Distinguished medical professional Dr. Sudharam Rai passes away at 80
Dr. Sudharam Rai, a distinguished medical professional and community leader, passed away. Born on August 19, 1943, into the renowned Bellipady family, Dr. Rai's life was marked by significant contributions to both healthcare and community service.
Dr. Rai received his early education in Puttur and pursued medical studies at Kasturba Medical College in Manipal/Mangalore. During his college years, he was an active student leader, heading the College Union and organizing activities such as marches related to the Pakistan and Chinese border issues and anti-Hindi agitation. He founded the All College Students Union, serving as its first president, a legacy that endures today. An all-rounder, he excelled in sports, becoming the Chess Champion and winning the Mr. KMC title in bodybuilding in 1965.
After qualifying as a doctor, Dr. Rai began his career as an Assistant Surgeon at Govt Wenlock Hospital, Mangalore, and as a part-time Tutor in Surgery at KMC Mangalore in May 1969. His dedication to rural healthcare led him to serve in Jayapura and Balehonnur in Chikmagalur District. During his tenure in Jayapura, he joined the Lions movement and became a Charter Member of the Lions Club of Koppa, which recently celebrated its Golden Jubilee.
In 1976, Dr. Rai pursued higher studies in the United Kingdom during the Emergency period imposed by Mrs. Gandhi. As a junior doctor, he produced a research paper accepted by the World Conference of Psychiatry in 1977, earning him an invitation to be a Co-Chairman. He served in various hospitals in the UK and became a Family Physician/General Practitioner in 1979. Elected Chairman of the British Medical Association, he led nearly 1,000 doctors at the district, regional, and national levels for over 12 years.
Dr. Rai established a pioneering medical complex in Nottinghamshire, including a doctor’s surgery, dental surgery, optician, pharmacy, and shopping centre under one roof, and served as a member of the Parish Council. He also ventured into private enterprise, starting a private school in Nottinghamshire for children aged 5 to 18, which continues to operate. In 1979, he opened his first nursing home, eventually building and operating 15 nursing and residential homes. In 1998, he founded a 34-bed mental hospital, the first of its kind in the UK by a private individual. Dr. Rai was involved in various NHS committees and started a free helpline to support stressed and depressed doctors, helping many of his colleagues.
Dr. Rai served as a part-time Police Surgeon and was part of the Lord Chancellor's Department, assessing compensation for war veterans and social security cases. He also served in the British Army as a Major, working in Hong Kong, Germany, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Kenya, and during the Iraq war, assisting patients with post-traumatic stress syndrome. He was honoured with an invitation from the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to her Jubilee Garden Party, along with his wife. He was an officer of the Magnus Lodge.
After retiring, Dr. Rai returned to Mangalore to serve his community, founding the Global Hospital in 2012. He was instrumental in establishing the Lions Mangalore Centennial Club and, with fellow Lions members, the Tapasya Foundation and Hospice in Mudipu near Mangalore to support terminally ill patients. He also acted in several Kannada and Tulu films, portraying the role of a doctor. He organized the first KMC alumni meeting outside India.
Dr. Rai is survived by his wife Manjula and children Nithin and Neema, who reside in London. The family is involved in various business activities in India and the UK. Dr. Rai's legacy of service, innovative thinking, leadership, and compassion will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.
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Anti-Dalit mindset: Rahul Gandhi slams BJP after leader 'purifies' Rajasthan temple
Ahmedabad (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the BJP of having an "anti-Dalit mindset" after its leader sprinkled Ganga water at a Ram temple in Rajasthan's Alwar to "purify" it following Congress' Tikaram Jully's participation in the consecration ceremony there.
He also asserted that the country will be run by the Constitution and its ideals, not by 'Manusmriti' "which considers Bahujans as second class citizens".
The Congress on Tuesday had accused the BJP of being "anti-Dalit" and demanded an apology from its top leadership after a party leader sprinkled Ganga water at a Ram temple in Alwar to "purify" it following Jully's participation in the consecration ceremony there.
Referring to the incident, Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X, "Another example of BJP's anti-Dalit and Manuvadi thinking! BJP has been continuously insulting Dalits and attacking the Constitution."
"That is why it is important not just to respect the Constitution but also to protect it. Modi Ji, the country will be run by the Constitution and its ideals, not by Manusmriti which considers Bahujans as second class citizens," Gandhi, who is here to attend the AICC aession said.
Congress leaders, including Jully and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, have termed Gyandev Ahuja's act an insult to Dalits, but the BJP leader denied the charge.
Maintaining that there was no caste angle to his act, Ahuja, however, defended his action, saying Congress leaders have "no moral authority" to attend such ceremonies as the party's leadership had questioned the existence of Lord Ram and "boycotted" the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya last year.
The consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in a residential society of Alwar was held on Sunday on the occasion of Ram Navami and Jully was in attendance.
On Monday, Ahuja said the consecration ceremony was a "good programme", but there were some "discrepancies".
"I went there today and sprinkled Ganga water to purify the temple premises," he told reporters in Alwar.
"The Congress' former president Sonia Gandhi had got affidavits submitted in court, calling Lord Ram mythical. Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi boycotted the historic Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. So the party leaders have no moral authority to attend such programmes," he said.
When contacted, Ahuja told PTI that he took the step because of Congress leaders' view and approach towards Lord Ram and not because Jully is a "Dalit".
Jully, on the other hand, claimed that Ahuja's act was indicative of the BJP's mentality towards Dalits. He claimed it was not only an attack on his faith but also an effort to promote the crime of untouchability.
