During his services, INMAS witnessed massive expansion of activities both in proving patient care services as well as research facilities leading to many innovative developments. Under his able leadership INMAS became a Center for Thyroid Research, Integrated Non-invasive Organ Imaging, Radiation Biology Research, thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) based Personal Monitoring of Radiation Workers in Defense Services and Regional Radiopharmaceutical Dispensing Unit of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Within a span of 6 years, he was able to set up almost all available imaging modalities like Rectilinear Scanner, Gamma Camera, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), computed tomography (CT), Ultrasonography, X-ray, Xero- and Ultrasonomammography, Echocardiography with Color Doppler, Thermography, X-ray Mammography and magnetic resonance imaging. There were only a limited number of centers in the world which had such a full spectrum of imaging modalities.
Maj. General Lakshmipathi represented India as a leader of Indian delegation to first Asia and Oceania Congress of Nuclear Medicine and was the Signatory to the Charter of Asia and Oceania Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology. As member of various expert committees of the Government of India as well as other organizations he provided basic inputs for the formulation of various policies regarding the application of Radio Isotopes and helped in the expansion of Nuclear Medicine facilities in the country.
He was instrumental and pioneered many academic organizations and institutions and helped them to grow. He was the Founder Member of the Society of Nuclear Medicine India, Founder of the Indian College of Nuclear Medicine, Founder Editor of Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Founder Member of the Thyroid Association of India. He was Chairman (President) of the Society of Nuclear Medicine India in year 1976 and presided over the 8thAnnual Conference held in Bangalore.
Maj. Gen. Lakshmipathi was totally dedicated to his duties as a Govt. servant and was equally committed to the patients under his care. He dedicated his life not only for the cause of Nuclear Medicine but also served the nation in a much larger sense. Recognizing his contribution to the fraternity, he was conferred with Homi Bhabha Memorial Oration in year 1981 at Srinagar during the 13th annual conference of SNM, India.
We pray our tributes to a soldier, a commander, a leader in true sense. We express our heartfelt condolences to his family. Almighty rest his soul in peace.